sunroof modification for track car
- Thread starter u63af
- Start date
edh
New member
I think you can just use the clips - I was going to experiment on the panel to see how to remove weight before trying it on my red one. The panels are pretty worthless really I guess. The manual clips seem to fetch a fair price on US ebay.
pm Peter - I know he's really busy atm so may take a while to respond.
pm Peter - I know he's really busy atm so may take a while to respond.
Neil Haughey
New member
Bonded in on my race car.
Peter Empson
PCGB Member
I'm still here when I get a moment [
]
I've looked at loads of 944 and 924 sunroofs and have yet to come across a light one. The one Ed mentions is a good example, it's from a manual roof 924, a fairly early example IIRC. The sunroof on this is the same as all the rest I've seen, and will be quite heavy even when the lining is removed (which is pretty light in itself, but worth removing if you're obsessive about this).
My CF one weighed almost nothing. Seriously, you could pick it up between finger and thumb and not really notice it was there. The finish is very good (slight weave texture when you look for it - like an F40 []) but this could probably be filled if required at the expense of some additional weight) and is fitted seamlessly to the body itself (but this will depend upon the quality of the bodyshop - mine's great). Most people will never know it wasn't made this way (unless they see the car in the morning when there's condensation on it!). The sealent has coped with being outside a lot and the very stiff suspension my car has, without any problems so far.
I cannot believe a GF one will be much heavier than mine (it could be twice as much, but that'd still be a fraction of the original - I just don't like the seeing the back of GF panels, they're messy looking things!) and given it's location at the top of the car it's an area that's worth getting right. If you're not having paint done then converting the standard one to manual latches (dead easy) is a great move and you can bin that heavy sunroof motor for good [] (Did I ever mention I hate sunroofs... [])
]I've looked at loads of 944 and 924 sunroofs and have yet to come across a light one. The one Ed mentions is a good example, it's from a manual roof 924, a fairly early example IIRC. The sunroof on this is the same as all the rest I've seen, and will be quite heavy even when the lining is removed (which is pretty light in itself, but worth removing if you're obsessive about this).
My CF one weighed almost nothing. Seriously, you could pick it up between finger and thumb and not really notice it was there. The finish is very good (slight weave texture when you look for it - like an F40 [
]) but this could probably be filled if required at the expense of some additional weight) and is fitted seamlessly to the body itself (but this will depend upon the quality of the bodyshop - mine's great). Most people will never know it wasn't made this way (unless they see the car in the morning when there's condensation on it!). The sealent has coped with being outside a lot and the very stiff suspension my car has, without any problems so far.I cannot believe a GF one will be much heavier than mine (it could be twice as much, but that'd still be a fraction of the original - I just don't like the seeing the back of GF panels, they're messy looking things!) and given it's location at the top of the car it's an area that's worth getting right. If you're not having paint done then converting the standard one to manual latches (dead easy) is a great move and you can bin that heavy sunroof motor for good [
] (Did I ever mention I hate sunroofs... [])
Peter Empson
PCGB Member
The manual latches are only for the original panels, and they're basicaly all you need, just be aware that in the locked position the latch will foul the lining on the sunroof but as I mentioned previously this isn't a major problem.
A GF or CF panel would require quite a lot of work to make it possible to open or remove (it'd need a frame of some sort), they're really only intended to be sealed into place so you wont want the latches if you go that route. There's doubtless plenty of vendors who will sell you a composite sunroof panel, I'd recommend you speak to Simon at SAR Classics who is normally able to source most parts (he supplied the one I have that was made by http://www.gt-racing.com and it's very good).
A GF or CF panel would require quite a lot of work to make it possible to open or remove (it'd need a frame of some sort), they're really only intended to be sealed into place so you wont want the latches if you go that route. There's doubtless plenty of vendors who will sell you a composite sunroof panel, I'd recommend you speak to Simon at SAR Classics who is normally able to source most parts (he supplied the one I have that was made by http://www.gt-racing.com and it's very good).
Hilux
New member
Have a chat with these people
I can get a whole roof, bonnet rear hatch door skins and wings for my Golf [8D] but they make bespoke sunroof panels in C/G for £161 and might be up for a group buy in F/G or C/F []
I can get a whole roof, bonnet rear hatch door skins and wings for my Golf [8D] but they make bespoke sunroof panels in C/G for £161 and might be up for a group buy in F/G or C/F [
]
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