Well I posted this in appearance/cosmetic and I don't think it was helping anyone so here it is...

Aerocatch plus flush locking hood pins ($83 @ jhpusa.com
Estimated time: 3-4 hours depending on how brave you are cutting through carbon fiber!
Tools needed: Drill with multiple bits up to 1/4", Dremel with cutting wheel, tape, safety glasses (fiberglass goes everywhere), allen wrench and small socket/open end wrench (can't remember the sizes)

Car: 95 Honda Civic HB




I first started by placing the pin in the hole between the headlight brackets:

Next I put some toothpaste on top of the pin and close the hood so I could get an idea of where to drill the hole.


I recommend putting a towel down so you don't get all the fiberglass and dust everywhere.

Next tape the top of the hood to prevent cracking.

Now start drilling where you marked your hole..start with a small bit and move on to a larger one..I think the final hole was 1/4"


Next I placed the hood locking piece on top of the hood and got the right angle I wanted (I was trying to make it flow with the headlights) and then I used the supplied template to get the measurements.


Here is the scariest part...go slow!!! Start cutting with the dremel!

Once you have the piece in..mark the 6 holes where you want to drill for the supplied bolts.



Tighten up the six bolts and nuts and adjust the hood pins so they fit correctly and BAM! One side done! Follow the same directions for the other side.

NOTE: I had to trim the hood pin because it was hitting the back of the headlight.

FINISHED!






This is my first write up so be nice! Hope this helps everybody!
Also want to thank my girlfriend for helping me out!

 

nice write up!

 

Thanks...hopefully someone can use this!

 

thanks i was going to do this to my oem hood first b4 doind to a carbon hood but, i think i can handle it now lol.

 

i would still practice on oem... to expensive to risk

 

bump for a DIY

 

Awesome Write-up! I have always wanted to learn a little bit more about those hood pins

 

wow i would be scared to touch that hood with a drill one slip and you could be crying.
looks excellent though.

 

more pix of sexy hands plz.

kthxbye

 

Nice work! I have mine installed in the exact same orientation:

However, I live in the rust belt so I replaced the rust happy hardware with FULL stainless rivets.

 

pretty cool.. Im wondering if a cop could legally get you to pop your hood if he pulls you over. If so then maybe you can say you dont have the key..

 

Someone explain why hood pins give a cop the right to pop your hood, but an OEM latch makes it forbidden? What if you have both? What if you have hood pins purely because your latch mechanism is busted or you modified the radiator support for some odd reason?

 

^^^ i think raidacapo was wondering if that excuse, "i dont have the key" would work on a cop.
He's not saying you would get your hood popped BECAUSE of the hood locks.

 

exacto!

 

Good write up too.
Maybe people that do this should try a step up drill bit instead of several different sizes.

 

BUMP for a nice DIY

 

Its really not too bad..just measure twice cut once!! And I worked with what tools I have so there's obviously some tools that might be a lot quicker/easier.

 

Sorry officer I grabbed the key to my trunk instead of the key for my hood pins it wont happen again I promise"...lolz

 

Pm's replied

 

Very nice. Once I get my good next spring ill be doing this.

 

bumpweasel has occurred.

 

i just did mine and it looks amazing but question did you guys leave your latch or take it off?

 

i left my oem latch why not have both make it that much harder

 

I was thinking the same thing.. im going to do this on my gutted stock hood its flapping around too much for comfort & will leave the OEM latch on and take pics..

 

Nice writeup man. Still scared to do it myself though.
---I mess up a CF hood---whoops there goes a quick $300.
---Body shop messes up a CF hood---I get a new CF hood on them.

No, then they wait for someone to bring the key, or better yet, get a warrant to search your engine bay due to "probable cause" and break your latches/hood trying to get it open. If a cop asks you to pop your hood, just cooperate and make things easier on yourself. If they want to look under there, they will.