Weight reduction ideas
#91
Three Wheelin'
The most effective weight loss is by eliminating the sunroof. You save at least 60 lbs at a position that affects the most in handling which is at the very top of the roof line. Having said that, unless you custom order it from the factory without the sunroof, you are not going to find one in the used market.
#92
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The most effective weight loss is by eliminating the sunroof. You save at least 60 lbs at a position that affects the most in handling which is at the very top of the roof line. Having said that, unless you custom order it from the factory without the sunroof, you are not going to find one in the used market.
#93
Drifting
Maybe the 60 lbs is from the roof panel, structural reinforcement and the drive mechanism?
What reinforcement to the roof chassis would be required to use the carbon fiber roof on a street car (ie NO cage)? I won’t give up weight if it compromises safety.
What reinforcement to the roof chassis would be required to use the carbon fiber roof on a street car (ie NO cage)? I won’t give up weight if it compromises safety.
#94
Three Wheelin'
Lol - no way is the sunroof anywhere near 60 pounds, although I realize it feels more like 600 lbs when trying to wrestle it into position. It amazes me how much of an exagerrated idea people have about the weight of the components on these cars. I weighed mine once, and I seem to remember it being about 24 lbs. But yes, a 3 lb version is a big savings. The track I drive on is very technical, with a top speed of only about 80 mph, so I usually drive with the sunroof off, which I realize isn't optimal from an aerodynamic standpoint, but I suspect the weight savings compensates for the loss of downforce at my track.
#95
Race Car
A sunroof is more than just a cutout on the roof. Did you weigh it with the motor, frame, wind deflector, the track , the moving assembly, the structural re-enforcement, the drainage conduits, and the double layered wall ? 60 lbs for the sunroof is not an exagerration, if anything inclusive it'll come to more than that.
The extra sheet metal might....., might be 3-4 lbs. tops.
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#96
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Yeah, I agree with 951and944S. I stipped out all the components you're describing, and weighed everything, and it only came to a handful of pounds, so maybe 30 pounds for the panel and all the removable components. But I did misinterpret your post a little - I did think you were referring to the panel by itself. Maybe with the structural components, it would be significantly more, but I still have a hard time seeing 60 pounds.
#97
Three Wheelin'
Yeah, I agree with 951and944S. I stipped out all the components you're describing, and weighed everything, and it only came to a handful of pounds, so maybe 30 pounds for the panel and all the removable components. But I did misinterpret your post a little - I did think you were referring to the panel by itself. Maybe with the structural components, it would be significantly more, but I still have a hard time seeing 60 pounds.
#98
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Agreed. Although, I really enjoy driving it with the sunroof off, both on the road and at the track, but I do agree a sunroof delete version would be the optimum in terms of performance.
What part of Norther California are you in? I grew up in Marin County in the Bay Area, and went to Cal Berkeley (Chem E)
What part of Norther California are you in? I grew up in Marin County in the Bay Area, and went to Cal Berkeley (Chem E)
#99
Three Wheelin'
Agreed. Although, I really enjoy driving it with the sunroof off, both on the road and at the track, but I do agree a sunroof delete version would be the optimum in terms of performance.
What part of Norther California are you in? I grew up in Marin County in the Bay Area, and went to Cal Berkeley (Chem E)
What part of Norther California are you in? I grew up in Marin County in the Bay Area, and went to Cal Berkeley (Chem E)
#100
Nordschleife Master
A sunroof is more than just a cutout on the roof. Did you weigh it with the motor, frame, wind deflector, the track , the moving assembly, the structural re-enforcement, the drainage conduits, and the double layered wall ? 60 lbs for the sunroof is not an exagerration, if anything inclusive it'll come to more than that.
#101
Even if you did manage to install it, you could still run into issues with flexing as there is no cage to minimize chassis flex. The CF would flex differently than the steel and would likely crack or pop out unless you use the same glues and methods an auto manufacturer would use to bond the panel in place.
Even if all that is done, you might still run into some issues unless the bare shell is digitally modeled and analyzed or undergoes extensive testing on a chassis rig in order to flush out any issues in chassis flexing.
The way modern cars do it, so far as I can tell, is the pillars and longitudinal connecting beam is all steel (or aluminum in certain cases). The insert between these members can be CF (there may be some underlying transverse beams in steel and/or aluminum). The only instance I know of where the whole roof (including pillars and beams) is CF is if the entire shell is CF, like a supercar.
Last edited by FrenchToast; 09-11-2018 at 11:57 PM.