[Seven30]

A while back Flash was considering a 968 spyder, and I can't get the thought out of my head. Seems like I can't ditch the entire front windshield and still comply with the rules, so I'm considering (still very much a paper exercise) to lower the front windshield. Is it at all possible to cut the top of the glass and remove some material from the steel frame? The idea is to find the height of the top of the driver's helmet when sitting in a race seat low to the floor, and then building a full cage at the appropriate height with a front windshield to match.



Would it be best to have no roof at all, fabric, or a carbonfibre top in the shape of the 968 convertible's?



Could the doors be replaced with some CF panels, and the driver just jump into the car after removing the safety net?



Again, this is just a paper exercise on what could be done to a 968 convertible, I just think it is an interesting topic <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Cloud9...68]

There don't appear to be any carbon fiber panels of any kind available for this car, so unless you have access to some CF fabrication equipment and facilities, and have the skills to do it yourself, this could be a significant sticking point to your plans. But if you do have the capability to do custom CF work, let's talk, because I would kill for a CF hood...<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[aslet]

GT Racing... They have all the main items. Most they make in FG or CF.

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[flash]

The last time i checked the gt racing cf stuff was cf lain over fiberglass

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[Seven30]

Guys, guys, could we please stay on topic? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Nomatter what material, I'm sure there are some 968 Convertible parts that there are no CF or FG replacements for.



Please join in on some brainstorming <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[94SilverCab]

OK, back on topic...



First, I would say no top whatsoever...remove all the hardware and install a cowl behind the seats.



Jay

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[flash]

i was on topic, as were the others - you asked if there were other parts - there are - you can pretty much replace the entire body - somebody else chimed in with a vendor and material - i said what i think to be true about that particular manufacturer's parts



i agree - no top - add rear cowling



if you are worried about rules, you are either in the wrong group, or contemplating the wrong project - such a thing will never be allowed in most groups - you will be hard pressed to get them to allow a structurally modified cab at all in any class of racing other than super-modified, and you can forget about PCA entirely

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[94SilverCab]

Keep the windshield frame, but replace glass with Lexan. Get rid of side glass and use that line as support for the roll cage.



It could a be cool dirt tracker <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Jay

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[Seven30]

Quote: [color="#0000FF"]i was on topic, as were the others - you asked if there were other parts - there are - you can pretty much replace the entire body - somebody else chimed in with a vendor and material - i said what i think to be true about that particular manufacturer's parts



i agree - no top - add rear cowling



if you are worried about rules, you are either in the wrong group, or contemplating the wrong project - such a thing will never be allowed in most groups - you will be hard pressed to get them to allow a structurally modified cab at all in any class of racing other than super-modified, and you can forget about PCA entirely[/color] Unquote



The material in itself is not the point, and I wasn't asking for parts <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Let's leave that topic aside as it takes the attention away from the things I asked about.



I've seen Boxters race, i.e. Boxter Spec class, so I'm surprised to learn that topless Porsches aren't wanted in "most groups". Or is it a 2+2 seater topless versus 2 seater topless discussion? A hardtop is mandatory in the Boxter Spec class, not sure about the UK Boxter class.



So I'll ask the local car glass place if a front window can in fact be cut. I believe Lexan isn't allowed within the regulations.



Tha only reason to have a Spyder would be the reduced weight wouldn't it? No roof, no side windows, no rear window, possibly no functioning doors... Defroster obsolete <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Thanks for the input so far, food for thought.

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[flash]

you asked about cf door replacements - they exist - that is why we started talking about body parts - but we can move on from that



you cannot cut tempered glass or safety glass - you will have to make a new windshield



once you start making structural changes (the windshield frame on the 968 cab is a structural component, consisting of added reinforcement over the hardtop version) you will fall outside the rules of any production class - you will have to race in a class that is pretty much judged and categorized by nothing more than power to weight - as far as i know PCA does not have a class like that - SCCA used to have a class like that, but i think it's gone - i think NASA has one though, which is where i would have to run if i do it too



DE events are a completely different matter, and allow almost anything

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[Seven30]

Quote [color="#0000FF"]you asked about cf door replacements - they exist - that is why we started talking about body parts - but we can move on from that



you cannot cut tempered glass or safety glass - you will have to make a new windshield



once you start making structural changes (the windshield frame on the 968 cab is a structural component, consisting of added reinforcement over the hardtop version) you will fall outside the rules of any production class - you will have to race in a class that is pretty much judged and categorized by nothing more than power to weight - as far as i know PCA does not have a class like that - SCCA used to have a class like that, but i think it's gone - i think NASA has one though, which is where i would have to run if i do it too



DE events are a completely different matter, and allow almost anything [/color]Unquote



Thanks, now I see where the misunderstanding was: I am fully aware of CF/FG doors, the question was, and still is, not having functional doors but rather a CF/FG plate that looks like a door, making the driver jump over the "door", under the roll cage. Feasible? Again, just playing with ideas <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Also thanks for pointing out the part of the rules that would eliminate a lowered windshield, I read your last post as leaving convertibles with little to no hope of racing.



Ordering a new, custom windshield could be a bit OTT for the few inches of frontal area it would save <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[aslet]

Most cars I have seen that have no door also have no roof, letting the driver hop into the top. Going through the window opening may be very hard.

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[flash]

you can go over the top - that's been done, at least on other cars - basically you have to make the cage completely close off the entry, and then skin the open area - this is usually done with a fiberglass door, but has also been done with the sheet metal skin welded to the body and ground flush



again though, if you in a class other than super-modified, you will have a very hard time getting approved, and could easily end up with a pissed off steward black flagging you at the last minute, even though you had been approved before - i went through this a number of years ago - it was a real pain in the butt, and unfortunately, by the time it was sorted out, the race was over - frankly, i think that was the point - club racing is so full of politics that it is usually easier not to push the rules too much

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