etzilon

For racing purposes, have anyone removed the moonroof and replaced it with a panel that retains the roof shape?

What are the options? The only one I know is replacing the whole roof panel with either a factory one (purchased from Mazda - about $480 list price/much less under the racing program) or Mazdatrix' CF roof panel.

Any ideas are appreciated.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

most would just fiberglass it in

replacing the entire roof panel is a substantial job

the Mazdatrix roof is not listed as a separate item, again major job and hard to justify the likely cost and hassle unless you are going for the show car look - just fiberglass it in and have a CF-look film professionally applied over the entire roof panel for a lower cost alternative

etzilon

Thanks, Team. That's one option I am working on now. I need to find a good fg guy as NASA rules indicate that the roof line can't be changed so it need to look like a non-moonroof model.

Mazdatrix option is good from a weight perspective but at approx 2,700 lbs there are still plenty of low hanging fruit for me to work on before caring too much about taking glass off and spot welds down, etc

sblethen

iTrader: (3)

We swapped ours out. Definetly not a fun project at all. If you do it don't forget the roof support brace as well. just one is needed without the sunroof. I do think you will lose a substantial amount of weight from doing it. Also if you haven't already done the cage the guys at the shop that install it will love you! The worst part of the project was honestly getting the rear window out. not easy around those lower turns. Lastly... plan on a new windshield as well $260 is the cheapest that I could find. In the end your close to $800 or more on the cheap end.

I think NASA would allow a piece of tin the same thickness as your current roof pop rivited to the top of your existing roof. not the most attractive but would take a solid zero off that above price divided by 2! Check with your local branch first...

(SCCA will allow it, I know that for sure)

Stephen

etzilon

My little OCD self wants me to do that. I'll let you know who wins.

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Wondering as well if there are any companies making CF plate inserts like the BMW guys do. Cheap and easy way to shed some pounds.

etzilon

I researched it and couldn't find any companies doing it. I can have it custom made but they would cost about $750 each and I'd need to order 4-6 for it to make sense. This guy is an artist making CF pieces, though.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

people with BMWs don't think twice about dropping several hundred $$ for such a part, the same can't be said about those who own RX8s. There were plenty of non-moonroof RX8s made too and that's what most racers start with. Most BMW dealers order the kitchen sink. It's almost impossible to find a no-option base model BMW without ordering one yourself or buying one directly from someone who did. So the markets are entirely different.


.

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Yeah I kinda figured that. Just was hoping someone had an alternative. Haha

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

You mean like this?


The lexan and mounting materials weigh about 4lbs total.
I don't know how much it cost to make, I found all the materials laying around in my garage.

etzilon

I ended up following Arca_ex's solution.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

How much weight did that save you?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

that or a piece of thin aluminum makes the most sense from an effort/cost perspective

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

I cant remember the exact weight but i think the whole assembly including the motor, controls, mounting hardware and other associated bits is around 35lbs. So about 30 to 40lbs off the very top of the car.

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

This is EXACTLY what I was inquiring about! Great to know you saved 30-40lbs COG Arca_ex. Probably very noticeable, huh? Did you have to silicone the edges of the lexan to prevent water from seeping in?

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

Would this be legal for STX or DSP?

Kennetht638

iTrader: (2)

Definitely not legal in ST, and looks like it's not in SP either.

15.2.
O. Sunroof-equipped cars may be converted to a solid-roof configuration provided a model without a sunroof is listed on the same line in Appendix A.
P. A non-OE sunroof replacement panel may not be used in place of the OE sunroof.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

Damn.

What if I just take the sunroof out, i'm not replacing it with anything...it's just not there!

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

^^lol!

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

I took about 200lbs out of the car all at the same time and added some other parts but yeah it helps especially with center of gravity. I used flowable windshield silicone to seal it up.

EricB

iTrader: (7)

if its under 18x32 in size (i think it is) i can lasercut the piece out of polycarbonate..

maybe.

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

This is my goal. My car is a DD, but I'm trying to gut as much useless crap as I can, while still keeping it clean, so you really have to get creative as you know. I feel the sunroof is a huge piece to the equation because it's pretty useless, and the weight savings are pretty big.

Care to share what you removed? My goal is to replace the sunroof with lexan, RPF1s (just recently got a set), a Recaro Profi SPG race seat, and 2 piece rotors, light weight battery, and JIC coilovers. Might do more later on, but since I'm not going full race car just yet, that's all I can think at the moment. Probably ditch the rear seats for a track day. Haha

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

Carpet, center console, all the stock seats, dry iced all the sound deadening, HVAC controls and blower assembly, heater core, stereo and all related components, any and all plastic trim pieces.

Basically the entire interior. I also removed the A/C system. So the condenser, all the lines, compressor etc.

Next step is stripping the wiring loom and then if I'm at my weight cap I'll leave it. If not, the power windows go, gutting the doors and start replacing glass with lexan.

I'm not sure how much weight this added up to, I haven't weighed the car since taking out the heating system and A/C and a couple other things.

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Removing all the glass for lexan will save a lot.

dmitrik4

iTrader: (5)

You'd have to do the whole roof conversion in SP, I believe. That said, if you replaced the sunroof with a steel panel of equivalent thickness to the roof, it would be a pretty weenie protest, IMO.

A Stock or ST competitor would need to do a package conversion to base or Sport configuration, minus any C&C items or other allowances.