Tech/Safety Question

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley) 09/04/2017 at 18:35 • Filed to: None

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Would a glass roof be legal for autocross or track use?

I may have an opportunity to pick one up come spring.

WRXforScience > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/04/2017 at 18:42

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Yes, but glass is heavy and the roof is the worst place to add weight. So if autox and track use is your planned use, get the regular fixed roof.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WRXforScience 09/04/2017 at 18:47

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I’ve actually heard slightly different. While slightly heavier, the glass roof Mustang actually has significantly better structural rigidity.

dogisbadob > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/04/2017 at 18:51

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Too bad that glass roof doesn’t open :/

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/04/2017 at 18:55

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Awesome! I’ve always kinda wanted one of those, they’re such a forgotten oddity.

WRXforScience > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/04/2017 at 19:04

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That doesn’t make much sense, glass is incredibly weak in anything except compression. Unless there is significant bracing to keep torsional forces from shattering the glass, the roof itself should just be a performance liability.

There is no way a heavy roof will help you performance wise. You’d be better off adding a rollcage for rigidity, a half cage will only keep you from sitting in the back (which no one does anyway). I guarantee that this will perform worse than the same car with a metal roof.

There is a reason that manufacturers put carbon fiber roofs and aluminum hoods on performance versions of their cars. Weight is bad, weight up high and/or far from the center of mass is worse.

You can try an experiment for yourself: get an office water jug (5gal is about 40lbs) and try strapping it to your roof and going around some corners, then secure the jug inside the cabin (ideally directly below where you mounted it on the roof to minimize variables) and go around the same corners. You will notice the jug on your roof, but you probably won’t notice it inside the car (as long as it isn’t in your way and is secured).

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WRXforScience 09/04/2017 at 19:08

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I said it was more rigid, not lighter.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > WRXforScience 09/04/2017 at 19:47

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Yeah, but it’s only like +50 pounds in a car with a massive powerful V8. It’s not going to ruin it.

Also, it is a specific car that I may have an opportunity on, so the normal roof isn’t an option

WRXforScience > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/04/2017 at 19:56

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I don’t think it’ll ruin the car. There were issues with some of the panoramic sunroofs from ford (they had a class action lawsuit and a recall), but I don’t know if that included the fixed roof mustangs.

I wouldn’t want one as an option on a new car, but it wouldn’t keep me from a specific used example. I’ve been bald since senior year of high school, so I’ve never been a fan of convertibles or sunroofs.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/04/2017 at 19:58

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That said, if it’s the 4.6 and not the 5.0, it’s not worth it. Your FiST is nearly as fast in a straight line, and will destroy it in the bends.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/04/2017 at 20:21

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It’s the 5.0! I dunno if I will, it may be an option come spring

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/04/2017 at 20:48

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I don’t know about Auto Cross, but I’ve taken my glass-roofed Mustang to several track days in the past & no tracks had a problem with it.

Also it’s for sale in case you want more CL Mustang options. Just saying ;)

https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/d/2013-ford-mustang-gt-premium/6281618787.html

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 09/04/2017 at 20:50

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Detroit’s a little ways from Vancouver

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/04/2017 at 21:04

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No! I’m sure the beautiful sky views through its glass roof on your drive back home would be more than worth it...

Nauraushaun > WRXforScience 09/05/2017 at 04:38

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Pfft. If it’s not a pure track car get what you want, the difference is pretty negligible.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/05/2017 at 16:58

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I’m sure it doesn’t matter for autocross use, but for track use it depends on what you mean. For TINA, or other open lapping type track days, it probably won’t matter. Most of those don’t require much more than a helmet and closed-toe shoes. If your plans ever include actually racing, then the answer is probably not. I believe both NASA and SCCA club racing rule books require glass sunroofs to have the mechanisms removed and the glass replaced with an aluminum panel on improved touring type levels of car preparation.