I am looking for ideas on how some of you have tackled the improved method for removal of the engine lid. It is a big pain to work on the engine and have that lid half open. I would like to be able to remove the lid easily and quickly

Will the "hood pins" work?

Photos are a big plus

CHeers

Try this. Bmw hood hinges with a rear opening trunk and a lower rear firewall give plenty of room to work on the engine.

and one more

Holy cow man

I have never seen that before..Very nice work That really does open up the engine bay alot.

I think that is a little ratical for me. I am looking to just remove the engine lid.

Take the engine lid off. Open the bolt holes until they are a U shaped opening rather than a hole. Then just loosen the bolts and pull rearward to remove the lid.

Like Clay said, I used a Dremmel tool to cut away the metal between the end of the bracket and the bolt hole on the hood. All I have to do is loosen the bolts a few turns and slide the hood off. Makes reinstalling much easer too-line up, slide in and tighten the bolts.

definately go with hood pins.....

I drilled out the center of the stock hinges so the hood and the part of the hinge attached to the firewall could be separated. I bought quick releases with a button on top that slide into the center of the hinge. All I have to do is pop the hood, pull each quick release and the hood is off. It's really not that hard to put back on either. I don't have a pic right now but I'll take one if you want to see it.

Drew, does your setup still hinge up like the stock setup? OR Do you remove the lid when you need to enter the engine bay area for anything?

Please send photos

Post here or e-mail me kerrys914@yahoo.com

Drew-
Like Kerry, I've been thinking about a simple quick release for the hood. I guess cutting the bolt hole will work, but it seems like a pretty stressed attachment point already. I like the idea of a removable hinge pin. Show use how you did it and what the pin looks like please.

The hinge swivels just like stock except on the quick release pin which can be pulled to remove the hood. I'll try to post a pic by tonight. The hardest part is finding the right size quick release. Mine, instead of having a T handle on top is an L so it is easier to push in and out.

I attatched pins to my lid pointing forward.
then cut the appropriate hole into the first layer of the boxed section of the firewall....

back of lid has a pair of pins.

lid lifts out by lifting up on the back and pulling rear wards.

Pictures are in the thread on my signature line.

brant

Mine has pins too, but welded on the firewall.

The lid has mesh over the whole surface area for better cooling. Two pins on the firewall and hood pins on the rear side, handle on top. Works well and easy to take on and off.

Steve

Steve,

I like it.
brant

Here's some pics of my quick release setup:

Drumroll please:

Ta Da:

And the pin, I don't remember the size, it's just under 1/4",

Not as stealthy as Andy's setup, but I went with the captive-style hood pins on a gutted & lightened GT lid.

it is VERY nice to get that effin' thing out of the way quickly when you need to access the engine compartment. The weight savings from losing the torsion springs and latch are a small plus, too.