I just installed my vented hood and could not close the hood all the way. The front strut tow bar was blocking it. I had to remove it and found out that the latch would not close. I had to remove the stock latch to allow closing the hood. I now have hood pins keeping the hood closed. I was just wondering if this is normal. Are there any other options for me? I would really like to keep the front strut tow bar but I can live without the latch. Any suggestions and experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

what type of vented hood do you have? It all depends on what type of hood and the company that makes the hood. I know the SCOOT hood requires the strutbar remove, and the mazdaspeed hood requires the M2intake box removed. I had the mazdaspped b4 and i had to remove the strut tower bar in order for me to complete the installation.

 

Not a 7, but I put a different hood on my friends Corrado with an Eibach strut tower brace...and that thing wouldn't close either. I had to install hood pins to keep it closed.

 

My CF Mazdaspeed Replica vented hood closes fine w/ my Ractive strut bar. Just FYI.
~Tom

 

Might want to try a "skinnier" strut bar? I don't know if it might upset your setup, but I would rather have a hood that closes.