Oddly, you replied literally THE SECOND after I hit the pay button in PayPal, for the $90 EVO-R set. Like I said, I've got more pressing areas to drop money on for now. If these don't stand the test of time I'll just kick myself in the *** & blow some more $$$ later, but at least I'll be able to check my fluids for the time being! (and put bigger money elsewhere, lol) Somebody offered a set of "NRS" struts via PM for $49 the other day. Not sure if he meant NRG or what, but he didn't respond in time! Actually, I may later swap to a CF hood & would need a different strength anywho.

 

The strut kit got here yesterday & I went to do the install tonight. Got one mounted np, but one of the ball ends seems to be machined a little too small for the stud to fully seat in it, making it impossible to stick the little securing pin in-place/mount the other strut. Jay @ EVO-R has a messenger name listed for support purposes, so I got ahold of him on there & he's supposed to be sending a replacement ball-end out Monday. If I get a working piece in a timely manner, I'll be happy.

 

Post up some pics after you get everything finished Do you think you'll have to set up a grab strap to close the hood?
Good to know that you've got good customer support from EVO-R so far

 

Will do and yep, pretty sure I'll be needing some sort of grab-strap/rod as the hood towers over me when fully open. With one strut it's definitely easier to lift, though still doesn't solve the main issue I run into, so I'll be eagerly awaiting the replacement ball-end. Knock on wood.. with all the horror stories I've read of EVO-R, I'm fairly impressed so far. (I used messenger to speak with him prior to shipment as well) Given, this is a pretty simple item & I've not got the fixed piece yet, but yeah.

 

Advanced auto sells the struts for $20 each, all different sizes just not sure the length needed for the 7.

 

Well, that's why people, (myself included), buy the FD specific kits.. just bolt them on. If I were lucky, I suppose I could go pick up a generic strut & its' ball-ends would interchange with what I've got, but that's not how my life rolls & it's almost a given the ends wouldn't match anyways. As for the EVO-R setup itself, I'm hoping the hardware is as good as the also mentioned NRG's, in that it won't rust like the less pricey sets. (which I'd also expect of Autozone materials) I appreciate the suggestion though.

 

Paint the ends so they don't rust lol. I don't have hood strut yet but i have everything to fabricate what's needed to use the cheap ones.

 

I don't have the means to fabricate what's needed, (and have it look good). I also didn't know what pressure was proper, nor do I know if cheap struts are dual stage?
EDIT - checkout the below comment:

As far as people mentioning the lesser kits hardware rusting, I assumed they meant @ friction points where paint's not going to be applicable. Not calling you one, but a retard could guess it'd be wise to seal stationary parts that aren't already rustproof. These are the reasons I decided I'd rather just buy something already designed, tested and with as simple & clean installation as possible, for our application. FYI, the EVO-R struts are 17.5" from ball-end center to center though.

 

Well after a solid, 7-day week, EVO's yet to get my replacement rod-end here & never responded to my email requesting a speedy delivery, heh.

I forgot to add before.. for generic/non-FD installation, the instructions for this kit specified to mount the strut (canister side) to the hood bolt, using the factory prop to open the hood completely, and to measure back I believe 1.5" from its' end. (as far as choosing a point to mount the ball in the fender)

 

Week 2 & no part/no contact. (and he knows I need the struts due to being disabled) asshat seems to have quit logging on messenger as well, though the last thing said 2 weeks ago was he had the part in-hand, heh. Does Jay of EVO-R have an account here to anybodies knowledge? I guess that's who I was corresponding with..