I. L. Motorsport Hood Lifts

TDR Chrome Hood Lifts, made by IL Motorsports

[2/20/2009] Reviewed by: Hakan Girginer - hakan.girginer@gmail.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

A pair of shiny gas cylinders with ball sockets on each end.

No complaints.. Installation is pretty straightforward if you have a 6mmx1 tap and a 5mm drill bit handy. The only other tools you will need are a 10mm open end wrench, and scissors or a razor cutter. A pair of needle nose pliers come in handy to remove the plastic prop rod bushing, too.

The hole locations should be marked correctly, and the holes must be drilled horizontal, absolutely level with the ground. Compress and release the cylinders a couple times before installation to get rid of the initial stiffness. The cylinder goes to the hood side, with the "rams" facing down. do not trim too much of the weatherstripping, gently lift and feel where the plastic clips are before cutting. Once you install the hood lifts, the difference is dramatic. The hood lifts much higher, there is actaully access to the engine bay without the prop rod in place, and the hood opens and closes with almost no effort. I do not think bending the hood is even a possibility.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely

I. L. Motorsport Hood Lift

[2/26/2004] Reviewed by: Marc Teitelbaum - no3minus@hotmail.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Dual chromed hydraulic hood lift to replace the silly stock prop.

Works very well to both open and close the hood. 1) Do NOT remove the hood under any circumstances. There is no reason to (confirmed by RSpeed) and it can cause you troubles trying to realign it and keep it from getting damaged. 2) Enclosed template is justified to the driver's side of the car. It is almost useless on the driver's side and COMPLETELY useless on the passenger side. Honestly, I just eyeballed it, marking the drill point in the area shown on the template freehand.

Very easy to install, as long as you improvise on the instructions! The real instructions (German made part, instructions in German!) have the pictures in them. The RSpeed included English instructions do not. Here's a few tips which saved me a lot of grief (A huge THANK YOU to Jeff Worthington for sharing his troubles with his installation): 3) Instructions call for a 6mm x1.00 tap on the hood hinge. I did this, Jeff did not. Gut feeling is it's not necessary because the bolt should thread itself. I just wanted to be safe. All in all, a good modification. On sale at RSpeed for $10 off regular price.

Difficult to remove without leaving damage

I. L. Motorsport Hood Lift

[6/6/2003] Reviewed by: Ranger Sigo - jeff.worthington@us.army.mil

Applicable to: '99 +

IL Motorsports Dual Hood Lift Kit

I was very pleased with the outcome of this project and product. The workmanship is top notch but the instructions could be a little better--although the pictures make a wonderful difference. Although I was a little concerned about drilling into the hood hinge and removing the hood at each corner, it went fine. The lifts work perfectly and look great! I have no noticeable bulges on the hood and the seat well within the engine compartment when the hood is closed.

Excellent product! I am glad to be rid of that blasted prop rod that always got in my way.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely

I. L. Motorsport Hood Lift

[10/19/99] Reviewed by: Gerald B. lasitter - w4gry2@worldnet.att.net

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
( R/Speed #202-069 )

Quality German engineering/manufacturing of a pair of dual chrome hood lifts, each is approximately 10" long extended (hood up).

Easy to follow instructions. Need the help of a friend to hold the hood while it is removed from it's hinges. A 1/4" hole is drilled into each hinge aided by a template. The lifts are installed and the hood re-attached and aligned. Very simple procedure accomplished in less than 30 minutes.

These are great-looking lifts that are small and unobtrusive and sit far to the rear of the hood at the hinges. If not for being chrome and very shiny they would go almost un-noticed. With the hood down the, gleaming chrome is visible in the gap between the hood and the fenders. Noticeable, but not a glaring distraction. There is a small bulge of 1/16" to 1/8" in the hood along the fender gap, about 14" back from the front corners of the hood. This is due to the weight of the hood countering the pressure applied to the hinges by the lifts. The bulge is barely noticeable by sight or touch and unless you point it out, very few will see it. I think I can live with it! At $89.95 the lifts appear pricey, but there are two lifts, not just one...and their appearance and quality makes them worth it. Recommended for those who wish to "dress" their engine compartment.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely