CF Sunroof Delete Questions

[gixxer]

Hello,

Looking to go with the AJ Hartman's carbon sunroof delete.

Is the folks general consensus/experience is that although the csl roof is the best for form and function, would a mere sunroof delete alone (saving of ~70 lbs or so ???) be "worth" the effort to reduce similar center of gravity height similar to csl roof?

The csl roof has been in todo list for a while, but just could not stomach the installation.

Recently noticed the sunroof headliner (on 2004 MY) drooping at the rear, not very noticeable from front but being OCD, thinking of replacing (or repairing).

Thought while at it, maybe do a next best thing (???) to csl roof, to do a sunroof delete.

In my note, i have the metal roof comes in at ~7 lbs. So bulk of the weight saving is from the sunroof delete, adds about ~2 lbs, according to AJ Hartman's site. So, ~9 to 10 lbs is what i would be left with after the sunroof delete, compared to csl roof weight of ~5 lbs (???). This seem to suggest as folks state, there is no point if putting in CF roof on a no sunroof car, unless you are after the look.

Car is mystic blue metallic, thinking is to "maybe" wrap CF on rest of the roof. Or, get the CF sunroof delete painted. <<------------- if i'm after more blended look at the top,

But if i'm after the function (over form) then would most folks agree, the CF sunroof delete is the way to go?



Thanks.

[bigjae46]

Depends. Probably won’t notice much if a performance change if you’re close to stock weight. It will add more headroom for helmets.

I think it’s something worth doing.


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[gixxer]

Depends. Probably won’t notice much if a performance change if you’re close to stock weight. It will add more headroom for helmets.

I think it’s something worth doing.


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Thanks.

Weight wise, probably noticeable (???) is from swapping the stock electric/heated seats for recaro PP seats with usual installation hardware (recaro steel side brackets, recaro sliders and macht schnell aluminum floor mounts, and steel submarine brackets and bolt-in harness receptacles).

I was sort of going for CF roof "look", and thought sunroof delete would be way to get there, with also little bit of weight savings.

Seems like CF wrap on the roof with sunroof intact seem just wrong.

[EthanolTurbo]

Thanks.

Weight wise, probably noticeable (???) is from swapping the stock electric/heated seats for recaro PP seats with usual installation hardware (recaro steel side brackets, recaro sliders and macht schnell aluminum floor mounts, and steel submarine brackets and bolt-in harness receptacles).

I was sort of going for CF roof "look", and thought sunroof delete would be way to get there, with also little bit of weight savings.

Seems like CF wrap on the roof with sunroof intact seem just wrong.

Your thinking is spot on. This combined with PP seats is a significant weight reduction of about 140-150 lbs. Combine it with lightweight wheels and you're at 180-190 lbs off the car in the best places.

[gixxer]

Your thinking is spot on. This combined with PP seats is a significant weight reduction of about 140-150 lbs. Combine it with lightweight wheels and you're at 180-190 lbs off the car in the best places.

Hrm, looking at the install photo in this thread with sunroof headlining with sunroof delete, does not look that bad, and also shows bit of nice CF look inside the cabin (???). Again, 80% function, 20% form i'm shooting for. I could perhaps save few $$$, keeping stock headlining, if i can repair that little fabric droop toward back. And perhaps apply the savings toward replacing my style 163M wheels.

Hrm...

[bigjae46]

Suggest two people to do the removal. Be sure to have a plan before dropping the cassette.

That’s all I have to say about that…


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[Estoril]

Thanks.

Weight wise, probably noticeable (???) is from swapping the stock electric/heated seats for recaro PP seats with usual installation hardware (recaro steel side brackets, recaro sliders and macht schnell aluminum floor mounts, and steel submarine brackets and bolt-in harness receptacles).

I was sort of going for CF roof "look", and thought sunroof delete would be way to get there, with also little bit of weight savings.

Seems like CF wrap on the roof with sunroof intact seem just wrong.

On a street car - you'll never notice the slightest difference. On a track car - maaaaybe if the car is driven at the limits and you are balancing the car at those limits.

[Nate047]

Yea you probably won't really notice a huge difference, but if you WANT to notice it in your mind, you will "feel" it. As someone said above though, if you're doing seats, and if you do lightweight wheels too, that's a solid little chunk of weight gone right there. All from the highest point of the car, and from the rotating mass on each corner, plus the fact that seats hold you better and will lower your center of gravity a little bit too, all of that together will make a big difference on the ole' butt dyno and confidence meter.

[mrgizmo04]

would a mere sunroof delete alone (saving of ~70 lbs or so ???) be "worth" the effort to reduce similar center of gravity height similar to csl roof?

Weights listed on some sites are incorrect.

Doing a sunroof delete panel is only a saving of about 32lbs.

-Sunroof roof liner 3.5 lbs
-Lights, pillars, sun visors, rubber seam for sunroof glass, oh shit handles, clothes hooks, sunroof motor - all 8 lbs
-Sunroof glass 14 lbs
-Sunroof cassette 16.5 lbs

CSL liner is about 3.5lbs, assuming you put everything else back on - pillars, sun visors, etc, you only basically save on the glass and the cassette/motor itself.

Remove the glass first, separately from the cassette (4 screws), makes it a lot easier to remove everything by yourself.

Doing roof vs just the panel, I heard nets another 7-10lbs, so not huge.

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[gixxer]

CSL liner is about 3.5lbs, assuming you put everything else back on - pillars, sun visors, etc, you only basically save on the glass and the cassette/motor itself.

Remove the glass first, separately from the cassette (4 screws), makes it a lot easier to remove everything by yourself.

Doing roof vs just the panel, I heard nets another 7-10lbs, so not huge.

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That's good to know. Following panel removal video seem helpful.

I did find m3 weights thread in this forum, very useful.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...ht-data-thread


I'm just going to see for myself by weighing the front seats vs the recaro pp with hardware's.


To those that have the AJ Hartman CF sunroof panel, did the panel gave a good flush seating with the rest of the roof line?

From the various installed pictures of this panel, the roof line seem to be more or less flushed.

Trying to see if CF wrap the whole roof would be pointless because of panel not flush with the roof line.


Thanks.

[eacmen]

That's good to know. Following panel removal video seem helpful.

I did find m3 weights thread in this forum, very useful.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/67786-m3-weight-data-thread

I'm just going to see for myself by weighing the front seats vs the recaro pp with hardware's.


To those that have the AJ Hartman CF sunroof panel, did the panel gave a good flush with the rest of the roof line?

From the various installed pictures of this panel, the roof line seem to be more or less flushed.

Trying to see if CF wrap the whole roof would be pointless because of panel not flush with the roof line.


Thanks.

AJ hartman panel is perfect fit. The outside appearance is very dependent on the skill of the person applying the silicon sealant.

[gixxer]

AJ hartman panel is perfect fit. The outside appearance is very dependent on the skill of the person applying the silicon sealant.

Thanks.

AJ Hartman it is !

I'm just banging my head against the wall because i just recently had B and C pillars removed. A pillars are fairly straightforward, although i'm certain i'll break something (clips) along the way.

[eacmen]

Thanks.

AJ Hartman it is !

I'm just banging my head against the wall because i just recently had B and C pillars removed. A pillars are fairly straightforward, although i'm certain i'll break something (clips) along the way.

Sorry can’t help you much there. I was stripping the interior for a track build.

[SandeepM3]

Here is a second panel from AJ I had to get for my next car. Also perfect fitment. When installing and letting the sealant (and I also use adhesive) dry I used sticks to apply pressure to each corner and long edge to insure it dried flush and didn't sag.

[Estoril]

AJ hartman panel is perfect fit. The outside appearance is very dependent on the skill of the person applying the silicon sealant.

This is how I approached it:



Then smoothed it with the edge of an old credit card.