BRZ/FR-S Hood Struts - Any Interest?

[GrimmSpeed]

Hey everyone, we just released our video of how the hood handles with our design vs "Brand X." What the video shows is: Popping the hood, feeling and bringing the hood to a neutral position, lifting the hood to its full natural extension, bringing the hood down the neutral position, and then closing the hood.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEmVNpBaUGQ"]GrimmSpeed Engineering - FT86 Hood Strut Testing - YouTube[/ame]


What we're trying to show here about our design: How much easier it is to find the neutral position, how easy it is to open after this position, how much higher up it opens, and that the hood still closes from a "drop," as opposed to having to push it down a few times to get it to latch.

We're going to keep working on this project, so keep those questions and comments coming, and I'll get back to everyone ASAP.

Chase
Engineering

[SubaSteve]

The only thing that I'm worried about are the installation instructions. I've seen in other threads where people buy the product and install it wrong. Now the vendor shouldn't have to explain how it should be installed. The instructions on an item like this should be very clear.

I had seen somewhere a user had their ball join break on them what are you doing to prevent such things as this from happening?

[civicdrivr]

Knowing Grimmspeed, the instructions will be very clear.

Originally I wasn't keen on getting hood struts, but the video above sold me on them. The hood opens high with them and you can still close it from a drop - those are the two reasons I was sticking with the prop rod.

[2point0]

Does it come with the awesome coat?

[GrimmSpeed]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

Would color matching be an option? The color of the strut matches the car's color.
or even just another color such as red since this car is full of red.

I love the idea of color matching, but it would make this prohibitively expensive. One of my favorite sets of hood struts is for a different car, and is color matched to the body color. The end result looks awesome, but comes in at nearly 200 dollars. For that kind of money you could purchase our kit, and then paint it to match or accent whatever you wanted.

Originally Posted by 2point0

Very interested! I've been hoping to see an option from redline tuning but haven't heard anything about that in months. I have no experience with them, just decent reviews and $70 price tag (referencing the GD Subaru products).

I liked the fact that theirs would lift the hood, but since yours does that as well, I'd have no hesitation in going with GS based on features. I'm really impressed with the information you've disclosed already, and would be happy to own a set of OEM-looking hood struts from GS. Don't need no bling here. I could always paint them myself if I really wanted to (got a can of WRB sitting around).

I just hope the price is doable for me. Not that your products don't look totally awesome, I'm just not the guy who can spend a C-note on something like an oil cap (that 86 logo is pretty damned sweet).

Thank you very much, and I couldn't have said it better myself! Also, know that I'm working hard to keep the price down. So far, I'm extremely thrilled with what we're able to offer for the price we're looking to offer it at.

Originally Posted by whataboutbob

@GrimmSpeed,

I have a set of the struts from "brand X" too. The dampers seem fine, but the generic mounts really suck. Any chance your properly designed mounts could be sold separate from your dampers so those of us who have already purchased dampers could benefit from a properly designed set of mounts? Please.

Unfortunately, since our design is substantially different we can not. Our dampers have a longer stroke, and thus are physically longer. Plus, if you used our dampers, and then used theirs, you would probably change your opinion of them.

Originally Posted by Anduz

another aussie watching the development of this part different colour ones will definitely be fun, but I see my self sticking with the matte black

I would too, but I'm a sucker for subtlety!

Originally Posted by PMok

GrimmSpeed, I am watching with interest. I have been concerned that the other products available aren't quality products that actually improve the hood prop function. One issue I would be concerned about is handling a windy environment with the hood open. I hope you'll do some testing with your design to make sure that a reasonable amount of wind won't overwhelm the struts and cause some unintended effects? Sure, in a hurricane gust all bets are off, but I want at least OEM levels of safety here.

We certainly will be testing for wind. As it starts to get nasty out here in Minnesota I've been going out to test under real world circumstances, but I'm working at a method that will show much how much wind it will take to push it over, so I can give you something quantifiable other than saying "I've been using it outside, and its safe."

Originally Posted by SubaSteve

The only thing that I'm worried about are the installation instructions. I've seen in other threads where people buy the product and install it wrong. Now the vendor shouldn't have to explain how it should be installed. The instructions on an item like this should be very clear.

I had seen somewhere a user had their ball join break on them what are you doing to prevent such things as this from happening?

No need to worry, there will absolutely be installation instructions. I can guarantee that they will be clear, concise, and contain tricks that I use to make installation simple, safe, and quick. If you're the least bit concerned about anything let this put you at ease:

The person who designed this kit is the same person who will be creating the installation instructions, so you know they have a 100% understanding on the product, its functions, how it was designed to function, and how it was designed to be assembled and installed. In fact, its the same person who is writing this post right now: Me. IF for some reason any part of the instructions are unclear, you can personally contact ME. Try that with one of the other guys' kits.

Originally Posted by civicdrivr

Knowing Grimmspeed, the instructions will be very clear.

Originally I wasn't keen on getting hood struts, but the video above sold me on them. The hood opens high with them and you can still close it from a drop - those are the two reasons I was sticking with the prop rod.

Thank you very much! Meeting the "close from a drop" criteria is VERY difficult, but it was important. I mean, granted I always look like a dork, but look at how much bigger of a dork I look like when the hood doesn't shut the first time I try with "Brand X." I'm pretty sure I heard a random person passing by shout, "Hey, way to shut your hood poindexter!" Do you want that to happen to you!?!?!

Originally Posted by 2point0

Does it come with the awesome coat?

Bahahahahaha, it does not. Maybe a group buy?

Chase
Engineering

[2point0]

Originally Posted by GrimmSpeed

"Hey, way to shut your hood poindexter!" Do you want that to happen to you!?!?!

That just made my morning.

[Lee358]

Im sold! On the jacket group buy!


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[whataboutbob]

I'm in on this.

I'll have a set of "brand x" dampers on sale at some point in the future.

[flatline]

Having never installed a hood damper/strut before... is this a mod that requires drilling or anything, or is it strictly bolt-on?

[boredom.is.me]

Originally Posted by flatline

Having never installed a hood damper/strut before... is this a mod that requires drilling or anything, or is it strictly bolt-on?

It really depends on the car and the manufacturer/designer. This one will be a bolt on.

[GrimmSpeed]

Originally Posted by flatline

Having never installed a hood damper/strut before... is this a mod that requires drilling or anything, or is it strictly bolt-on?

Great question, and this is something that I'm embarrassed that I have not been more explicit about, as it is a major selling point:

There is no drilling, cutting, etc involved, these bolt right on, and are completely reversible. This was our #1 criteria for this product. This ensures that installation is quick and easy, and that everything works perfectly and as intended right out of the box.

Chase
Engineering

[lbroskee]

any ETA on them yet?

[GrimmSpeed]

Originally Posted by lbroskee

any ETA on them yet?

If everything keeps rolling along smoothly here, it'll be next month.

Chase
Engineering

[rupert]

I'm in for another great GS product!