Seibon CF Hood/Aerocatch Latch Install

sandersd

From Aerocatch support:

"I must advise that the aluminium pins must not be bent at all as doing so will lead to failure. You must make the fixing point of the pin suit the angle required or alternatively you can remove a little of the moulded material around the pin entry to obtain a good closure. We must stress on no account bend aluminium pins."

I have to order replacement pins from Coast Fabrication, their US distributor and come up with a different mounting scenario. It would be easier I think if the holes in the hood were not already cut, then I could use a beveled washer to cant the pins, but I think I can come up with something that'll work.

I sketched this up to go where the pin is mounted now:

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I think if I use 16 ga plate I can TIG weld a compact angled mount. Wish me luck.

BTW does anyone know why the forum software continually rotates the pics 90 degrees counterclockwise and more importantly, how to stop it?

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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

Rusty

Nice going so far. This is the hood I want! What is the name of it? and who did you get it from?

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sandersd

Seibon BD

They sent me to their authorized dealer THMotorsports

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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

sandersd

I finished all the loose ends on my hood months ago but never posted the pics and descriptions so here they are for the record and the sake of completion:

Prior to painting the hood I wanted to prep it for the weather seal and washer install. The CF hood had dimples, small indentations for drill points, so that made locating the holes easy. Nevertheless I laid out the seal and taped it into position, then marked the holes to verify the location - the dimples were all accurate.

Seal laid out:
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The large circular hole near the latch is where the hood pin penetrates:
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Holes all drilled:
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Be sure to use a drill stop. The CF sucks the bit in as soon as it penetrates the inner layer of CF and you don't want it to continue through the outer finished layer of the hood. the finished layer, the side that's exposed, is very thin.
IMG_1216.JPG

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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

sandersd

After the hood was painted I attached the seal with the provided pins. BTW I purchased an OEM replacement for the seal and the washers. I left the originals attached to the factory hood in case I ever wanted to sell or reinstall it.

Here is where the Seibon hood provided for the attachment of the washer hose clips:
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Here are the washer hose clips:
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The clips are designed to fit into a square hole. Unfortunately I couldn't find my square drill bit and Home Depot was out so I had to find another way to attach them. After scheming for a couple of weeks on how to cleanly install the clips and coming up with nothing that satisfied my standards of excellence, I just happened to find a package of adhesive wire tie clips on my workbench. The bells started ringing and the lights started flashing and I realized it was the perfect way to attach the clips.

I'll add a pic tomorrow for clarity.

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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

sandersd

The washers were designed to snap into a square hole in the OEM 22ga sheetmetal hood but the cf of the Seibon was necessarily much thicker. The latches would not engage properly to hold the washers securely in place and they would fall out with a gentle nudge.

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So I fabbed a set of plates from 22ga sheetmetal purchased from Tractor Supply. I cut them out with a grinder, used a drill and Dremel for the square openings and did the final fit with a file. There is not much room from too tight to it falls right out so make the hole a little small and file it up to size, checking often. I had to toss one and remake it. Then I painted it with self-etching primer and several coats of enamel.

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After carefully locating and drilling the holes I used a pop rivet gun to install the plates. Make sure the angle the plates are installed at matches the angle the OEM hood uses or the washers will not spray in the right spot. I had to redrill to adjust the driver side to the proper angle.
IMG_1522.JPG

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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

sandersd

Before paint for those that prefer the all CF look:

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After paint for the custom look:

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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

Wonka2581

Awesome wright up!!!

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"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat""Winston Churchill"

sandersd

Welded these up as a prototype. They're too big to actually use but serve for planning purposes.

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If I had it to do again I would use something like this mounted to the crossmember, install the pins at the proper angle and then locate the holes in the CF hood. What I have, although not recommended and less than ideal, works so 'if it ain't broke - don't fix it'. I will however inspect the pins regularly for signs of failure. I have spare carbon steel pins that are bendable to use as replacements if I have to.

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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

Wonka2581

I ordered the VIS CF hood... I cant wait to get it, Im still debating on weather or not im going to go with hood pins or not.

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"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat""Winston Churchill"