Carbon Roof Interest Thread...
 

Hey Guys,

During one of our UAM meetings today we tossed around the idea of developing a Carbon Fiber Roof Panel replacement. But before we add it to our development board we wanted to see what you guys thought of the idea. We have several options for CF weave pattern and color. Here are some of the weave styles that would be available: (All patterns are Aerospace grade with a 600+ksi rating)

2X2 Twill (3k) (649 ksi) (W:5.7oz/yd)
http://carbonsales.com/images/P/%2361052-50.jpg

Plain (3k) (653 ksi) (W:5.7oz/yd)
http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Shjpgl...laincarblg.jpg

V or Regular 4x4 Twill (3k) (Commercial Grade) (W:7.8oz/yd)
http://www.solarcomposites.com/images/4X4twill.JPG

PW "checkered board" (649 ksi) (W:5oz/yd) * Same pattern as seen in Formula 1 *
http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Prod...P_Carbon_2.jpg

Pricing is estimated to be in the $1200-$1500 range

Let us know what your thoughts are on this idea and if you would be interested.

Add your name to the list if this is a product you would like to purchase:

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Damn they look pretty sweet. Would the cover be for the touring model also? As the touring has the shark fin antenna and most carbon roof caps don't have it.

this would be a direct replacement not a roof cap. We would be also making it compatible for the antenna. (would require drilling)

Cool, i don't have the money so i won't push what i'd like, but if i had the cash i'd get the checkered F1 style.

Youll have more buyers for just a roof cap. Sunline is mad expensive.

We could do an overlay but we want to focus on a functional weight reduction part.

Mike :tup:

so one would have to cut off the roof ski and replace it with yours? also 2X2 or 4X4 please... others look cheap lol

Re: the antenna, it's actually a square hole that it mounts through on the stock roof.

It sounds like an interesting project. Any projections based on looking at the area, thickness of the existing roof on how much weight you could take off up there? Our metal roof is already pretty flimsy. Pounds up there are worth more though, since that's way up high and affects center of gravity more.

Would be a cool thing. Would be interested and I know a couple of people into track will be aswell

We are looking at about a 6lb or less roof... all of these material are aerospace rated so they will be extremely strong!

I'm still out cash for the carbon roof cap from two years ago :rofl2:

Interesting, 600ksi yield? I'd be more concerned with impact damage in a localized spot, and the safety if you manage to roll the car over...

An interesting idea for a CF roof, but probably for the hardcore trackers only. Good luck!

what is the weight on the stock roof?

Unless the roof is made of different material for a roll over crash I doubt it weighs much more then a CF replacement. Most of the CF parts I put on the car so far weigh the same or more then the stock parts. With out spending stupid ammounts on dry carbon this cars panels are pretty dang lite.

I got to poke at my roof while removing the antenna a few months back. It's definitely just a very flimsy sheet of a aluminum, and easily dinged/bent. There might be something else crash-related between the external roof panel and the interior roof liner, no idea really, didn't look, but most likely something else (e.g. the pillars, and the rear where the trunk lid comes close) accounts for crash safety. The stock outer roof itself wouldn't really protect you from jack.

How would a CF roof hold up to that sort of thing?

I had just such an incident at MSR, you can see it at 11:51 in this video (10s after this link starts): TDE MSR-Houston Nov 6 2011 - YouTube.

The black Porsche threw a chunk of tire rubber at me while we were finishing up a straight at ~90mph. It smacked into the leading edge of my roof hard enough to hear it over all the noise, and left a nice mark on my roof:

http://www.the370z.com/members/wstar...bber-track.jpg