Seibon CF Hood/Aerocatch Latch Install

sandersd

I tried bending the pin in an effort to align with the slot in the latch but as can be seen in the second pic even though it fit (sorta) in the slot the angle of the bend was the opposite of what it needed to be for the pin to engage. It was way beyond the 5 degree max specified by Aerocatch.

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Next I slotted the pin mounting hole and moved the pin as far back as it would go without a clipped washer. Then I rotated the pin 180 degrees so the bent portion faced forward instead of rearward. Close but not quite enough but at least the angle was now correct.

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I removed the latch, flipped it over, and used a Dremel to grind off a small lip at the bottom of the pin opening. Then I took a round and flat file and cleaned up the opening making sure all was smooth.

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I test fitted and tweaked several times and the pin finally seated and latched. The pin is aligned with the 5 degree spec. Now I have to do the other side.

Regarding the supplied rubber bumpers: they are suppose to fit over the pin and the base of the latch rests on the bumper with a light compression required to close the latch. This is so the bumper carries the load. It seems the bumpers should support a more structurally rigid part of the hood as opposed to just the upper skin. Remember the reinforcing second layer of cf was cut out to install the pin and latch. The skin is very flexible and I'm wondering if continuous vibration and bumps may cause the cf to crack. If the bumpers rested against the reinforced section like the OEM bumpers I would be more confident.

At any rate the supplied bumpers are suppose to be cut down to size but they're not long enough to reach the latch much less cut down to size. I'm going to Home Depot to look for something I can use as a spacer.

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2014 370Z NISMO -- HKS Hi-Power Exhaust -- Swift Springs -- BC ER Coilovers -- SPL Suspension Components -- Nismo R-Tune Intake -- Seibon BD CF Hood