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Thread: Best Hood Strut Kit?

  1. #1
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone TNRooster3's Avatar
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    Best Hood Strut Kit?

    Not sure if this has been asked as a thread or not, been looking at adding hood struts, any ideas as to the best ones or if it IS or IS NOT a good idea?

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    Individual-1 ☚ ☻ ☛ Agent☣Orange's Avatar
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    I got my hood strut kit a while back for my NB but can't remember who from. It really came in handy for working on the car and for shows rather than the OEM kickstand. I also got a trunk strut kit which was nice because I just clicked the remote and the lid opened up all the way.

    I just spotted this and it looks like the same: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Strut...pZWiHf&vxp=mtr

    Maybe if one of our vendors sells them, they can post up. I remember that it was easy to install them upside down thus bulging the hood.


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  5. #3
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
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    I am very pleased with the kit I bought from Flyin Miata. It is a rebranded (FM sticker) IL Motorsport kit.

    Ive also had the kit from RSpeed which was nice. I just preferred to mounting system better on the FM/IL set.

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  7. #4
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! MiataQuest's Avatar
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    I have seen kits with either a single extender or dual extenders.
    In my mind I am thinking the dual extenders would be better to prevent tweaking the hood when closing it. I do not know what brand that is??

    So yes, I am interested in hearing reviews so I can decide on a set for my car.

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  9. #5
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
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    IMO the NA hood needs 2 struts for support on both sides. 1 strut is just asking for bending, twisting, tweaking, someone accidently putting too much force on the non-support side and causing damage.

    NB might be different. I know my Dad's NC is very solid with his one strut kit.

    The FM/IL kit bolts on the fender closer to the firewall and farther back on the hood area compared to the RSpeed kit I had. That makes the hood open wider (more room to work/view). Those struts being further back allow you to more easily access the motor area from the side of the car.

    The FM/IL kit needs a hole drilled and tapped for mounting in the hood hinge area IIRC. Pretty simple install. The RSpeed Kit is all bolt on and easily removed.

    I can post pics of my setup when I get home tonight. If you'd like.

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  11. #6
    Super Moderator RotorNutFD3S's Avatar
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    I had the RSpeed kit on my NB, it had been in the car for almost 9 years and both struts finally bit the dust this year. I'm probably replacing it with the same kit from RSpeed simply because RSpeed is local, they're less expensive, easy to install, and I know they work. If that option wasn't available, I'd definitely go the FM/IL route.

    The NB is better with a dual strut system as well.

    *EDIT* Make sure you followed the revised installation instructions from RSpeed's website if you do go with their kit, copied and pasted below for future searches:

    1. Install the struts in the opposite direction the manual says. Install the strut body on the fender side and the strut shaft on the hood side. If you do it as the manual says the struts will be touching the fenders and bending thus pushing the closed hood up and deflecting it - you don't want this.

    2. Install the the hood plates as the manual says (L and R are left and right side if sitting in the car). The picture at R-Speed web site has it wrong (they have the R one on the left side of the car) - if you do this the plates won't fit properly and the balljoints on the hood side will be touching the fenders when the hood is closed. Also the hood bolts are not long enough to accept both washers as the manual shows - I just used the locking washer between the plate and the hood and put no washer between the nut and the plate.

    3. When you remove the rear set of fender bolts (to clear space for the struts), DO NOT install the included with the kit replacement bolts. Just leave it with no bolts there. If you install the replacement bolts (regardless these being lower profile) the struts will still be touching the bolts when the hood is closing and it will make the hood deflecting up thus opening a bad looking gap.

    4. You might want to add an extra washer or two under the ball joints at the fender side. The kit includes only 1 washer per side there. If you add an extra washer or two - this will give you more strut clearance and make the struts push in a better direction when the hood is closed. Make sure you don't add too many washers so the balljoint does not touch the closed hood - I just used a piece of shop paper towel to test for clearance with the hood closed.
    Last edited by RotorNutFD3S; 03-16-2018 at 07:58 AM.
    I've got a lot less horsepower - luckily they are Japanese horses - usually in better shape and more motivated.

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  13. #7
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift JamieH's Avatar
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    Could we also get a list or first hand experiences with the kits that do and don't cause the rear of the hood to be slightly raised/lifted when closed?

    I've read different reports over the years of this or that kit causing the issue of the rear of the hood getting raised/lifted slightly when closed with such kits.

    It's one of the biggest reasons I've been heistent on hood strut kits in general.

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    Super Moderator tsingson's Avatar
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    I love my Tein ones. No drilling. Fits perfect. Dual struts. Price is kind of expensive but I have bought them twice and never regretted it.

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  17. #9
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone speedypenguin's Avatar
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    I got the RSpeed kit for my NA. It was out of necessity, since the NA no longer could use a hood strut. Install was easy, and it cleans up your view of the engine bay with the hood up (no hood strut!)

    My Eunos Roadster, Jazz

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  19. #10
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Slampen's Avatar
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    Nice and informative thread as always.

    Worth reading this thread as well on the subject

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  21. #11
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone TNRooster3's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JamieH View Post
    Could we also get a list or first hand experiences with the kits that do and don't cause the rear of the hood to be slightly raised/lifted when closed?

    I've read different reports over the years of this or that kit causing the issue of the rear of the hood getting raised/lifted slightly when closed with such kits.

    It's one of the biggest reasons I've been heistant on hood strut kits in general.
    I 2nd that motion, I was hoping somebody would post the bad ones and why to stay away from them.

  22. #12
    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    I have a similar anecdote as Rotornut. My first set of R*Speed struts lasted well over 10 years and I'm under my hood a LOT. When they stopped working, I bought the same set from them to replace them.

    My NB doesn't have a set of these, and it drives me nuts at times. If you work on your own car, I feel like a pair of struts are a must-have.

    Gotta say, too, R*Speed has helped us keep the lights on here to post stuff like this. ;)

    https://www.rspeed.net/searchresults...d+lift&Submit=

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  24. #13
    Individual-1 ☚ ☻ ☛ Agent☣Orange's Avatar
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    Good find! R*Speed it is. I like the black set.


    No todo que es oro brilla.

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  26. #14
    Super Moderator tsingson's Avatar
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    Those look exactly like the Tein ones but in black. That's awesome.

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  28. #15
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone TNRooster3's Avatar
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    OK thanks guys I'm gonna order the RSpeed kit today.

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