Drag Racing Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Manual windows with roll bar/cage?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 05:24 PM
  #1  
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 3
From: jersey shore
Default Manual windows with roll bar/cage?

Anyone have some insight or experience with this setup? I really want to switch to manual windows but it seems I will crack my knuckles on the door bar every time I crank the window. Pics are more than welcome too.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 06:18 PM
  #2  
Firehawk441's Avatar
8 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 12
Default

I use manual windows on 2 different cars. Its a little awkward around the side bars but works ok.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:08 PM
  #3  
SSPerformance's Avatar
8 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (76)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 0
From: Goshen NY
Default

Originally Posted by Firehawk441
I use manual windows on 2 different cars. Its a little awkward around the side bars but works ok.
same here
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 09:09 PM
  #4  
minytrker's Avatar
9 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 273
From: Brenham
Default

I switched from power to manual windows, mainly just to be able to roll the windows up and down with the batt unhooked. At the track I just try to remember to roll the window up before closing the door or atleast roll it most of the way up before closing the door. I can roll it up or down with the door closed but with the door bar there its alot slower.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 12:30 AM
  #5  
Doughboy692's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Woodlawn IL
Default

Whats the advantage of switching to manual windows? Weight? I have never checked but was told its very little anybody know for sure?
Thanks
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:32 AM
  #6  
SS4Luck's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 2
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Doughboy692
Whats the advantage of switching to manual windows? Weight? I have never checked but was told its very little anybody know for sure?
Thanks
its alot more weight that you would think after you delete all the wiring for the windows too
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 08:05 AM
  #7  
Firehawk441's Avatar
8 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 12
Default

Originally Posted by Doughboy692
Whats the advantage of switching to manual windows? Weight? I have never checked but was told its very little anybody know for sure?
Thanks
The weight is minimal. I've weighed it all but don't remember exact #'s.
We had a window motor crap out in the down position in the burnout box. A track official came over to say something and the window wouldn't go back up. Can't race with the windows down. Racing Day over...

It also helps when you haven't any battery power to operate the windows.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 09:52 AM
  #8  
Fast_94_Z's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 0
From: carol stream illinois
Default

i cant remember the weight savings off hand but i thought it was like 10-15lbs a door? yeah having the manual stuff is nice incase of electrical problems. i went to manual windows, locks etc. its a little akward around the door bars but nothing that bothers me.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 01:17 PM
  #9  
minytrker's Avatar
9 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 273
From: Brenham
Default

When I switched mine from electric to manual I weighed everything and going off memory its been a few years it was less than 2lbs difference total. I switched to manual for two reasons, no more window motors to go out and then I could roll the windows up or down without the power being on or even a battery in the car.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 01:25 PM
  #10  
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 3
From: jersey shore
Default

Yup I'm not looking for weight savings, I am looking for reliability

Well I'll give it a try and see how I like it before removing the wiring.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 03:51 PM
  #11  
fuel's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 0
From: seminole,fl
Default

is there a kit to make the switch
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 04:49 PM
  #12  
Firehawk441's Avatar
8 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 12
Default

Originally Posted by fuel
is there a kit to make the switch
No... You'll have to find the regulators from a salvage yard and other used parts sources.
FWIW... Many more Camaros had them then Firebirds.
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2010 | 10:18 AM
  #13  
Doughboy692's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Woodlawn IL
Default

Originally Posted by SS4Luck
its alot more weight that you would think after you delete all the wiring for the windows too
Are you sure about this?
I run a aftermarket harness for the engine/trans in one of my cars and deleted everything else except one circuit that I made to run a tail light for racing at night/one to run a cooling fan and one for the electric water pump. And the factory harness for the power window and all together the power widow harness with the module might weigh 2 pounds.

If you cut the wiring harness open and take out just the circuits for the power windows there are a couple wires that goto the drivers door switch, and two that goto the passenger door switch. They attach to the power window module that runs the express down on the drivers door. When you get the whole circuit out thats all you got. I hooked the wire that went to the fuse to power and the other to ground and every thing works just like factory. Its nice if its hot and I am in the lanes or at the time slip shack cause you can still roll the windows down with ease.

I heard it was about 2 lbs per door myself also to switch to manual windows. If it were 10 I might switch but for 2 I will hold off as I like the convienence of the power ones. Just lazy I guess LOL
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2010 | 12:38 PM
  #14  
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 3
From: jersey shore
Default

Got them installed and the clearance is much better than I expected. Couldn't be happier with going manual. I can put my windows down and not wonder if they will got back up
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:16 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE