Lightweight T-bar Panels

[elbon50]

Thinking of making some panels from ali sheet using the original fixing system

Have a pair of spare panels to use for this

The bracket, holding the locking system to the glass seems to be attached using epoxy resin

Has anyone tried to remove the bracket from the glass

Using heat or extreme cold perhaps

[oukie]

From memory I'm sure its bolted also, I took one apart once but several years ago.

Chris

[elbon50]

From memory I'm sure its bolted also, I took one apart once but several years ago.

Chris

Yes there are a couple of setscrews that fasten into the two "blobs" that are visible on the outside of the glass Chris

Have taken those out

[Tiamat]

I would save your time and effort to be honest.

Mark Edwards had carbon fibre T-bars made up and the weight difference between them and the original glass ones was not particularly different.

Most of the weight of the T-bars is in the locking mechanism and the associated surround.

If you're going to seriously consider losing weight then you should consider alternative ways to fix the T-bars and do away with that weighty lump.

[Lauren]

IIRC the difference betweeen a tintop and a t-bar is about 20kgs. Tin top is stiffer too.

[elbon50]

IIRC the difference betweeen a tintop and a t-bar is about 20kgs. Tin top is stiffer too.

In the long term I'd like to get a roof panel from a scrap tintop (or modify a sunroof panel)

Remove the windscreen & weld it in

That way I could get rid of the rot above the screen as well

Tintops are like rocking horse manure of course

[Lauren]

You'd be far better off re-shelling a sunroof UK car that is clean. But it's a lot of work to save 20kgs so you have to ask yourself if it's worth it.

[elbon50]

You'd be far better off re-shelling a sunroof UK car that is clean. But it's a lot of work to save 20kgs so you have to ask yourself if it's worth it.

I agree. Don't see me doing that really, although it's a nice idea


A glass panel complete weighs 4kg according to my bathroom scale

With locking mechanism removed 3.5kg

Looks like a couple of kilos a side could be saved by swapping the glass for plastic or ali.

[Lauren]

Looks like a couple of kilos a side could be saved by swapping the glass for plastic or ali.

Sounds like it''s a complete waste of time!

[elbon50]

Looks like a couple of kilos a side could be saved by swapping the glass for plastic or ali.

Sounds like it''s a complete waste of time!

A lot of the 20kg is in the associated metalwork it seems

The T-bar roof panels and also the extra strengthening in the sills I suppose

Nevertheless, removing bits of weight from all over the car, a little here & a little there, it all subtracts down

[SuperRedMR2]

How much weight have you actually removed then Peter so far?

[andyj]

Not wishing to split hairs but the Brian Long MR2 Coupes and Spyders book says the T bar actually added 30kg (66lbs). Interestingly compares with 50kg (110lbs) added by the supercharger installation, he says. Got me thinking with a tin top SC I'm only 20kg above NA T bar weight perhaps. If I gave up beer and exercised more maybe I could reduce the weight even more!

[stenky]

http://pl-performance.com/products.shtml

they state they do "toyota mr2 mk1 roof panels left and right" in fiberglass , kevlar or CF. if you'll volunteer and confirm good fitment and product quality, I'll be the second one in the queue

[elbon50]

http://pl-performance.com/products.shtml

they state they do "toyota mr2 mk1 roof panels left and right" in fiberglass , kevlar or CF. if you'll volunteer and confirm good fitment and product quality, I'll be the second one in the queue

I have been in contact with that company a while ago Stenky

Could go & visit him sometime. He's not far from here

[stenky]

So, I decided to leave the shallow waters...

Volunteering as a guinea pig for my friend's starting CF company, I have had the T-Bars made of CF.

The weight difference:
Glass panel -> 3400g + shades (3500g maybe?)
CF sandwich panel -> 900g

I haven't swapped the locking mechanism yet, but on trial fitment, they sat snugly. More information to come. Oh and we've made a mould for them so we can reproduce them for the community if desired. (no advertisement intended)







When I am back from holidays, I might start my own mods thread as the panels aren't the only thing we have made of CF

Any guesses?

[Zirax]

Hmmm, bonnet & boot lid maybe?

[kaiowas]

I've no need for tbar panels (our car was a sunroof - now 20kg lighter since I cut it out and plated over), but I might be interested in other parts

[Lauren]

They look quite cool, which may be a reason itself to have them, but in regard to weight saving 2.6kgs says there isn't much to gain.

[Mk1Chris]

If you are doing it for looks, then thats fine, but for weight saving i'd suggest if you are down to saving 2.6 kg, you bought the wrong chassis in the first place.

[stenky]

Tintops are extremely rare even in UK. Now imagie how many LHD ones are even remotely available in the rest of Europe. Just a clue. The number we are guessing wasnt considered a number not so long ago. I am working with what i got. 5kg here, 5 there and i believe that after investing some small fortune in CF parts, I can make my car close to 30kg lighter.