Fibreglass hoods
#29
The roof will be finished in a clearcoat that will not require painting, if you wish to paint it you will need to lightly sand the finish. I am having one done in Kevlar, it is a yellowy finish but is actually lighter and stronger than CF. It is also easier to get at this time. Price for Kevlar or CF is higher, I will let you know when I post pics.
I may have located a TII hood scoop, I'll keep you posted.
I may have located a TII hood scoop, I'll keep you posted.
#32
EliteHardcoreCannuckSquad
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I don't get the CF/Fibreglass/Kevlar sunroof...
I see the hood. Hell, I want a vented hood from rotorhead.ca
But the sunroof?
You save a few pounds, but it's so bloody expensive and doesn't do anything.
I can't see the advantage unless you're going racing. And even then, you'd be better off with a base model with no sunroof at all.
With a Plexi roof, it's still lighter than stock metal or glass, but you can atcually see though it... PLUS, it's a LOT cheaper.
I dunno, maybe it's just me.
Please explain...?
I see the hood. Hell, I want a vented hood from rotorhead.ca
But the sunroof?
You save a few pounds, but it's so bloody expensive and doesn't do anything.
I can't see the advantage unless you're going racing. And even then, you'd be better off with a base model with no sunroof at all.
With a Plexi roof, it's still lighter than stock metal or glass, but you can atcually see though it... PLUS, it's a LOT cheaper.
I dunno, maybe it's just me.
Please explain...?
#33
Personal choice of course, but many sunroof fitted cars are having rust problems, this eliminates one issue.
Glass/plexi are very hot in the sun, Especially when your AC is not working/removed. Glass is heavy, stock metal roof is in most cars it weighs around 7 lbs and it is not possible for everyone to own a base model, some of us like disc brakes and LSDs. I personally own two GSLs and they both have rusty roof panels.
As for not doing anything, this is weight saved at the highest (most problematic) point of the vehicle, 5 lbs from the roof is a massive handling advantage. Any weight saving is good and not everyone can afford to have a panel shop weld the sunroof opening over.
Weight saved is horsepower freed up for performance.
This is a easy installed fix for several problems even if it isn't for everybody.
Even if you personally dont see the value, others obviously do, that why we personalise our cars.
Glass/plexi are very hot in the sun, Especially when your AC is not working/removed. Glass is heavy, stock metal roof is in most cars it weighs around 7 lbs and it is not possible for everyone to own a base model, some of us like disc brakes and LSDs. I personally own two GSLs and they both have rusty roof panels.
As for not doing anything, this is weight saved at the highest (most problematic) point of the vehicle, 5 lbs from the roof is a massive handling advantage. Any weight saving is good and not everyone can afford to have a panel shop weld the sunroof opening over.
Weight saved is horsepower freed up for performance.
This is a easy installed fix for several problems even if it isn't for everybody.
Even if you personally dont see the value, others obviously do, that why we personalise our cars.
#34
EliteHardcoreCannuckSquad
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Originally Posted by aussiesmg
Personal choice of course, but many sunroof fitted cars are having rust problems, this eliminates one issue.
Glass/plexi are very hot in the sun, Especially when your AC is not working/removed.
Even if you personally dont see the value, others obviously do, that why we personalise our cars.
Glass/plexi are very hot in the sun, Especially when your AC is not working/removed.
Even if you personally dont see the value, others obviously do, that why we personalise our cars.
In fact I can almost promise you there'll be at least some controversy surrounding Poject GSL-SS (and no, there isn't a piston engine involved)
But that's why I asked... I was simply trying to undestand the reasoning behind this mod.
For the record tho, my plexi roof probably weighed less than half of the stock metal, and it was a medium/dak tint, so I didn't find it heated up the car too much.... plus I just opened it up while driving...
Unfortunatly it was wrecked when I rolled my car, so now I have to get a new one made. Luckily the hardware is intact, so it's a simple matter of getting the plexi cut.
#36
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I can weigh mine in the morning, but I estimate approx half the weight of stock steel.
I bought it used for $150 CDN.
I don't know of anyone currently manufacturing them. But they're easy to make...
All you need is a sheet of plexi the correct size (preferably tinted and UV treated). Lots of shops can do it. Get them to attach an aluminium edging on it. Then simply drill holes for, and install your stock sunroof hardware.
Done!
I'm going to be replacing my busted-*** one soon. Looks like aprox $100 worth of acrylic each.. plus a couple bucks worth of aluminum... and machining... I would say, fairly safely, $150 bucks... possibly less. Best bet is to find a local acrylic shopand talk to them.
BTW, that's based on the S2/3 roofs, not the S1 roofs, which are smaller and would be cheaper...
As I complete a lot of my mods over the winter I'll be looking at forum member interest, and if there's enough, I may go into prduction on a few things, including the roofs. But that's MONTHS away.
If you want one now, make your own
I bought it used for $150 CDN.
I don't know of anyone currently manufacturing them. But they're easy to make...
All you need is a sheet of plexi the correct size (preferably tinted and UV treated). Lots of shops can do it. Get them to attach an aluminium edging on it. Then simply drill holes for, and install your stock sunroof hardware.
Done!
I'm going to be replacing my busted-*** one soon. Looks like aprox $100 worth of acrylic each.. plus a couple bucks worth of aluminum... and machining... I would say, fairly safely, $150 bucks... possibly less. Best bet is to find a local acrylic shopand talk to them.
BTW, that's based on the S2/3 roofs, not the S1 roofs, which are smaller and would be cheaper...
As I complete a lot of my mods over the winter I'll be looking at forum member interest, and if there's enough, I may go into prduction on a few things, including the roofs. But that's MONTHS away.
If you want one now, make your own
Last edited by smnc; 09-24-05 at 01:49 AM.
#38
It wont be long on the hood, just looking for a very clean example to use as a mold.
SMNC I though you said the plexi was cheap, I can offer fibreglass which is made the exact shape of the original roof for $100 or less see the earlier post. CF wont be much more and it has a much higher strength than plexi. It wont require grafting aluminum to hold the shape.
This means in your rollover it probably wouldn't have broken. Following that logic you would have had less chance of injury from shrapnel and no chance of your head coming out of the cabin. I think there may be a significant safety factor here also. I can't imagine plexi being legal in SCCA or NASA but I may be wrong.
SMNC I though you said the plexi was cheap, I can offer fibreglass which is made the exact shape of the original roof for $100 or less see the earlier post. CF wont be much more and it has a much higher strength than plexi. It wont require grafting aluminum to hold the shape.
This means in your rollover it probably wouldn't have broken. Following that logic you would have had less chance of injury from shrapnel and no chance of your head coming out of the cabin. I think there may be a significant safety factor here also. I can't imagine plexi being legal in SCCA or NASA but I may be wrong.
#39
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Whoops, fogot to mention thats CDN$... take like 25% off the top for the US.
That was also the price for a single (prototype), and would go down in production.
And as I said, was on the high side too
Sorry, I'm not trying to steal your post...
I was just trying to undestand the whole thing, and it kinda snowballed.
The plexi is actually really strong, but the roof that broke was about 15 years old. Plexi does weaken eventually, and it was a wicked inpact. The car slid on it's roof for over 5 feet.
http://mclean.8m.com/cgi-bin/i/MX3/M...005/omm013.jpg
http://mclean.8m.com/cgi-bin/i/MX3/M...ttawa_0027.jpg
CF might not have broken, but there was no shrapnel from the plexi, it was only cracked.
And Plexi IS SCCA legal 'cause they use it to replace glass windows/windshields...
Anyways, that's the last I'm going to post about plexi moonroofs in this thread, as I rally don't want to steal the spotlight.
I'll start a thread once my prototype is done to gauge intrest in them then. Probaly in the New Year.
In the meantime, the CF sunroof sounds nifty...
That was also the price for a single (prototype), and would go down in production.
And as I said, was on the high side too
Sorry, I'm not trying to steal your post...
I was just trying to undestand the whole thing, and it kinda snowballed.
The plexi is actually really strong, but the roof that broke was about 15 years old. Plexi does weaken eventually, and it was a wicked inpact. The car slid on it's roof for over 5 feet.
http://mclean.8m.com/cgi-bin/i/MX3/M...005/omm013.jpg
http://mclean.8m.com/cgi-bin/i/MX3/M...ttawa_0027.jpg
CF might not have broken, but there was no shrapnel from the plexi, it was only cracked.
And Plexi IS SCCA legal 'cause they use it to replace glass windows/windshields...
Anyways, that's the last I'm going to post about plexi moonroofs in this thread, as I rally don't want to steal the spotlight.
I'll start a thread once my prototype is done to gauge intrest in them then. Probaly in the New Year.
In the meantime, the CF sunroof sounds nifty...
Last edited by smnc; 09-24-05 at 07:23 PM.
#40
Just soak it in 2-cycle
iTrader: (2)
What about Lexan/Polycarbonate? It won't crack like plexiglass/acrylic does. Acrylic can even crack when you try to drill holes in it
Very true. Best Motoring did some tests with the Evo model that had a lightened roof (can't remember which one) and it proved to have a suprising handling advantage.
Originally Posted by aussiesmg
As for not doing anything, this is weight saved at the highest (most problematic) point of the vehicle, 5 lbs from the roof is a massive handling advantage. Any weight saving is good and not everyone can afford to have a panel shop weld the sunroof opening over.
Weight saved is horsepower freed up for performance.
Weight saved is horsepower freed up for performance.
#42
Will be supplying the specific glue for reattaching the original mounts, the process is very strong and designed for this use. Just line up your orginal roof and transcribe the location of the mounts then bond per instructions. I will be testing my personal one first.
Sample will be ready this week, delayed by slow delivery of the resin, sorry.
Sample will be ready this week, delayed by slow delivery of the resin, sorry.
#43
Resin will be here this week, its made as far as we can until then. I have had questions regarding several other panels including kick panels, center console, and more, if you guys have suggestions let me know.
I am looking into making a speaker box for the space behind the seats where the "Glove" boxes are. I imagine it being removable for race days, you would cut your own size speaker holes and easily just plug in. Interest?
I am looking into making a speaker box for the space behind the seats where the "Glove" boxes are. I imagine it being removable for race days, you would cut your own size speaker holes and easily just plug in. Interest?
#47
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Thanks Jimmy54... you need to drop by the Canadian forum once and a while, lol!
It happened on the Ottawa cruise back in the spring. Sarah (my wife) was with me, but nothing more than bumps and bruises...
Oh well, I'll be building a new car fo the spring...
It happened on the Ottawa cruise back in the spring. Sarah (my wife) was with me, but nothing more than bumps and bruises...
Oh well, I'll be building a new car fo the spring...
#48
Is it a good idea to glue a CF sunroof to the orginal mounts? I would imagine that the woudl be a lot pf pressure on the CF roof, I would hate to spend a hundred or so dollars on it and have it fly off on the highway. I am getting antsy tho, I cant wait to see pics and some prices.
#49
I will be stress testing the bonding method prior to letting them go to you guys. Even if I have to drive at 120 mph to do so.....lol
Seriously though the bonding agent is specifically designed for this type of purpose. Should have no problem but it will be tested.
Steve
Seriously though the bonding agent is specifically designed for this type of purpose. Should have no problem but it will be tested.
Steve