This write-up is going to be primarily biased towards the J-Body's, but there are steps that could be used for any vehicle. The only materials needed for this install was the actual hood pins themselves. My particular pins are 3A Automotive Racing hood pins. They are 1/2" threads with 9/16" nuts.

The pins

Tools Needed:

Screwdriver (regular head and Phillips head)

9/16" open end wrench (2)

Drill with various drill bits

Paint & Paint Brush

Utility Knife

Step # 1 - Find a good mounting location for the pins. On the Cavalier (Sunfire too I presume) there are 2 pre-drilled holes in the frame brace atop the radiator. To see these holes you must remove the plastic shroud that covers the frame brace. Use a regular screwdriver (or pliers if you have some handy) to pull out the plastic rivets used to hold the shroud in place then remove the shroud. Once the beam is exposed, you'll see the holes I'm referring too. They are about 3/4" in diameter. These holes are only in the top of the brace however, so you must drill a hole through the bottom of the brace as well to secure the bottom nut.

 

The holes are visible in these shots. Notice the passenger side hole is actually oval.

Step # 2 - Drill the holes in the bottom of the brace. Make sure you use a bit larger then the diamater of your pin, in this case 1/2". Drill through the center of the holes in the top of the brace until a clean hole is made in the bottom of the brace.

Step # 3 - Test fit the pins in the holes to ensure they fit properly and that the nuts you have will not pull through the holes. If that's the case, use a couple of washers. This was not the case for my installation so this step was a breeze for me.

Step #4 - Mark the location on the hood bottom to indicate where the pins will go through the hood; ergo where you will need to drill holes. To do this, put some contrasting color of paint (or primer) on the top of the pins and lower the hood onto the pins. This will leave paint marks on the underside of the hood as to where the pins line up. This is where you will drill your holes.

Note the markings on the hood in gray paint.

Step # 5 - Drill holes in the hood for the pins to pass through. I suggest starting with a small bit and test your alignment after you drill the small hole. If your satisfied with the alignment, use a bigger bit and check again. Especially in the case of a carbon fiber hood, you'll want to step up the bits gradually until the hole is of the appropriate size for the pin to pass through easily.

Step # 6 - Adjust the pins. Do this by lowering the hood completely (latching if neccessary) and slipping the lock over the pin and making note of whether or not the pin is too low or too high for the lock to pass through. Proper adjustment is when the pins are locked and the hood is secure but not bowed and not loose enough to be moved around. Adjust the nuts on the pins accordingly to get the proper fit.

Pins installed and adjusted properly.

Step # 7 - Install the locks. For my setup, the locks had adhesive on the back of them which enabled me to secure them to the hood, then drill the holes in the eyelets where the screws would attach the locks to the hood. Be sure to use a drill bit smaller then the provided screws to ensure they get a good bite and keep the locks securely attached to the hood. Hand tighten the screws into the hood using a phillips screwdriver and tighten till snug. Overtightening will strip the holes and cause big headaches.

Step # 8 - You'll need to trim the plastic shroud you removed earlier to allow it to fit around the new pins. Use a utility knife to cut away the plastic where the shroud meets the pins. Trim enough material until you get a nice clean fit.

 

You can see the plastic shroud trimmed around the hood pins for a nice clean look.

Step # 9 - Reinstall the shroud using the plastic rivets you removed in Step # 1.

Step # 10 - Test everytyhing for proper function then protect your pins with a coat of wax.

The finsihed project.

This was a fairly easy installation and really added a nice touch to my hoods appearance. But better yet, it's now safe to drive on the highway. No more fear that my hood is going to fly off the car  .

Hope this helps you guys out.

Thanks Mark for the article and hope you don't mind it on my webpage. 

Thanks to Mark at the DSC for this article.   This was quoted from is thread on the the TunerHaven in which I am a member.   

See the pictures below for the pictures.