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trinydex
01-10-2007, 03:36 PM
Hot Lap Motorsports Front Tow Hook Installation

For those who have the motorsport addiction, we take our street driven (or previously street driven) cars out on race tracks and push them in the quest for low lap times and that ear-to-ear grin on the track. So what happens when that grin gets the best of you and you find yourself beyond your personal limits or your cars? Answer, you in up in the kitty litter, the thick stuff, mean green…well you get the point – you are now going to get towed out of it, whether you want to or not.

Directly quoted from the NASA rulebook –



Notice the word damage in their statement – that doesn’t sound too good, does it?

Now, I have not found myself in outside of where the tarmac ends and the grass starts, maybe a wheel here and there, but not all four. Not saying I am great (in fact, I still say I am very much a novice in this arena), just a bit of luck, and some driving. Not that I want to end up in the greater outdoors, mind you.

The truth is – I want to be well prepared if I ever end up in that situation. Mitsubishi did a good job with these cars, but reasonably, they never would expect the average owner to need tow hooks in daily driving. The solution is installing tow hooks.

Enter Hot Lap Motorsports – Kyle (KingKyle) Website: http://www.hotlapmotorsports.com/ Phone number: 973-997-9016.

Hot Lap Motorsports Tow Hooks

Specs:
Stainless steel construction, 7in by 3.5in by 1/4in thick. Cost: $35.00 ea.
http://www.hotlapmotorsports.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=29&idproduct=31

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/length.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/width.jpg

Installation

For the front you are limited where you can install a tow hook. I choose to utilize the front crash beam and slots in the bumper to make the install smooth as possible. I taped off the width of the hook and put the bumper back on to be sure. (Note: I already assume you know how to take off the front bumper to do this).

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/Location.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/Location2.jpg

Note the two factory holes that are already in the crash beam here. They do not go all the way through, but they are in a perfect location to start off. I also measured a hole between these to holes. Adding anther bolt will help spread the load and will help limit the probability of sheering a bolt off when towing. Ex. 3 bolts spreading 3000lbs = 1000 per bolt v. 2 bolts spreading 3000lbs = 1500 per bolt. 3 bolts it is.

Using a 3/8” bit drill down through these three locations – remember to take your time, and not to overheat your bit, the metal, or drill – the bit will last longer, and well those metal shavings can get really hot. For those who have been burned already by a hot shaving – you know what I mean.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/drillingholes.jpg

Now you have 3 holes – clean off the shavings and get the tow hook (if you wish spray on some paint into the holes for some rust protection). Either have a buddy hold the hook for you or use a small clamp to hold the hook in place. Use a marker and mark off the locations of the hole on the plate – be sure it’s exact, so everything will bolt correctly. I like to drill one hole at a time, and then go back to the car and double check each location to make sure I have it right. Better to do it once right, than again later.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/Drilling.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/drilled.jpg

Once you are happy you have the holes where they should be – here is an optional step – paint. This is stainless; you don’t have to paint it. But to make it look factory, I painted it. For the paint, I used VHT 900 black, mainly because this was the only black paint I had, but it is a durable paint and has a nice shine that matches my cars paint (TB).

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/painting.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/farpicdesk.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/Upclose.jpg

For the bolts I went to my local hardware store and got 3 - Grade 8 3/8” Bolts, 1.5” long, course thread, matching Grade 8 Nuts, Grade 8 Washers, and Grade 8 Lock-Washers. Do not skimp here, you do not want to use low grade bolts – they will just sheer off.

I used the standard washer between the top of the bolt and top of the crash beam, and the lock-washer between the nut and the bottom of the crash beam. Tighten these tight, but not too tight – there will be some defection in the crash beam metal as you tighten them down. I do not see a big issue with this. Basically, I tighten as tight as I could with a hand wrench.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/BoltedOn.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/BoltedOnClose.jpg

Now comes time to put your bumper back on. Remember you will have to trim some of the mesh out of the way. This mainly is trial and error until you have it right. Be careful to not scratch up your fenders or headlights when moving the bumper on and off to get it right. I used a hand sniper to cut the meshing out of the way. Once done – you may have to go back with some paint to get any scratches in the hook.

Time for the bumper to go back on, here are the results:

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/bumperon.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/FrontMountedSide.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k61/smikeevo/FrontMountedTop.jpg

Wrap Up

I am no small guy (5’ 10”, 235 lbs of hockey playing meanness), to test it out I stood on this hook and nothing happened, nothing broke, nothing bent.

Overall I’d say this is 3.5 out of 10 for the home mechanic to do. Most of the labor is in bumper removal. As long as you have the correct tools and a good drill bit this is a very doable job.

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So for those in need of a front tow hook look no further – contact Kyle at Hot Lap Motorsports today!

Kyle (KingKyle) Website: http://www.hotlapmotorsports.com/ Phone number: 973-997-9016

Happy Racing,

MG (SmikeEvo)

PS – Rear tow hook installation in the works! Check back soon for installation and write up!

HardRideCafe
08-19-2008, 07:19 PM
Nice wirte up. Seems pretty easy to do. thanks