Grimmspeed hood strut review

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by GrimmSpeed

I'd have to strongly agree. My FXT loves those hood struts too, with the amount of time I have to spend under there :P

Yep, I just built a 4awg charge and ground harness for the PC925 after chasing a grounding gremlin. These hood struts honestly made a world of difference working back by the starter area!

Only issue I had was the drivers side fender bolt snapping, I ended up having to drill it out, and helicoil it. It wasn't super stable, so I shortened the helicoil on the backside and added a washer and nut to distribute the force since they don't have a larger bracket like the BRZ does. I'd like to see them updated with a longer bracket to a second hole to avoid this, but the other side does seem very rigid, (and even held the hood no problem while doing the helicoil work!)

Suffice to say, I love how the BRZ has a long bracket, I'd like to see that implemented on your other kits!

[GrimmSpeed]

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

Yep, I just built a 4awg charge and ground harness for the PC925 after chasing a grounding gremlin. These hood struts honestly made a world of difference working back by the starter area!

Only issue I had was the drivers side fender bolt snapping, I ended up having to drill it out, and helicoil it. It wasn't super stable, so I shortened the helicoil on the backside and added a washer and nut to distribute the force since they don't have a larger bracket like the BRZ does. I'd like to see them updated with a longer bracket to a second hole to avoid this, but the other side does seem very rigid, (and even held the hood no problem while doing the helicoil work!)

Suffice to say, I love how the BRZ has a long bracket, I'd like to see that implemented on your other kits!

Trust me, if there had been any room for a larger bracket I would have done it. We're already pushing the limit of what we can put in that area. With the hood closed I think there is about an eighth inch of space above and below the strut, which was already a pain in the butt to get in there in the first place :P

But I'm comfortable with the choice of the fender mount. We have had nearly the same fender mount design (and ball stud) out for the GD chassis for about 3-4 years before we released the SG hood struts. The GD chassis design even requires higher force struts due so of the GD cars having steel hoods heavier hoods, putting more force on the ball studs. Not a single failure to date either. The reason the bolt snapped (very common unfortunately), and some other companies fender mounts snap is that they corrode and weaken/get stuck. Tein's design was very well known for this. That is why we manufacture our own ball studs for that connection, cut from billet stainless.

We literally try and think of everything, and test stuff out for months before anyone can get their hands on it.

BTW, I'm jelly of that 6speed. Mine is an 04, and the 4.44s on the highway get old fast!

Chase
Engineering

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by GrimmSpeed

Trust me, if there had been any room for a larger bracket I would have done it. We're already pushing the limit of what we can put in that area. With the hood closed I think there is about an eighth inch of space above and below the strut, which was already a pain in the butt to get in there in the first place :P

But I'm comfortable with the choice of the fender mount. We have had nearly the same fender mount design (and ball stud) out for the GD chassis for about 3-4 years before we released the SG hood struts. The GD chassis design even requires higher force struts due so of the GD cars having steel hoods heavier hoods, putting more force on the ball studs. Not a single failure to date either. The reason the bolt snapped (very common unfortunately), and some other companies fender mounts snap is that they corrode and weaken/get stuck. Tein's design was very well known for this. That is why we manufacture our own ball studs for that connection, cut from billet stainless.

We literally try and think of everything, and test stuff out for months before anyone can get their hands on it.

BTW, I'm jelly of that 6speed. Mine is an 04, and the 4.44s on the highway get old fast!

Chase
Engineering

I noticed the quality of the ball stud, it's wicked! That makes sense about the room. I've thought about a thin plate between the frame and fender to fake it. If that helicoil fails I'll redo it all nuclear option like, (weld a nut to the underside.)

It's obvious how much thought goes into it, and I appreciate the effort. It makes sense that there isn't much room left!

Mine is an 05, so it had the same 4.44 FD stock. It made it a total stoplight rocket, but I got a great deal on a blown motor full STi swapped and built RS with the 04 STi trans, R180, etc. Love me some 1-2 shifts