So ive always liked aerocatch latches and finally got around to buying some.
I started out by ordering the plus flush kit and added the password JDM mounts for a clean install/finished product.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...321C10F786.jpg
67 bucks shipped for the latches on eBay.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...3221FD4206.jpg
39 bucks shipped for the mounts from password JDM.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...321FC6D5E6.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...3224AC9762.jpg
To start, you have to think of how this is going to lay out on your hood. Make sure body lines and all won't effect your mounting of the latches themselves. (Ex. High to low lines in the hood.)
I knew where I wanted the latches to sit and how after searching through pictures of rsx's with them. Only 1 rsx that I could find had what I liked.
I found these two models:
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...3101E56EB2.jpg
And
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...318D231187.jpg
This is how I wanted mine....^^^^^
But per recommendations from aerocatch, you should mount them reversed from how his are.
(Wind could catch the latch and lift the arm up to disengage the pin if left unlocked on accident) personally I think they look good how he has them.
So knowing where I wanted them to sit, I had to find how to mount the pin itself to the chassis.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30BE704256.jpg
I took and drilled out the threads of stock rad holder for my first bolt hole.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30C0A31B5D.jpg
Found these plates I had from years ago and decided it would work perfect.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...72738F399F.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...7268140BA7.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...7260C497AA.jpg
Marked it with a drill strike to properly place my hole for drilling.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30C413B4B5.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30C7F004BE.jpg
And drilled the hole.
Then mounted it using:
1) 1/2" long 1/4" spacer
2) 1/4-20 button head bolt
3) 1/4-20 lock nut
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30CBBB085B.jpg
After getting the first bolt in I was able to mark out the next hole location.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30CE3B701D.jpg
Then drilled and installed the same hardware as the first hole.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30E00FBFEC.jpg
Once that was done then I could place the pin in my new bracket.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30E59FB797.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30E37C0344.jpg
Btw, I de burr and chamfer every hole after drilling to the proper size. You can either use a drill but that bigger then the intended hole size or use a chamfer tool. I used a drill but.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30DC846839.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...361385E655.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...3617252B1D.jpg
Once the pins mounted to the bracket I took some toothpaste. And dabbed the tops to transfer to the bottom of the hood.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...3732B7A608.jpg
You can see where the hole needs to be. I took my drill strike and marked it.
I started by just drilling through the bottom layer of the hood so I could make sure the pin stayed clear when the hood closes all the way.
Then I took a Dremel tool and opened the hole to allow the pin to hit the top section of the hood.
Marked the place and drilled through.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...3730074ABB.jpg
This would be your point of no return.
Then laid out the angle in which I wanted the pin to sit. And traced the guides given from password JDM.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30F1753D4B.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30EF25A886.jpg
Then cut out the inside section of my marked area.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30F46988A9.jpg
Dremel'd the lines smooth and straight then laid the latch in place.
Once in place take and mark your 6 holes out to the hood.
Drill the holes out and clean the holes of burrs.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30F6DC6A2E.jpg
The password JDM plates act as a piece of bread sandwiching the hood between the plate and the latch. Also allowing a clean install from just the top.
This is what you'll end up with.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30FC3937A7.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30F8F6FEBA.jpg
Then you repeat the process for the other side.
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...30FFB2A9CF.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...7279224D1C.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...72766C3CE3.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...727C0E59B0.jpg
http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/z...727E79AAFD.jpg
My install was by no means perfect but pretty damn close given its just eyeballed and a little use of a tape measure.
Things I would do differently the next time around........
•I would tape the hood as to further protect it from metal shavings/dust
•I would lay out the position of both pins prior to cutting and installing either latch
•I would probably have a friend as well to help with the install
I hope this helps, even though there are plenty of different ways to installing these great latches.
-sincerely Pete
