what to do about my sunroof???

[409industries]

So I'm faced with a problem, i knew it going in but its time to figure out the best way to deal with it. This car is going to be run in local stage rallies, but eventually i want Rally America to be an option.

In the Rally America rule book it says:


6.4. MINIMUM SCRUTINEERING REQUIREMENTS

24. Movable metal sunroofs and/or roof panels have been fixed in the
closed position. Glass or plastic sunroofs and/or roof panels are not
allowed. Glass or plastic sunroofs and/or roof panels shall have
been replaced with metal and shall be fixed in the closed position.
The finished work must be of equal or greater strength than the
permanent roof.


I have a 01 RS that has the factory sunroof. I am getting ready to get the cage work done and want to make sure i have dealt with getting rid of the sunroof. What is legal? Can i weld it shut?

All my fab buddies are saying that the roof is too thin to weld.

Do i need to swap the roof with one off an L?

what can i do?

Thanks for any advice.

[james.c.obrien]

Two words, Aaron. Duct. Tape.

[sebhockey]

You should be able to tig weld it...but swapping might be a better idea.

[22b-righton]

So I'm faced with a problem, i knew it going in but its time to figure out the best way to deal with it. This car is going to be run in local stage rallies, but eventually i want Rally America to be an option.

In the Rally America rule book it says:



I have a 01 RS that has the factory sunroof. I am getting ready to get the cage work done and want to make sure i have dealt with getting rid of the sunroof. What is legal? Can i weld it shut?

All my fab buddies are saying that the roof is too thin to weld.

Do i need to swap the roof with one off an L?

what can i do?

Thanks for any advice.

Aaron,

The best thing to do is pull the sunroof assy, strip the guts out (motors, wiring, etc.), get the cage in and welded up, then reinstall the sunroof "patch" that's remaining. Welding it in is the best way (they can warp, be careful), but I've seen them just tacked and sealed (and just sealed too) as well. You couldn't "legally" swap in an L skin, as no RS came without a sunroof..It can be done, but your fab guys need to turn their settings down a bit from what they are welding the cage with.

Tacking it and sealing it would be the easiest option..You used to be able to just make it "non functional", and that was legal. These days they must be sealed shut.

Hope this helps.
B-

[rollo]

Yeah, that's exactly what Jon O did to the yellow Sentra. He tacked and sealed it I think.

[Team Illuminata]

I don't have direct experience with this but I believe the last one I saw done was tack welded and sealed.

However, I believe your answer will be found at http://www.specialstage.com/forums/index.php the clearing house of rally related questions and answers.

[L and E Fab.com]

I like replacing the roof skin with a L roof skin it looks much better.

I am also anti-P-GT. I think there should be a open N/a and Open Turbo 4wd.

But that is just me.

[I Like It Sideways]

I like replacing the roof skin with a L roof skin it looks much better.

I am also anti-P-GT. I think there should be a open N/a and Open Turbo 4wd.

But that is just me.

I second that. x 14034502

[Rallycat66]

I second that. x 14034502

The other advantage to changing out the roof skin is that you can remove the current roof, install the cage (better access for welding the top portions of the cage), then put the new roof skin on. Makes life a little easier for the cage installer.

Tim

[BorkedWRX]

carbon fiber roof, or is that not legal?

[IneedRS]

Wow. That sounds like a lot of work. GL! :muhaha:

[L and E Fab.com]

carbon fiber roof, or is that not legal?

Not legal.

[drt suby]

it can be weld... Im thinking its abt .040 of an inch think... **** even .011 is weldable. but your going to have to GTAW it & your going to have to stitch weld it. use some kind of filler epoxy to fill the gap in between. Too much heat/welds will warp the roof. Find yourself a certified aerospace welder.. like myself :0

[RS-ti_Andy]

i got it!.. just put a big roof scoop over the hole! lol then u hide it and u have a working roof scoop! lol

[JacksonRally]

it can be weld... Im thinking its abt .040 of an inch think... **** even .011 is weldable. but your going to have to GTAW it & your going to have to stitch weld it. use some kind of filler epoxy to fill the gap in between. Too much heat/welds will warp the roof. Find yourself a certified aerospace welder.. like myself :0

F-it lets bring in Aarons car and I'll let you do it. I don't want to be the one to warp a roof, nor do I have the patience to tack, cool, tack, cool...etc.

[L and E Fab.com]

Buy a Evo?

[drt suby]

F-it lets bring in Aarons car and I'll let you do it. I don't want to be the one to warp a roof, nor do I have the patience to tack, cool, tack, cool...etc.


im just saying it can be done... its not too thin.. what other options does he have ??... reskin, big roof scoop, revit a panel in place of the sunroof.. it just has to stay in the closed position right ??? how do they do it on WEST COAST CUSTOMS ??? ahhaha

[JacksonRally]

im just saying it can be done... its not too thin.. what other options does he have ??... reskin, big roof scoop, revit a panel in place of the sunroof.. it just has to stay in the closed position right ??? how do they do it on WEST COAST CUSTOMS ??? ahhaha


Ha Ha my guess is Bondo!!

[RS-ti_Andy]

Buy a Evo?

dont ever say that again! :machinegunleft:

[JacksonRally]

S**t I wish my car had an alum. roof.

[Galen]

i got it!.. just put a big roof scoop over the hole! lol then u hide it and u have a working roof scoop! lol

heh, just pull off the sunroof, turn it around, open it and call it a roof scoop!! Ghetto FTW:headbang:

[RS-ti_Andy]

heh, just pull off the sunroof, turn it around, open it and call it a roof scoop!! Ghetto FTW:headbang:


haha yeah! lol but i dont think aaron is ghetto lol

[Galen]

haha yeah! lol but i dont think aaron is ghetto lol
dam, you found the flaw in my plan. bummer.

[409industries]

im just saying it can be done... its not too thin.. what other options does he have ??... reskin, big roof scoop, revit a panel in place of the sunroof.. it just has to stay in the closed position right ??? how do they do it on WEST COAST CUSTOMS ??? ahhaha

Paul, are you volunteering to help in this scenario? :) :) :)

I think louie might wanting a roof welded shut right after this is done. then dave... you could start a roof-welding-shut-business.

I know the Rally Innovations guys welded theirs shut (or rather removed the sunroof and filled it with piece of metal) so i know it can be done. They filled the top too. The crazy thing was after they hit something with the car it cracked the seal around the metal plate!

Im all for welding shut, i have more important things to spend my money on than buying another cars roof and affixing it to mine, when what i have just fine. In the end its going to be my roll cage that saves my life.

If its gonna take a long time ill pay you by the hour. hows that!? :lol2:

[ankyle62]

a guy i know with a crx put a piece of carbon fiber over the hole. duct tape is cheaper, or maybe a roof scoop

[overtheover]

if heat will warp it, why not some pop-rivets and some sealer caulk?

maybe a brace that ties in with the roll cage that goes through from the passenger side to driver side?

ideass :)

[409industries]

if heat will warp it, why not some pop-rivets and some sealer caulk?

maybe a brace that ties in with the roll cage that goes through from the passenger side to driver side?

ideass :)

personally i dont care how it is made to stay in a "fixed closed position" its just need to pass a log book inspection.

[drt suby]

Paul, are you volunteering to help in this scenario? :) :) :)

I think louie might wanting a roof welded shut right after this is done. then dave... you could start a roof-welding-shut-business.

I know the Rally Innovations guys welded theirs shut (or rather removed the sunroof and filled it with piece of metal) so i know it can be done. They filled the top too. The crazy thing was after they hit something with the car it cracked the seal around the metal plate!

Im all for welding shut, i have more important things to spend my money on than buying another cars roof and affixing it to mine, when what i have just fine. In the end its going to be my roll cage that saves my life.

If its gonna take a long time ill pay you by the hour. hows that!? :lol2:

yeah sure im down... Give Jackson Rally a call so we can set something up..

[RS-ti_Andy]

personally i dont care how it is made to stay in a "fixed closed position" its just need to pass a log book inspection.


i got it! ill call up my friend troy and we will get a big piece of vinal, and some plastic.. with color matching vinal.. from top.. it looks like a new square of paint.. then inside the same thing and then spray that flufy tweed spary in the color of the interior.. total hide job for like 8 bucks orrr just reapolster the celing covering the whole up! and then we car just vainal the top..lol

[22b-righton]

Aaron,
Please look back at my first post.. that's the way to do it.

Reuse what you've got without the guts, and seal it..It works and is cost effective.:mrgreen: tried and true. None of our sunroof patches gave fallen out..

[409industries]

Aaron,
Please look back at my first post.. that's the way to do it.

Reuse what you've got without the guts, and seal it..It works and is cost effective.:mrgreen: tried and true. None of our sunroof patches gave fallen out..

Again. Good advice, and this is the route we are going to go. Spoke with Jackson Rally (and crew) and were going to tackle the job after the holidays. I already have the roof liner out etc, so i see whats involved in getting the sunroof motor removed along with the guides, etc.

I want that stuff out!

[gyoza]

Hey, this guy had a good idea, i dont know if its regulation though..

http://www.spaceweave.com/reg.jpg


hey also, ill take your guts if you dont want them in case my motor ever dies/goes out:)

[iceflap]

looks like you found a solution to the problem but i was going to say i was going to be out in the oc (i know dont call it that) but i would of done that for you and made it look factory after paint. ive done hundreds of those patches but give me a pm if you need help wif that

[gr8wheels]

I saw Vermont Sportscar and AV sport do it this way.
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7647

Drill out the spot welds and heat with gun and remove old skin.

Replace Skin. When you do you do not need to weld and any autobody supply sells Panel adhesive, 2 part strong stuff, GM says they can build a whole car with it and never have to weld!

[409industries]

I saw Vermont Sportscar and AV sport do it this way.
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7647


Thanks for the tip. I don't think i ever got around to posting and pics, but i did source a JDM roof skin for the GC. When time permits, the roof will be re-skinned.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/imagehosting/rs_roofskin.jpg

... and that sexy roof vent will be installed :mrgreen:

[anaonbd]

I wanna see the sexy roof vent!!

[409industries]

I wanna see the sexy roof vent!!

Not so cool off the car though :(

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/project_rs/2008-3-22-RA_vent/RA_vent1.jpg

[aresbykes]

i waaaaaaannnnnnntttttt that roof vent.