carbon fiber roof panel ??? - MINI Cooper Forum

minime s · #1 (**permalink**) May 13th, 2003, 09:13 AM

Has anyone heard of the carbon fiber roof panel that replaces the sunroof's ?

suprchrgdmini · #2 (**permalink**) May 13th, 2003, 09:54 AM

jeff look around i seen a picture of the install either on here or minicooperonline.

nfo · #3 (**permalink**) May 13th, 2003, 09:59 AM

check
www.mini-madness.com
it's on their project car!

suprchrgdmini · #4 (**permalink**) May 13th, 2003, 10:03 AM

here is the link to the minicooperonline forum

http://www.minicooperonline.com/modu...c=8955&start=0

lotoole3 · #5 (**permalink**) May 13th, 2003, 01:32 PM

I believe a recent issue of EuroTuner magazine mentions replacing the factory sunroof with Plexiglass or Lexan or something... not too much info given, but there is a pic. From the looks of it it seems they did the same thing as what is described on MCO, pull out the sunroof in one piece and plop the plexi in its place. The plexi may weigh a bit more, but would be a bit nicer, with such a big panoramic view like that...

minime s · #6 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2003, 06:02 AM

Any other ideas ?

suprchrgdmini · #7 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2003, 07:49 AM

just take it out all together, you dont drive in the rain. Oh no that is a bad idea because it rains everytime we go race!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grinder · #8 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2003, 08:40 AM

Is most of the weight that's added to the top of the car with the sunroof in the glass, or in other structural-rigidity parts that are added? Like would you end up lighter or heavier than a MINI without a sunroof at all if you did the CF/lexan replacement?

911ETR · #9 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2003, 04:50 PM

Hey Grinder, yea it’s like 70 some pounds or something like that. I talked with George (madness) about this and it was allot of weight removed. I am not sure he is going to sell this piece because he had it specially made for the Car and Driver Super Tuner Challenge happening tomorrow. I heard a rumor that he got 250hp out of the car but can’t confirm. The only Mini in the competition. Make us Proud!

Grinder · #10 (**permalink**) May 16th, 2003, 08:00 AM

Bryan, I know the Sunroof is really heavy, but I was wondering if ALL that weight can be easily removed. I thought it might also be from extra bits welded to the actual frame of the car to make it more rigid (since there is a big hole in the roof). Is it really all just in the glass, surround, and opening mechanism? If you did remove the sunroof and replaced it with CF or lexan would you end up with a lighter car than if you didn't get the sunroof at all?

bigbaddaboom · #11 (**permalink**) May 16th, 2003, 03:04 PM

I wonder if you replaced just the glass with Carbon Fibre panels (i.e. leaving the mechanism, etc. in place) if you would save a significant proportion of the total weight of the mechanism. You'd still have your sunroof (or moonroof, or whatever) intact and useable (i.e. it would slide back when you want to get some noise in the cabin...)

Just a thought.

MarcoRacer · #12 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2003, 12:23 AM

Are there any other carbon composite pieces out there in the aftermarket? (I'm talking serious, weight reducing pieces, not interior trim parts.) I remember seeing something a while back about a hood. That would be very cool.....probably expensive too since it has to hold the lights and all...

The car needs to lose some lbs one way or another!!

rei00 · #13 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2003, 09:05 AM

I saw actual CF replacements for the dash pieces (not a sticker) at a Japanese web site.

MiniCooperS123 · #14 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2003, 01:24 AM

I have seen a carob fiber hood scope. I forget where I saw it but there is definitely one out there. Moss Motors make some interior carbon fiber pieces too.

Grinder · #15 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2003, 01:41 AM

Forget the hoodscoop...go with the WHOLE hood:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...t=carbon+fiber