boowana

From time to time, I am given information which I am happy to pass on to the group.

The hood on the RX-8 will open the conventional way. That is, it will be hinged at the windshield rather than opening up from the front.

I know this is not the "cool" way or frankly, the one that makes sense when considering engine baqy service, however it is done to facilitate insurance requirements.

The good news is that this will contribute to keeping insurance rates down, which in the end, is good for all.:p

Fred Bird Jr.

I'd be more interested in knowing when it comes to any hood if it's kept open by a prop rod or springs or pistons?

FritzMan

In their effort to save weight and improve performance, I imagine it's safe to assume it's an aluminum hood much like the FD eh?

KrisA

prop rod please. I don't care for struts, keep it simple stupid I like to say.

Hercules

I hope that the hood opens with the hydralic lifts.. I always find it cheezy to put the prop rod in there.

rototlewski

I always just lay the hood back against the windshield ( If the hood permits that is) Much better access and no chance of knocking the prop out, good light too.

The prop is cool help save weight I always found the hydr hood pistons cheesy, its like the new tape decks ( you know how good they are by how slow the deck opens)

babylou

Lets see here:

Prop Rods; cheap, light, never will wear out and partial work interference on one side of engine bay.
Gas struts; expensive, heavy, last about three years and partial work interference on both sides of engine bay. Same people that like "luxury" features like power antenna want struts.

I'll take a prop rod. If you want gadgets go buy a Merc.

Grimace

Prop rods for the reasons stated above (plus it keeps cost down).

Boowana, where are you getting all your insider info? :D Are you an international spy, work for Mazda, etc.? If its the latter, can you get me a job? I'm only half joking...

boowana

Unfortunately, I cannot reveale my source(s) for obvious reasons and I do not work for Mazda. I have promised not to reveal anything without their agreement in the hope that shortly, I will be able to tell more. I can tell you that when I am allowed to giveout more information, it will be absolutely accurate.

Grimace

Well Boo, I'm sure we can all respect that. Just make sure to post info here the second you are given the OK!

(Or email it to me, I can keep a secret :D )

ZoomZoom

We all can keep secrets in here. :D

Sputnik

How does hinging the hood at the windshield save insurance over a hood that hinges in front? Isn't a front-hinged hood less likely to fly up in the event of a latch failure?

---jps

Toadman

Rear-hinged hoods have metal hooks on each side to catch the hood crumple in a frontal collision. Otherwise you get the "horizontal guillotine" effect.

RX7 Guy

Prop Rod for me please…If you want Gas Struts, go buy a Escapade or Extortion or some other wildly excessive pig like that. One thing I’d like to see though is a Prop Rod retaining clip that won’t break. I occasionally visit my local Pick-A-Part to scrounge goodies for my ’87 RX-7 and have yet to find a Prop Rod retaining clip that isn’t broken. This isn’t unique to RX-7’s in particular or even Mazda’s in general…You can’t find a good clip in the whole darn yard.

Sputnik

Well, I don't know about the "hooks", but the fact that the "hinged" end is much more connected to the car than the "latched" end makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

---jps