Adding accessories to your Miata can be both frustrating and rewarding at the same time. Installing a fiberglass, or carbon fiber hood for example, will add a dramatic look and style that guarantees attention where ever you travel. But having such a hood also creates a possible safety hazard should the hood latch become weak or brittle due to extensive use and vibration. The last thing you want to see is your expensive hood flying off your car doing 70 MPH. June’s Tip of the Month deals with this problem. Hood pin installation.

There are a couple of choices for installation points and a dozen types of hood pins from which to choose. For this project I selected the chrome slider-style hood pin kit from Sparco for it’s quality finish and hardware. Before getting started you’ll need the following items.

Hood Pin Kit
Power Drill
Drill Bits
Eye Protection
Nerves and Patience

Start by securing your vehicle on a smooth surface. For hood pin placement I decided to install the pins towards the front near the side of the headlights. There are two rubber stoppers that if removed will provide an ideal mounting point. Another set of stoppers are located behind each headlight bucket. This also makes a good mounting location. Once you select your location begin by removing the stoppers. Place one nut and washer on each pin and slip the pins though the holes and secure with the bottom nuts/washers. Tighten down enough to rest the hood on the pins. With a dab of paint place a mark on the top of each pin to transfer the marks under the hood. Cover the engine bay with newspaper so the shavings can be easily cleaned up. Drill a small pilot hole first to insure the pins are aligned properly. Now drill the larger holes for both pins and lock the hood in place. Adjust both pins so that they protrude just above the hood. Once you have the pins at the proper height fasten the pin plates to the top of hood with the screws provided.