[Pat_T]

After getting so much helpful info on how best to fit a motorsport battery in the boot, I thought I'd see if anyone on here could give me some tips on how to fit some bonnet pins so that I can do away with the standard latch/cable in the interests of weight reduction.

I have the standard metal bonnet, but I have removed/am removing most of the inner skin from underneath.

Has anyone fitted a pair before? Is the slam panel the best place to mount the pin? Pictures would be massively helpful in this thread I'm nervous about drilling through my lovely green bonnet for the first time but it has to be done!!

[Pat_T]

found one.. this is where I was thinking of fitting them too

[Turby]

Ype, thats where I fitted mine

[Alan m]

Pat,

If you haven't already bought the pins I'd stay away from alloy ones and fit stainless steel.

Not that it's important but the pins in the picture (above) look like they run length wise up the bonnet, most are fitted left to right/right to left across the bonnet but I suppose this is just down to preference.



I know......................... the ones in the photo are alloy and they are sh1t.

[Turby]

Fitting them left / right also makes them easier to both pull at the same time when you want to open them.

[Pat_T]

thanks guys,

I had already ordered them so they're alloy unfortunately but will see how i get on with them.

Will fit left to right as advised.. I think it looks better that way anyway!

[volcomstone411]

if thats one of the vk ford works puma then the slam panel is all different so they will mount in a different position

[Pat_T]

Yea realised the slam panel was very slightly different when I came to fit them, got them sorted now though, look ace!

Alan m.. see what you mean about the threads on the alloy pins! Might be replacing them with steel sooner rather than later I think. Pics to follow on my project thread (when I get round to it! )

[Alan m]

volcomstone411, on 28 February 2010 - 08:43 PM, said:

if thats one of the vk ford works puma then the slam panel is all different so they will mount in a different position

No, the VK 1.4/1.6 use standard slam panels its the s1600 that uses a modified panel (different inlet/injection system between the models). Thought the s1600 still took the pin mount from the same position, the cut in the panel was between the two mounts but not 100% sure.

[Alan m]

Pat_T, on 01 March 2010 - 11:56 AM, said:

Yea realised the slam panel was very slightly different when I came to fit them, got them sorted now though, look ace!

Alan m.. see what you mean about the threads on the alloy pins! Might be replacing them with steel sooner rather than later I think. Pics to follow on my project thread (when I get round to it! )

The problem I have with the pins is to do with vibration. Due to the alloy being so soft the latch continuously cuts into the pin till it snaps off - not good.

My engine is bolted to the chassis rails so there is quite a bit of vibs you may not have the same problem Pat but I would go with stainless if you can.

[PumaJay]

i was thinking of fitting bonnet pins with my carbon fibre bonnet, but im gonna go for some nice aero catch ones so it sits flush with the bonnet!

just need to grow big enough balls to take a dremel to £500's worth of CF bonnet!