Aerocatch Bonnet Pins Into An R32

[Marlin]

Hi guys, I posted this in another thread but it's a little obscure if anyone was wanting to find a how-to. I searched and found zip so thought I'd snap some pics of mine I did todday.

** I used two different size hole saws to cut the radii and simply used a cutting wheel to remove the rest. Lots of masking tape around the area to stop any damage from swarf.

Initially I mounted the pins, raised them a little to make contact with the bonnet and make a mark from inside. I then drilled a small pilot hole, and then masked on the template provided and went from there.

Measure six times, cut once I suggest!

Made U shaped brackets to utilise an existing hole in the radiator support. The return down the front too to give some extra strength. Made these from 3mm steel. You can see I had to gring the bolt down a little to allow clearence.

This is the drivers side from under, nothing tricky really.

The passengers side was a little harder. I did this second to get the feel for it. This is a GTR bonnet so I hade to carefully remove some of the reo.

And the finished product! A bit of fine tuning is needed to get them just right, and it's very strong, not going anywhere. As a bonus the rubber stoppers they supply were the perfect length to allow a little preload so no rattles.

And a reminder that angle grinders with cutting wheels can bite.

[CeJay]

so these are regarded as street legal? Where did you get them?

[JAGR33]

What a great read!! Came up really well...

I did the same thing 3 months ago, although mine is a fibreglass/carbon bonnet, so would have been easier to cut.

They work so well and look much cleaner than the old bonnet pin style..

Here's my finished result...

Was going to get my panel beater to paint them silver but he advised not to, paint might not stick properly and would most likely peel off from constant use...

Either way they're not as noticeable as the old bonnet pins, especially since it gets driven on the street...

[DJRIFT]

i put these on my 32. the bonnet i used had all the supports cut out so i didn't have to make it fit around them.

the car also had had bonnet pins so i used the holes in the radiator support panel to fit mine but as you may have found it a bit to shallow under the bonnet to fit them so my bonnet which isn't real straight anyway doesn't quit fit flush. if i get a new bonnet i will install them the way you have.

oh and word of warning after a bit of work the lock in pins start to over balance and you need a tool to get them to lock down. i am not the only one to have run into this.

i got mine after seeing all the cars in targa tas last year with them and funnily enough your going in targa tas with some.

[Angus Smart]

Sweet i have a set at home in the to do pile..

[t01-100]

so these are regarded as street legal? Where did you get them?

yeah as they are flush fit on the surface of the bodywork most states accept these as road legal.

bensonmotorsports.com was the source for the woo... always in stock!

[Roy]

I tried to use some about 3 years ago but woosed out because i didnt want to cut up my GTR bonnet...maybe its time to second guess that decision

[BBGTR]

Nice one.

I have finally taken delivery of my carbon bonnet and a set of these bonnet pins.

I'm going to get Micolor to do it though as I would just mung it up if I attempted it.

Kudos to you for taking the time to do it yourself.

Regards

Andrew

[Roy]

Which bonnet are you running? Its hard to find a good looking boonet for the R32

[BBGTR]

I bought a Varis "cooling bonnet" new from Japan.

It's a neat job. It even has a cover for the vent so the rain doesn't get it when not in "track day" mode.

[Roy]

Looks good, one of the more subtle ones which seems to suit the R32 better. How strong are the carbon bonnets with using Aerocatches. Is the carbon too rigid and brittle ?

[BBGTR]

Looks good, one of the more subtle ones which seems to suit the R32 better. How strong are the carbon bonnets with using Aerocatches. Is the carbon too rigid and brittle ?

No idea, it's got all the factory latches as well so it should hang together. the pins are only insurance.

[Marlin]

Thanks for the feedback guys, and tep Stu from Benson Motorsports helped me out with these, bensonmotorsports.com, and at a better price than I could even get them on Ebay

Thanks again Stu!

[R32gts-t]

great write up mate!

love these pins! so much tidier than the metal ones...

angle grinder = OUCH! hope your hand heals quickly...

I bought a set for my s13 a while back, but another "wooss" here

I took the easy way out (had my panel beater fit them while my car was in paint)

even he was nervous and he couldn't promise me a 100% guarantee on perfectly straight and flush fitment, but he nailed it first shot...

at first i was concerned they might bind up or become brittle, after sun/water/soap/dirt/dust etc but they are well made and with a tiny spray of wd40 stay nice and operable.

the only thing i could put them down for, is the pins themselves, they could be swapped out for some actual steel ones...

some pics from when i had mine done:

[Marlin]

I tried to use some about 3 years ago but woosed out because i didnt want to cut up my GTR bonnet...maybe its time to second guess that decision

lol, just bite the bullet Roy and do it mate, they look great and operate smoothly. I reckon they're the best part of the car now

Oh, guess what, the wheel Just turned up

[prescott06]

If anyone needs it, i just made up a cutting/drilling template for the 125 Series, the one they supply is for the 120 series and slightly different.

Print it out full size and you should be sweet

Aerocatch_template.PDF

[Roy]

Ok, then where is the quickest and easiest pace to get them. Better shoot them off to the panel beater before the bonnet gets sprayed. Stuart?

They may look ok on my car since i am doing the fan boy black and silver thing

[JAGR33]

Ok, then where is the quickest and easiest pace to get them. Better shoot them off to the panel beater before the bonnet gets sprayed. Stuart?

They may look ok on my car since i am doing the fan boy black and silver thing

Troy, got mine through revolution racegear, about $120 from memory....

[Gts-t]

Looks good guys, but at what point doesnt the standard bonnet latch work?

[Roy]

May try and give Revolution a call, but need them to deliver. Will see how i go