I was wondering if anyone has replaced the old torsion bar lifting system on the rear trunk lid with modern hydraulic lifters, seems like a pretty simple deal, Pictures anyone?? Thanks.

Camp 914 has the kit for around $50

Fitted the camp kit and it works brilliantly - you do get used to holding onto the engine lid as you open it - as they have a lot of power and can push it up pretty fast!!

All my cars have been fitted with the gas shocks ... cut those MFer torsion bars out and never looked back.

Be careful as they are under alot of tension. They do go BANG!!!

I have the Camp914 kit on mine, they work great!

I was just thinking of converting to the shocks the other day. Do they get in the way when storing the top ?

They do not interfere with the top. I had to remove my torsion bars anyway to clear the fuel injection on my 3.2 motor anyway. The down side the shocks ware out, but are easily found at your local auto parts store.

Are the shocks ok to use with a fiberglass decklid?

If i'm not mistaken, Craig at Camp914 has shocks with less pressure to go with FG lids ...

I wrap them with rope in two places about 6" apart and go after them with a grinding wheel between the wraps.

I'm going to disagree with the conventional wisdom here. The torsion springs work great and they never fail. If you install the shocks, you'll need to cut the sheet metal on your trunk.

The factory got it right with the design of the torsion springs. Don't replace them.

Except when the trunk hinges tear off the inner fenderwell. Which seems to happen to almost half the cars out there.

Thats exactly what happened to me and the springs were bent from someone prying on them?!

I have struts for the front and rear trunk. I like it WAY more then the springs.
Zach

Can you share the part number or the vehicle that they were originaly intended for , front trunk o'course is what I'm refering to ?? T I A ...

Jack / Jaxdream

I can't. I bought it as a kit from Camp914 a few years ago.

but I don't think it would be hard to source the materials to DIY it.

Zach

PET PEEVE ALERT

You want an easy install? Buy the kit someone else invested time and energy into developing. Consider the extra cost a 'thank-you' for that person doing all the work for you.

You want something cheap? Do the research yourself and build your own parts.


Okay, I'm done.

Thanks , Zach , I'll check the site out. Wasn't sure if they did fronts . I know they advertised rears. Thanks again for the reply .

Jack / Jaxdream

We have members here that have put good time and effort into their products and do a good job. Craig has been doing this since before it was popular

His kits are reasonable, designed well, and work great. I love mine! I have a set for the front as well, but have never installed them. Some day maybe.

The instructions that are included suggest cutting the trunk. I installed mine with the parts included with the kit without any cutting. So easy even I could do it.....so that means it is REALLY easy.

I did not have to do any cutting with my rear trunk either.

No problems...

Another option (I went with and am very happy with) is the JWest rear trunk pivot. Much stronger than the original setup, but reatains a more stock look. (no shocks)

JWest 914 Rear Trunk Pivot

NorCal grass must be a lot better than SoCal .... 5 cars and I've never cut one of them for installation.

How is the install w/o cutting, I thought my instructions skat to cut a small notch...guess it's a good thing I haven't installed them.

Instructions, I don't need any stinking instructions.

Change the mounting positions. Mount the shock further *back* on the deck lid instead of the hinge. That way it doesn't need to go into the engine bay. Then move the mounting point on the trunk accordingly. There is still enough leverage that the trunk lid shuts easily without too much flex.

Damn and damn! Wish I had seen this before I cut my trunk!!