Hey folks,

I was delighted to recieve my stainless steel hood shock set from 350ZTN earlier this week. Earlier this evening I installed the kit with the help of my friend (and user of this forum) MPOWERS.

I don't have any photos yet, but I am going to make a short video tomorrow showing how well they work.

Installation took less than an hour with the most time consuming part being the cutting of the plastic covers.

Here are my thoughts about the kit, after having installed it successfully:

1.) Easy to follow instructions! Good job

2.) A Dremel is very necessary for cutting the plastic -- it is decievingly tough and thick in some places. The edges of the cuts are still a little rough, I think I'm going to sand them down and use some some rubber/vinyl edgeliner to make it look more professional. I am also going to paint the brackets Silverstone to make them match the car a bit better.

3.) After installing them and closing the hood, it seems as if the bracket mounted on the inner fender (NOT THE HOOD) is causing a slight bulge that is visible when the hood is closed. I am not certain...it could be visual. If it is there, it's less than 1mm.

Overall I am very impressed -- the hood (open) looks different now for some reason, and to see the shocks propping it up like that is pretty cool Definitely a certifiable sub $100 mod! I just wished my engine bay looked nicer than it does so I'd have something to show off...

I will follow up with a short video clip tomorrow...

 

what is the effort like on closing?

the idea is awesome, I looked at it 2 months ago but didnt see a way, I didnt think of trimming it.

my concern is that you have hot and cold seasons, and you need enough power to keep the hood up in the winter, and not too much power as you risk flexing the hood trying to close it in the summer.

basicly what Im asking is does it feel pretty well weighted as far as staying open and closing without excessive force.

 

When the hood is about 2 feet from being closed gravity takes in, defeats the shocks, and the hood swings shut on its own.

You are really underestimating..even though the hood weighs very little (aluminum) becuase the weight force is distributed along one edge (where the shocks meet) it is actually quite heavy. the shocks don't spring up quickly or anything.

 

can you adjust the positioning of the shocks?...that would enable you to get the hood more flush on the problem side...i really like the idea but i want the hood to be flush like it is now

 

I just went out and looked again and have come to the conclusion that it's just my imagination acting up. I got a very precise ruler and measured the panel gap against another Z, it's exactly the same. Will post the video in a bit.

 

I installed mine on Friday. My avatar shows a small picture of the car with them on. The hood opens and closes like normal. Now you don't have to use the rod to hold the hood open. Clean...very clean!

 

that sounds great, have to add that to my list of non bank breaking mods to do.

 

TRUBLU...looks real good.
And syf0n thanks for the great review! If there was a bulge Road Warriors response was correct, you would need to move the fender brackets a little further towards the headlight, a 1/32 or 1/16 at a time, it wouldn't take much. But I'm glad it was your imagination
PM me a link to the video when you get it hosted.
And for those of you thinking about getting a set PM me as well, the price is $69 shipped to your door!

 

great, i do think it looks much better than stock....gonna have to add this one to my mod list....can't beat that price either, eh