After reading the awesome review of thespeedline.com genwin hood strut kit by @SharksInSpace I decided to try out the genpu kit for my speed. for $67.40 shipped to my door they're relatively inexpensive and arrived after only 4 days from Taiwan!
The instructions that come with it are pretty awful so here's the basics:
1. Open the hood and support with ye old factory prop rod.
2. Remove the rear-most bolt from the hood hinge and re-install it using the supplied washer and bracket (marked L for driver side, R for passenger if you're in the US).
3. Remove the front-most fender bolt (should be near the headlight) and install the supplied small bolt, washer and bracket.
4. Prepare the dampers for install - This part was completely missing from the included instructions so if you're installing this it should save you some time. You need to actuate the dampers (an inch or two is fine) by hand since sometimes they get stuck if they've been sitting for a long time or if they are never actuated by the factory. I held the damper by the body and pushed the other end into a 4x4 block of wood. Finally add some grease to the ball sockets so they don't fill with water and corrode or freeze. I used Napa Sil-Glyde (silicone grease) for mine but really probably anything that's somewhat water resistant is fine.
5. Attach the dampers to the hood hinge brackets. You can usually just push these on with a little persuasion but if its too difficult you can use a small flat head screwdriver to pry the metal clip up about 1/8" from the back of the ball socket and get it to pop on.
6. Moment of truth time! Support the hood with your hand and put the factory prop rod back into its storage position. raise the hood until the damper socket lines up with the ball stud on the fender and wiggle it on there. Repeat for the other side.
7. Double check that everything clears ok by slowly lowering the hood and listening and watching for areas with tight clearances (notably the windshield cowling and rear hood seal. But if everything is good cycle the hood open and closed a few times to make sure the dampers are operating ok and enjoy.
Overall its pretty nice kit; you don't have to drill any holes in your hood, it opens a little further (5.3 degrees according to my cheap angle gauge) and its relatively cheap.
On the slight downside though, compared to oem hood dampers (usually full height in 1-3 seconds) these are pretty slow and can take 10-15 seconds to reach full height if you raise them only to the point where they support themselves. They may speed up after using them a few times. I'll update this review in a month or so if I see any improvement.
If you're thinking about getting a set, go for it and pickup any other goodies you like there since shipping is a killer.
The instructions that come with it are pretty awful so here's the basics:
1. Open the hood and support with ye old factory prop rod.
2. Remove the rear-most bolt from the hood hinge and re-install it using the supplied washer and bracket (marked L for driver side, R for passenger if you're in the US).
3. Remove the front-most fender bolt (should be near the headlight) and install the supplied small bolt, washer and bracket.
4. Prepare the dampers for install - This part was completely missing from the included instructions so if you're installing this it should save you some time. You need to actuate the dampers (an inch or two is fine) by hand since sometimes they get stuck if they've been sitting for a long time or if they are never actuated by the factory. I held the damper by the body and pushed the other end into a 4x4 block of wood. Finally add some grease to the ball sockets so they don't fill with water and corrode or freeze. I used Napa Sil-Glyde (silicone grease) for mine but really probably anything that's somewhat water resistant is fine.
5. Attach the dampers to the hood hinge brackets. You can usually just push these on with a little persuasion but if its too difficult you can use a small flat head screwdriver to pry the metal clip up about 1/8" from the back of the ball socket and get it to pop on.
6. Moment of truth time! Support the hood with your hand and put the factory prop rod back into its storage position. raise the hood until the damper socket lines up with the ball stud on the fender and wiggle it on there. Repeat for the other side.
7. Double check that everything clears ok by slowly lowering the hood and listening and watching for areas with tight clearances (notably the windshield cowling and rear hood seal. But if everything is good cycle the hood open and closed a few times to make sure the dampers are operating ok and enjoy.
Overall its pretty nice kit; you don't have to drill any holes in your hood, it opens a little further (5.3 degrees according to my cheap angle gauge) and its relatively cheap.
On the slight downside though, compared to oem hood dampers (usually full height in 1-3 seconds) these are pretty slow and can take 10-15 seconds to reach full height if you raise them only to the point where they support themselves. They may speed up after using them a few times. I'll update this review in a month or so if I see any improvement.
If you're thinking about getting a set, go for it and pickup any other goodies you like there since shipping is a killer.
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