tjbourgoyne

Search this nada. One guy has one on here but no reply. Why is it illegal? how long will it last? difference in weight vs glass? Somebody please learn me on this one.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

It will get scratched / scuffed up in no time.

XDEEDUBBX

not to mention leaks if not properly sealed

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

And if it is in the sun alot, like here in AZ. it will oxidize over time.

gonnahanvan8

But it would be bulletproof. I think it has to be laminated tho.

d j

people use lexan to reduce weight on track cars and as mentioned earlier, it's not street legal. some lexan windows are scratch resistant but only to a certain degree and some tend to turn yellow over time. if you wanna do this you gotta think that you lose your rear defroster and possibly your radio antenna (unless you mount a new one) The RX8 was designed to have a smaller rear window to reduce weight, sure you can reduce the weight even further by using lexan but I personally would focus on other parts like the trunk, removing the spare tire, rear seat or getting lighter wheels. just my $0.02

btw, working on up-armored suburbans and HMMWV's (humvee's) that we use overseas, I have yet to see/hear of a laminated bulletproof lexan. maybe this is a brand new technology...

RotorMotor

Go on a diet and lose 15 lbs instead....

gonnahanvan8

Umm, I think that was the original intent for lexan. here's a link. http://www.howstuffworks.com/question476.htm

tjbourgoyne

Hahaa! I'm already the epitome of fitness, besides I weight about 130. Took out the spare, jack, flat kit, emptied washer fluid, engine cover bye bye now. Next move are the MS rims but after that I start running out of ideas.

w0rm

Be a real man and remove your A/C

Paul_in_DC

Actually I'm considering a DIY mod using a Lexan rear quarter window, putting a clear NACA duct on it and routing it towards the driver for better driver cooling at the track. On 90+ degree summer days, with a black leather interior, it gets bastard hot in there.

GrRx8MaZdA

I know this is over a year but any news on that or i m going to try it first

savedsol

MazdaMotorsports sells Lexan windows for the 8. I know front and sides. Not sure about rear. You can get carbon front ends from a GT car and much, much more.

mac11

iTrader: (1)

You have a LOT easier ways to lose MUCH more weight.

GrRx8MaZdA

In your place i wouldnt talk mate i m changing the car a lot and just in mind the almost 500crank wont satisfy my needs....just looking for options...anyhow thanks for the reminding ;p

BigRed

IMO, theres no point for you to shed weight. You already added a lot from the sound system you have.

ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

if I remember right lexan is illegal in the states because it doesn't function like safety glass would in a crash

staticlag

Thats true, either:

a) It might be solid as a brick wall, you get in a crash and it dislodges as a complete whole and slices your chest in half.

b) Its pretty soild, and your head/body part goes though it, but it gets stuck halfway in the glass, and you get what is called a "glass collar"

Either way death is most certainly assured.

Safety glass may cut you up because of the tiny shards that shatter, but there are no large pieces to severely injure you, or to get stuck in as part of your body tries to exit the vehicle.


That being said, I want to do lexan!

Its a good thing because your losing weight off the top of the car, thus lowering the center of gravity.

ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

im not saying don't do it, just look out for what the dangers may be

GrRx8MaZdA

ok convinced...i ll do it!! :p no just kidding..thanks guys..i was just collecting info and i got a lot of help thanks.

longpath

iTrader: (1)

Ideally, polycarbonate such as Lexan needs to be laminated with something harder such as glass to attain bullet-resistance; but it is possible to achieve with a pure polycarbonate transparency. Unfortunately, it would have to be so thick (I believe one inch thick is enough to equate to NIJ Level II) that it would weigh more than the stock rear window.

Lexan isn't usually sold as bullet-resistant transparency material because it has to be so thick if it isn't laminated with glass that installation and optical issues render it useless. I have seen panels of one inch thick that someone (said panel was located in the store at the Blue Trail range in Wallingford, CT in case anyone wants to go see it themselves) stopped .38Spl, .45ACP, and some less powerful loads, suggesting it is roughly equivalent to NIJ Level II.

If properly laminated, ballistic transparency (glass/polycarbonate sandwich) 21mm thick (0.82677165 inches) is rated to NIJ Level III but weighs a brutally heavy 9.1 pounds per square inch, the exact opposite of what the OP was looking for.

mac11

iTrader: (1)

mazda competition has front and rear windows of lexan listed.