GrimmSpeed Hood Struts 2002-2007 WRX / 2004-2007 STI

GrimmSpeed really did their homework on this one. They're using some of the finest gas springs available (would you expect anything less?), so you don't have to worry about cheap ball studs breaking, or the gas springs only lasting a year or two. Manufacturers such as Porsche and Mercedes Benz trust these gas springs for OEM equipment, and so do they.

One major requirement is how the hood "handles." The stock hood is very light, and can bend fairly easy if you're too rough with it. If a gas spring that is too strong is used, the hood will raise too fast and uncontrolled. It won’t hold a neutral center position, and will be difficult to close. Use a gas spring that is too light and the hood will never stay open, let alone lift itself to any position. 

In this category they've really delivered. The design features a large neutral position in the center. The hood easily stays in place in this position so you can pop your hood half way up while you're at a car show without having to worry about finding the "sweet spot" to make the hood actually stay put. From this position, a small push from one finger is all that is needed to raise the hood all the way up. The same goes for closing the hood. Hold it just below the neutral position, let go and it closes just like it does without struts. You don't have to push the hood to close it. We hate to use the "P" word, but the balance is PERFECT. 

The other major requirement to the design was to open the hood higher than stock. Not only does it look incredibly cool, but it makes it much easier to work on your motor with the extra room. They've gained over 6 inches of additional lift (referring to the distance between the prop rod end, and the slot in which is usually sits), which is a lot.