Sunroof Delete... anyone want one??
06-09-2017, 08:06 PM
#1
Sunroof Delete... anyone want one?? Planning on doing some FREE weight reduction on my car, for ***** and giggles, since im the only one who rides in it and I only drive it to and from work.
(My buddy is getting a Focus RS, and plans on adding parts, so I don't want to see his taillights)
Sunroof delete will be one of many Weight reductions I plan on... I have the sunroof glass already, so I figured id make a mold of it and replicate it, just like all the other Sunroof deletes.
Id have to test it first, make sure its straight and fit snug and doesn't leak first before I can mass produce it.
Wondering if there will be interest in it??
(My buddy is getting a Focus RS, and plans on adding parts, so I don't want to see his taillights)
Sunroof delete will be one of many Weight reductions I plan on... I have the sunroof glass already, so I figured id make a mold of it and replicate it, just like all the other Sunroof deletes.
Id have to test it first, make sure its straight and fit snug and doesn't leak first before I can mass produce it.
Wondering if there will be interest in it??
06-12-2017, 11:13 AM
#7
TECH Enthusiast
So would this "delete" just be a fiberglass insert for where the Glass goes? The track and motors would remain in the car?
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06-12-2017, 12:14 PM
#8
Usually there is a crossbeam glued/welded into the roof in that area when you don't get a sunroof. I'm not sure about the CTS though. Would be curious to see a non-sunroof cars roof to verify that.
So would this "delete" just be a fiberglass insert for where the Glass goes? The track and motors would remain in the car?
So would this "delete" just be a fiberglass insert for where the Glass goes? The track and motors would remain in the car?
That's what I'm planning on making. It'll be just an insert for the sunroof opening. All hardware for the sunroof will need to be removed, which will save...what? 30lbs-40lbs? Im not sure how much the sunroof of weighs. Also, it's weight reduction from the highest point of the car.
I plan on making it in carbon fiber and fiberglass, I'm going to put the carbon fiber one in my car for testing. It'll have to be screwed it, going to try to make it bolt in to the original sunroof mounting points for easy installation.
Also will have to be seam sealed on the outside to prevent leaks, maybe I'll glue a rubber frame to help with sealing, or make a built in drip rail to tie into the sunroof drain lines.
I'm going to start removing the headliner tomorrow, and see what it looks like. My other cts, had an aftermarket rood put in so not sure how the oem looks. I'll take pics and post.
06-13-2017, 01:10 PM
#10
Pulled the headliner out, and holy **** what a mission. I think they got it in there through the windshield opening from factory. I had to force it out, no damage though and now I get to paint it black.
That's it for today though, busy day ahead. Will update once I remove the sunroof, I'll weigh it too.
06-13-2017, 02:40 PM
#11
Incredible that in 2006, you had to pay money to have GM NOT cut a whole and insert all that dead weight right about your head. I would have paid the extra if I had the choice in 2006. I still love my V, tho. 
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06-13-2017, 02:44 PM
#12
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While I would love to lose a big chunk of weight, and losing it from the very top of the car is even better, during the 99% of the car's life that is spent on the road I use the sunroof a lot. I do think it would be cool to replace just the glass with CF, as barrock69 mentioned, so that I could still have the sunroof functionality. I don't know how much weight that would actually save you, though, or whether the juice would be worth the squeeze.
Last edited by AAIIIC; 06-13-2017 at 02:53 PM.
06-13-2017, 02:55 PM
#13
I assumed that a sunroof delete would involve removing the entire roof and replacing it with a stiffened X-member under carbon fiber. At that point you could try to blend an oval or rectangular roll cage bar into the ceiling space and pad/upholster around it.
06-13-2017, 04:59 PM
#14
Not the same car, of course, but in their recent E46 build thread, Vorshlag Motorsports said the Bimmer's sunroof assembly was 72lbs - http://www.vorshlag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8488. (Note that thread also has good info on sealing up the CF delete panel.) I'm definitely interested to see what you find for the CTS assembly's weight - it looks even more massive than the E46 setup.
While I would love to lose a big chunk of weight, and losing it from the very top of the car is even better, during the 99% of the car's life that is spent on the road I use the sunroof a lot. I do think it would be cool to replace just the glass with CF, as barrock69 mentioned, so that I could still have the sunroof functionality. I don't know how much weight that would actually save you, though, or whether the juice would be worth the squeeze.
While I would love to lose a big chunk of weight, and losing it from the very top of the car is even better, during the 99% of the car's life that is spent on the road I use the sunroof a lot. I do think it would be cool to replace just the glass with CF, as barrock69 mentioned, so that I could still have the sunroof functionality. I don't know how much weight that would actually save you, though, or whether the juice would be worth the squeeze.
I think I'm leaning that way, but without the vent option, just a fixed glass. I think the glass alone weighs 8-10lbs.
The carbon fiber insert will probably weigh 3-4lb? I'd assume.
06-14-2017, 12:14 AM
#15
TECH Enthusiast
72lbs?!? Damn I hope ours weighs more than that, it'll be great when I loose that weight. I think what barrock meant was getting rid of it all and just keeping the glass, and only letting it go up and down vent style, not actually roll back and forth.
I think I'm leaning that way, but without the vent option, just a fixed glass. I think the glass alone weighs 8-10lbs.
The carbon fiber insert will probably weigh 3-4lb? I'd assume.
I think I'm leaning that way, but without the vent option, just a fixed glass. I think the glass alone weighs 8-10lbs.
The carbon fiber insert will probably weigh 3-4lb? I'd assume.
The headliners are typically installed through the front window space (pre-window install), thus making is quite challenging to remove after the fact without creasing and permanently deforming the headliner.
06-14-2017, 06:52 AM
#16
I'm in. I want the whole damn thing gone. Between me never using it and it's constant issues opening and closing all the time....I'm totally in.
I don't care about structure or seal or method. I want it gone.
You make that carbon fiber panel and you can go ahead and consider one sold.
06-18-2017, 04:43 AM
#19
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I looked and looked and looked for a V with the sunroof delete from the factory. Took me a while but finally found one......I hear its super rare' Every V that I've seen has a sunroof.
This is a neat idea.....
This is a neat idea.....