Thanks for the pics!

Just one question: from the last shot, it appears the struts push the hood up a little bit (there's more gap than usual). Is that the case, or is the hood not completely closed?
Or is it just the angle of the pic?

 

All of the above.... (Hood was closed)
That’s the reason I posted the picture.
Seems like the "bracket" lifts the hood up a bit.
Tein calls it a structural problem… says so in the instructions.

You have good eyes

 

That is insane!

It lifts the hood, like 1/4" at the hinges!

You can see why in the second picture....they put the metal plate between the hood and the hood bracket - obviously that will lift it at the windshield. Amateurs! :D :D

S

 

That hood lifting when closed looks awful Now I wish I hadn't ordered them....I guess they weren't really designed (or poorly designed) for the 8 if they push the hood up like that?

Do you think there is any solution? ...maybe some adjustment? cut some of the mounting plate something like that?

 

One way to avoid that would be to have a bracket that goes over the factory bracket. In that case however, the strut bracket would be more complicated to manufacture (not just a simple rectangular footprint). You have to push out the pivot point of the strut towards the edge of the hood because otherwise you end up with clearance problems at the underhood rubber seal (located a few inches towards the front of the car). When the hood is closed, you'll want the strut to lay beside this seal, not over it.
In other words, the bracket needs to be sort of "P" shaped. Also, if you mount it over the factory bracket, you have to support it's underside so that it rests against the hood, because if you have a gap between it and the hood, it will flex.
(yes, I tinkered with this already a bit, but still didn't complete my own fabrication yet).

 

These are newer, showed from above and the side of the car.

 

How about this. Cut a slot out of the bracket to allow the original hood bracket to fit through when the bracket is slid on top (really the down side) of the existing bracket. This would eliminate the additional height.

 

Wow, that makes me think about it a little more. Hopefully they can work the kinks out. I’d hate to buy something and then have to mod it.

Bob

 

Yep, something like that would work. Although cutting a slot may not make much sense - you could cut off the piece that is towards the outer edge of the hood, because it won't have any role. Hence the "P" shape I mentioned. Plus you'd have to put a shim under the custom bracket to make it not to flex where the stock bracket ends.
BUT - the idea of buying this set and paying $113 plus shipping for it is to have a bolt-on piece in 20 minutes.
If you have to buy the thing and then go at it with your hacksaw, that almost negates the advantage... In that case, it may be a bit better to buy the struts, four threaded ball studs and two pieces of sheetmetal, and start fabricating - which you would have to do anyway if you want to modify the TEIN brackets.
Now, if TEIN would choose to mod their brackets, that'd be the best solution.

 

Will give it a shot this weekend,
Keep you guys posted!
Need to install a RB Ram duct Thursday first.

 

Interesting....now that it's been mentioned, there is a very slight rise in the hood at the windscreen, but hardly noticeable...see the attached.

 

Hey Modena, any update on the lifting hood? Genesis's doesn't look too bad. Can't even see it on his pic, may be the angle.

 

You can just see the green dampers if your at the right angle while the hood is closed. Modena's earlier pic captures that. I was only pointing out that yes, there is a slight rise in the hood due to the bracket, no question about it, but it's just not something that is really noticeable from day to day. In fact, I really like this little mod, every time I open my hood So Modena...did you keep yours and if so, have you found a solution?

 

Yes kept mine and removed the OEM hood stand
Got used to it now and kind of like the Green dampers look even when the hood is closed.
You need to look at it from an angle, but the color matches my coilovers.
It is possible to change the brackets, but that might be a winter project!
Dealer was impressed when he opened the hood; his face was priceless when he was looking for the hood prop....

 

well you're one up on me, I haven't removed the OEM hood stand yet!

 

I've got the OEM hood struts from Mazda, they are great - for a car that your under the hood checking the oil so often, they should have been standard. Anyway, here's the mouting points and brackets that they come with - no increase in panel gap over stock. (Last pic a bit out of focus / shaky as its getting dark here and had to use a 2 second exposure!)

 

How much for the euro struts?

 

I think they are £115 from Mazda dealers, I say think as I got them for free as a replacement when my 8th Illuminated stick went bad! They even replaced it with number 9 which has just fallen apart again!

Check on ebay at items for sale in Europe, as they come up quite a bit and usually go for about £50

 

that sucks you can see the tein hood prop

 

dang i wasn't even aware they had hood sturts standard in europe (or as an option)

p.s. yes thread back from the dead. LOL

 

bump

 

WOW, talk about a thread from the dead. I had to go back to see who started it and it was me. Well. I am happy to say I have them on my 8 and am very pleased. It was a very easy mod and as far as the hood gap thing goes, I think the size of the gap didn't change that much. It's just that the damper is so close to the edge that you can see it a bit. But it doesn't bother me at all. It's worth it not to have that prop rod any more.

Bob

 

damn, now i want the Mazda European Hood Struts.
Do any of our vendors here sell them?

-hS

 

Little off topic here, but there is a prototype 8 on "Modern Marvels Rotary Engine." The hood opened reverse like an 18 wheeler. It looked great but got scrapped I guess. I would love to do this but probably too difficult to engineer.

 

I revived the thread cuz i just put them on myself yesterday.....now I already had a little gap because of the CF Seibon KS hood....i dont think the gap is bigger...it just looks that way cuz now I can see the damper....but they do work really well...
I think it will have to grow on me just the like hood....