Lightweight acrylic sunroof panel on it's way
#17
I want one as soon as possible. Can I paypal you?
#18
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GoRideSno, 20C_928, Thaddeus,
Thanks.
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drnick,
Thanks. Almost 15 kilos, and the welded in body parts must be another 10! Why didn't they at least make that sliding trim panel from aluminum?
I'm using a lipped plastic seal (door edge protector) around the perimeter of the panel. The sunroof is designed for water to leak a little around the edges.
As part of the factory setup, there is a 1/2" tall 'wall' which creates a trough around the front and sides. I've retained the factory rear drip rail/seal which mounts underneath and behind the panel. The rail diverts water to the sides, where it drains out the factory drain hoses.
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BrendanCampion,
My girlfriend is on vacation, so I have only a few hours a day to work on 'important things'.
If you wanted just the unfinished cut acrylic panel, without seal or bracket, it would be $45 for 1/8", and $55 for 3/16", in bronze, green, or basically any color that (TAP plastics) carries, plus shipping. I'm using 1/8" initially.
When I get time, I'll check into 1/8" aluminum.
And, yes, I can take PayPal.
Thanks.
...
drnick,
Thanks. Almost 15 kilos, and the welded in body parts must be another 10! Why didn't they at least make that sliding trim panel from aluminum?
I'm using a lipped plastic seal (door edge protector) around the perimeter of the panel. The sunroof is designed for water to leak a little around the edges.
As part of the factory setup, there is a 1/2" tall 'wall' which creates a trough around the front and sides. I've retained the factory rear drip rail/seal which mounts underneath and behind the panel. The rail diverts water to the sides, where it drains out the factory drain hoses.
...
BrendanCampion,
My girlfriend is on vacation, so I have only a few hours a day to work on 'important things'.
If you wanted just the unfinished cut acrylic panel, without seal or bracket, it would be $45 for 1/8", and $55 for 3/16", in bronze, green, or basically any color that (TAP plastics) carries, plus shipping. I'm using 1/8" initially.
When I get time, I'll check into 1/8" aluminum.
And, yes, I can take PayPal.
#19
Well, since your the engineer and I'm the Financial Professional, I'm thinking maybe I should let you do the bracket and seal?
Do you think Aluminum would be lighter than the Acrylic? I like the acrylic idea because it can let a small amount of light through and I don't have to paint it, but if the aluminum would be lighter, then...
BUt the bracket and seal - how is the bracket bonded to the plastic? Would it fit right in normally? The seal - do you think it will keep out enough water?>
I can't specifically figure outwhat colors are for the material you are using... Is there some seriously dark but not opaque stuff?
So essentially, give me an idea on the finished thing with bracket and seal, and I will paypal you this week or next to get you going.
Do you think Aluminum would be lighter than the Acrylic? I like the acrylic idea because it can let a small amount of light through and I don't have to paint it, but if the aluminum would be lighter, then...
BUt the bracket and seal - how is the bracket bonded to the plastic? Would it fit right in normally? The seal - do you think it will keep out enough water?>
I can't specifically figure outwhat colors are for the material you are using... Is there some seriously dark but not opaque stuff?
So essentially, give me an idea on the finished thing with bracket and seal, and I will paypal you this week or next to get you going.
#20
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Ohhhhhh, this smells like the beginning of another "kit" offering.........Many of us are suckers for those damn "kits".........
#21
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BrendanCampion,
There will be bolts through the plastic to hold it to the brackets. I'm not comfortable with only gluing it on. The panel fits tightly with the current seal. But, as I said above, the seal does not have to be hermetic, because there are existing drains around it.
The opaque acrylic sheets do let some light in, the bronze or green match the factory tinting nicely.
I would guess that the aluminum would be similar in weight, but would be paintable. One advantage I can forsee with the aluminum is that there will be no visible hardware.
I'm negotiating with my girlfriend about spending some time on it. We're driving to Vancouver, BC, this weekend, so I'd like have a functional prototype done by then!
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Gretch,
Shuddap with yer kits. I'm so over kits.
This here is a bolt-on.
There will be bolts through the plastic to hold it to the brackets. I'm not comfortable with only gluing it on. The panel fits tightly with the current seal. But, as I said above, the seal does not have to be hermetic, because there are existing drains around it.
The opaque acrylic sheets do let some light in, the bronze or green match the factory tinting nicely.
I would guess that the aluminum would be similar in weight, but would be paintable. One advantage I can forsee with the aluminum is that there will be no visible hardware.
I'm negotiating with my girlfriend about spending some time on it. We're driving to Vancouver, BC, this weekend, so I'd like have a functional prototype done by then!
...
Gretch,
Shuddap with yer kits. I'm so over kits.
This here is a bolt-on.
#22
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OK "Bolt-on kit", call it what ever makes you happy (kinda like prince changing his name allatime)......I have a question........can your tinted plexi piece be substituted for the metal one in the stock set up? IE kinda full circle to your idea of making the tinted plexi "retractable"?
That would be cool, so cool in fact I prolly couldn't stand not having one.............
BTW I still would like to get my hands on the breather bits you designed......
That would be cool, so cool in fact I prolly couldn't stand not having one.............
BTW I still would like to get my hands on the breather bits you designed......
#23
Okay, while you are talking to your girl about time and negotiating these issues, can you also include some discussion about creating some shippable stuff for your lighting upgrade/non-moving stuff, as well as your breather thing. Any diagrams?
I looked at your site - great stuff.
I looked at your site - great stuff.
#24
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Originally Posted by PorKen
We're driving to Vancouver, BC, this weekend, so I'd like have a functional prototype done by then!
Glenn
#28
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Gretch,
Making a direct replacement for the lid, retaining the motorized movement, is a defineate possibility. It will require an alternate engineering path, but it looks like it could be done.
I still have the plumbing bits for you.
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BrendanCampion,
You mean my (Rennlist webpage)? I have been meaning to make a page with the few useful items I've thought of, with a PayPal link. For example, a L-Jet cold-start delete, or a rear trans cooler bolt-on.
I guess I'll have to set up a page now. I think I touched a nerve with the sunroof thing.
I was going to re-re-engineer my lights this week, until this came up. I plan on going with just the low beam in the headlight opening, farther forward, with the high beam in place of the US parking light in the bumper.
The air pump assisted breather setup I abandoned, and I'm back to using an exhaust vent, but I have another idea for the 16V which I'll pursure soon.
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sharkmeister85,
Just a quick family visit. The upside for me is we're taking the 928 this time (knock on wood)!
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heinrich,
You mean like a sun shade (or better, a burrito warmer)?
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Normy,
Thanks. Once it's tested and ready for primetime, I'll set up an assembly line.
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mpesik,
I suppose if I lived where it's nonstop hot and sunny, I might want an aluminum panel to keep out the sun. Summer here, though, is fleeting.
Making a direct replacement for the lid, retaining the motorized movement, is a defineate possibility. It will require an alternate engineering path, but it looks like it could be done.
I still have the plumbing bits for you.
...
BrendanCampion,
You mean my (Rennlist webpage)? I have been meaning to make a page with the few useful items I've thought of, with a PayPal link. For example, a L-Jet cold-start delete, or a rear trans cooler bolt-on.
I guess I'll have to set up a page now. I think I touched a nerve with the sunroof thing.
I was going to re-re-engineer my lights this week, until this came up. I plan on going with just the low beam in the headlight opening, farther forward, with the high beam in place of the US parking light in the bumper.
The air pump assisted breather setup I abandoned, and I'm back to using an exhaust vent, but I have another idea for the 16V which I'll pursure soon.
...
sharkmeister85,
Just a quick family visit. The upside for me is we're taking the 928 this time (knock on wood)!
...
heinrich,
You mean like a sun shade (or better, a burrito warmer)?
...
Normy,
Thanks. Once it's tested and ready for primetime, I'll set up an assembly line.
...
mpesik,
I suppose if I lived where it's nonstop hot and sunny, I might want an aluminum panel to keep out the sun. Summer here, though, is fleeting.
#30
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I took my sunroof off last night to replace the gaskets. I couldn't believe how heavy it was! Even the liner is galvanized steel... seems like an easy place for Porsche to have saved considerable weight, I'm very surprised they did not...
Smoked (black tint acrylic) that takes the place of the metal panel is a great idea.. but that crossbar the metal panel attaches to would have to be replaced or modded, or else the view would be obstructed...
Smoked (black tint acrylic) that takes the place of the metal panel is a great idea.. but that crossbar the metal panel attaches to would have to be replaced or modded, or else the view would be obstructed...