VIS hoods with a SC/strut tower brace

[2010SSRSM6]

I'm contemplating taking the plunge into a new hood but I have a few concerns that need to be addressed first.

I have a maggie and I just bought a Hotchiks strut tower brace and I'm not sure if there will be any clearance issues with these if I go with a different hood.

I'm looking at either the AMS or Terminator. If you have either hood and want to make comments on your experience please feel free to do so.

Any issues keeping it locked down? Are you using hood pins? Any issues with the under hood liner (I think is a liner, the pic isn't the greatest)?

My concerns come from the second pic, if you look at the lower left part of the pic, it looks like the liner is coming apart or isn't fitting "just right".


Here is the underside of the Terminator that they posted in the vendor section for the group buy. The liner looks like it fits perfect, but I'm not sure I like the screws holding it in.




This is the underside of the AMS hood, which currently my favorite, but I haven't seen the Terminator in person, which is why I'm torn. If you look at the lower left part of the hood you can see where the liner doesn't look quite right.




Anyone have this issue on their hood? How has it held up to driving? Any stretching or falling due to the wind hitting it for long periods of time? Did you clear coat the hood to keep it from turning yellow or does it come sealed from VIS? Does it flex at high speeds?

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

[Pharmaro]

I have the Terminator hood myself and couldn't be happier. I can't comment on fitment issues with a maggie or STB as I don't have either, but other wise I don't have any issues with the hood staying shut or flexing. Now, I haven't had it over 120+ so I'm not sure what you consider high speeds.

The hoods do come with a clearcoat, but most people recommend getting a second coat of clear anyway. I didn't, but I keep mine sealed and waxed and its usually undercover/out of the sun unless at a car show. Now cracking or yellowing issues here.

In terms of the poor liner fitment, you're seeing where the rain guards for the vents fit in. They are removeable with the screws. For the Terminator hood, there's one on either side and another at the top of the hood. The fitment looks poor because they do sit over the actual hood liner.

Here's a pic of the Terminator on my car.

[2010SSRSM6]

Originally Posted by Pharmaro

I have the Terminator hood myself and couldn't be happier. I can't comment on fitment issues with a maggie or STB as I don't have either, but other wise I don't have any issues with the hood staying shut or flexing. Now, I haven't had it over 120+ so I'm not sure what you consider high speeds.

The hoods do come with a clearcoat, but most people recommend getting a second coat of clear anyway. I didn't, but I keep mine sealed and waxed and its usually undercover/out of the sun unless at a car show. Now cracking or yellowing issues here.

In terms of the poor liner fitment, you're seeing where the rain guards for the vents fit in. They are removeable with the screws. For the Terminator hood, there's one on either side and another at the top of the hood. The fitment looks poor because they do sit over the actual hood liner.

Here's a pic of the Terminator on my car.

Attachment 482162

Thanks for the info! Do you have a pic of the liner with the rain guards installed? I try not to drive my car in the rain or if there is a chance of rain, but I know that isn't always possible. With 650rwhp, rain is not my friend.

I want to be able to track my car, so 120 m.p.h. is about all it will see until I hit the larger road course, then it will see speeds up to about 160 m.p.h.

[Pharmaro]

The pics you posted above have the rain guards installed. The only difference you can tell from outside the car is you can't see into the engine bay. If you daily drive your car and park it in public places often, you'd probably also would want to keep the rain guards installed as the vents are right abover the fuse box on one side and the intake filter on the other side so people could tamper with either if they were so inclined.

Here's the only pic I have of the underside, without rain guards, for contrast to the pics you posted originally.

Hope this helps!

[Pharmaro]

Found some more

[Pharmaro]

Here's Lone Wolf's Terminator hood, painted all around except inner liner airbrushed, with rain guards on. Gives you a good idea of what can be done.

[2010SSRSM6]

Now I feel stupid, I didn't realize that was the rain guard. I was expecting something like the hex vent that bolted/screwed on directly under the vents. lol

Much better than I expected!

Thank you so much for posting the bottom pic's with the air brushing. It just so happens that the car has a Maggie and the Hotchiks strut tower brace so I know that it will work with my setup. I can't imagine the AMS would be any different.

Thanks again!

[The_Stache]

Heres a photo with the rainguards removed on the AMS. I personally run with them out all year long (in AZ). Either way they are quick to put on and take off!

[2010SSRSM6]

Any issues with lifting or discoloring where you are in AZ? I noticed you did the strut removal, does the hood sag at all without the strut?

[The_Stache]

No discoloring yet... if i was keeping it like it is i would get it clearcoated just for protection and longevity. I already had plans to do something wildly different with this hood anyway.

Dont know what you mean by strut removal. I have a 2010 and it doesnt come with a strut brace.

[Inferno LSX]

Whipple, hotchkis brace and Terminator. I installed hood pins but I doubt with all the hood vents it would lift at "normal" speeds. You should be ok.

[2010SSRSM6]

Originally Posted by The_Stache

No discoloring yet... if i was keeping it like it is i would get it clearcoated just for protection and longevity. I already had plans to do something wildly different with this hood anyway.

Dont know what you mean by strut removal. I have a 2010 and it doesnt come with a strut brace.

Sorry, I meant the strut that holds the hood up. I noticed in your build thread you added a stud to lock it in place.


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[2010SSRSM6]

Originally Posted by Inferno LS3

Whipple, hotchkis brace and Terminator. I installed hood pins but I doubt with all the hood vents it would lift at "normal" speeds. You should be ok. Attachment 482773

I think I'm going to make the purchase. Which pins did you go with?


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[Inferno LSX]

Daystar hood pins. I wanted something that wouldn't crack the carbon fiber. Something with rubber so it could flex a lil. A buddy of mine has them all over his prerunner with fiberglass panels.