914-6 GT front hood prop rod install Options

[raynekat]

It's been a few months since I installed my PMB Performance 914-6 GT front hood prop rod.
Thought I'd share as it's a very slick replica of the original and a "must have" in my mind for those that have lightweight hoods.

Here's the installed product in my car:



When not in use, the springs allow the prop rod to rotate up and out of the way against the underside of the hood.
Pretty slick I'd say.
Those Porsche race engineers.....



In my application, I was unable to land the bottom of the prop rod on the backside of the fuel tank wall because the flange on the fuel tank interfered.
So I instead I had my prop rod land on the frontside with the help of a very small catchment clip....just something I had laying around in my box of junk that seemed to be about the right size.





For my installation, I modified some of the installation methods/hardware as my very thin supports on the backside of my Getty hoods would not allow use of the supplied nutserts.
Instead I used an appropriately sized bolt and nut.
I just happened to have a rubber grommet that was the perfect size to put on the perimeter of the bolt head.....it fits very snuggly.
It acts as a buffer between the prop rod mount and the underside of the fiberglass hood.



This is a great setup for a lightweight hood prop rod.
It is somewhat "delicate" so I wouldn't advise using it in 40mph winds.
Or with heavy stock metal hoods.

[PlaysWithCars]

Wow. That’s awesome. I have ambitions of getting fiberglass hood and trunk lids and will definitely keep this in mind for the front support. Might even get an order into PMB before I get the lids.

[raynekat]

Wow. That’s awesome. I have ambitions of getting fiberglass hood and trunk lids and will definitely keep this in mind for the front support. Might even get an order into PMB before I get the lids.

Yes do that.
I think Eric over at PMB Performance mentioned that he enough materials to make a few of these GT hood props.
Not sure how many that is....

[JmuRiz]

Very cool!

[campbellcj]

Thanks, very helpful as I plan to do the same/similar - nice car too!

[infraredcalvin]

Ahhh the springs, my 6 came with one of those, but PO tried using Velcro (unsuccessfully). Any idea where to get the springs?

[wes]

Thanks I have the hood prop on hold for a future project on my carbon fiber hood very similar where the prop mounts.

[ClayPerrine]

A slight hijack of this thread, but related:

How much weight do you save using the fiberglass front and rear deck lids?

Clay

[raynekat]

A slight hijack of this thread, but related:

How much weight do you save using the fiberglass front and rear deck lids?

Clay

It's considerable when you pick up fiberglass vs steel hood.
I don't have any exact weights, but reading on line says that the front and rear steel hoods are 30+ lbs (exact weight I don't know) while the fiberglass hoods are closer to 10-12 lbs.

I removed both the springs in the front and the torsion bar springs in the rear as well for additional weight loss.

[campbellcj]

30-50lbs loss depending on specifics - My old notes say -21lbs front lid -20lbs rear lid -3lbs front springs (don't list rear torsion bar bits) going to Getty GT type (balsa) lids. I kept the hinges but have some drilled ones from Oscar going on soon for a few more Oz.

[raynekat]

The best thing about quality fiberglass hoods (like Getty) is that you can't tell by looking if they are fiberglass or steel.

[raynekat]

The gaps and alignment were that good. Very little modification to the lids was necessary.

[pete000]

I have mine still in the box, need to order the Getty Lids, Any concerns about not running hood pins for security?

[tygaboy]

I have mine still in the box, need to order the Getty Lids, Any concerns about not running hood pins for security?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I just got my Getty lids and am curious about the need for hood pins. I did install the hood with just the factory latch and it "seems" like it wouldn't require pins. It feels pretty solid in the outer corners.
That said, I'd like to hear from folks with experience.
Thanks.

[raynekat]

The factory latch has the secondary safety catch.
My lids have been very solidly latched.
Not once has one accidentally popped open.
The Getty lids themselves are very solid in the corners....not flimsy at all.
One's man's experience.

[campbellcj]

Mine is the opposite, racecar setup with only pins/tie-downs and no factory latches or locks. The Getty pieces I have are primo quality as well and for a street car I'd probably be comfortable with just stock latches.