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Ou-yang Liang Qing
Tinkerer
Melbourne
V8

Posts: 14
Reg: 04-2010

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Friday, July 30, 2010 - 10:50 pm, by:  Ou-yang Liang Qing (Raphael_86) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Any idea regarding the weight reduction for plastic windows on Soarers, and what are the pros and cons of swapping glass windows for plastic windows.
Mike Bradberry
Goo Roo
Queensland
LS400

Posts: 1970
Reg: 07-2005

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Saturday, July 31, 2010 - 06:17 am, by:  Mike Bradberry (Halflife) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm guessing, but I wouldn't think you'd lose more than 20Kg all up.
I doubt it would be legal (street use) and of course plastic will scratch much more easily.
Good thing for a race car, but not so good for street.
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NT
Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car

Posts: 2308
Reg: 04-2006

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Saturday, July 31, 2010 - 09:20 pm, by:  Ben Lipman (Ben12a) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm halfway through it. I have done the door and quarter glass with 3mm UV protected Lexan(polycarbonate). I have saved 8kg in the glass alone, and more with ancillaries (winder mech, trims, etc). I am hoping to save a bit in the rear glass when I get to it, but I reckon Mike is probably right with 20kg max.

Benefits:
1. light
2. Strong (resists impacts)

Drawbacks:
1. I very much doubt it would be legal.
2. Unless you are able to shape the lexan so it holds the complex curve on the front windows, you lose the ability to wind you windows up without getting out of the car to guide them by hand.
3. It will scratch much easier than glass. (a dirty sponge will do it)
4. I have no idea if you can tint it- probably can.
Tom Richards
TryHard
nsw
V8

Posts: 397
Reg: 08-2005

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Monday, August 02, 2010 - 01:59 pm, by:  Tom Richards (Tomr) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

what benefits do you expect for losing 20kg?

You could lose half that by eating less, which would be easier than replacing the glass.
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NT
Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car

Posts: 2310
Reg: 04-2006

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Monday, August 02, 2010 - 08:42 pm, by:  Ben Lipman (Ben12a) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


Tom Richards wrote on Monday, August 02, 2010 - 01:59 pm:

what benefits do you expect for losing 20kg?

You could lose half that by eating less, which would be easier than replacing the glass.




Clearly never tried to lose 20kg...or replace the glass in a Soarer. I have done both

In a street car most changes people make chasing performance are hardly noticeable, and largely a placebo effect. Spoilers, air dams, wider tyres, big front mounts, blow off valves, so on and so forth at 60kph would be hardly measurable. All together they may add up.

In a racecar/racetrack situation losing 20kg from so high in the car structure will be obvious. You will have less pitch under acceleration and braking, and less body roll during cornering etc. I can tell you a kilo here or there is worth chasing, and quickly adds up. The less mass you have to accelerate, brake and change direction the better.

As I said originally, the big question that needs to be asked: Is it legal?
Gary Redman
TryHard
NSW
Accord Euro Luxury

Posts: 423
Reg: 09-2005

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Tuesday, August 03, 2010 - 09:59 am, by:  Gary Redman (Gary) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It isn't legal because of the way polycarbonate breaks in a crash. Upon impact the plastic will break into large shards with very sharp protruding points and this is the obvious reason why plastic windows are not allowed. The old safety glass will shatter into a million smaller pieces with no large pieces, and laminated glass will hold together to some extent
Ben Lipman
Goo Roo
NT
Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car

Posts: 2311
Reg: 04-2006

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Tuesday, August 03, 2010 - 03:24 pm, by:  Ben Lipman (Ben12a) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I know perspex breaks like that, but I have not yet seen Lexan (polycarbonate) break. I had a piece in a vice and tried bending it until it broke, with no success. I also gave it the good news with a hammer.

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