Anyone using GT Racing's complete 911 roof?

70SWT · 12-16-2007, 05:14 AM

Anyone using item 22a from GT Racing's website, the complete fiberglass or CF 911 roof assembly? Got pics? (I am familiar with Thom's similar concept at rennlight.com...)

Properly installed, this looks like a great way to create the rain gutterless look while also losing a ton of weight from arguably the most important place, up high. Thinking of doing this with the targa after having a custom cage built. The total weight of a relatively simple cage (? typical weight?) plus the GT Racing roof (14.5 lbs) should still be less than a complete steel roof, and some of the cage's weight would be below the beltline of the car.

Kicking around ideas during the long haul out of country; man, I can't wait to get back and get my car together...

CarlP · CarlP's Garage

Subscribed. I've been thinking about this too.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

My personal experience with GT Racing stuff is that it looks good but it is a HUGE pain in the rump to get it to fit/bolt up properly. They simply make rough molds of the parts and pour. That's what you get. The response (in my personal experience) is a bit slow and the fitment is a huge headache. But the stuff looks great when you're done.

DO NOT expect "bolt up" stuff. That's all I'm trying to say.

I can't personally speak for the 911 roof (that's not what I bought, but I've heard similar sentiments from others). Overall quality is decent, but again - do not expect "bolt up" operation.

TimT · 12-16-2007, 09:48 PM

We have a current project where we dipped the tub, then cut the roof off and fitted a glass roof..

FYI you can get a simple roof skin where you cut the old roof away and leave a 2" flange to bond the new roof to, or you can get a piece which mold to the A and C pillars.

As seen here

Jeff Alton · 12-16-2007, 10:29 PM

Tim,

Where does one find such a roof panel? Also what is the weight of the metal panel that is cut away?

Cheers

TimT · 12-16-2007, 10:40 PM

Jeff, not sure which you are looking for... But GT Racing for one supplies both a full roof replacement i.e. molds to the A and C pillars.

And they also supply the roof skin.... which fits over the old roof.. you just cut away the steel and bond the 'glass to it..

I have a bunch of pics... but Im between pcs now... the magic smoke got released from my old desktop and Im trying to gather all my files again

eimkeith · 12-17-2007, 09:41 AM

I doubt there is any weight savings done that way - all the weight is in the A, B, and C pillars (and sunroof assembly - 40 pounds right there)

Taking a non-sunroof skin off the factory supports and putting glass there won't net much, I'm afraid.

Conversely, a full cage (even minimal as possible) and glass roof probably won't beat out a non-sunroof roof in terms of weight, either. You still need significant A/B/C pillar support:

Jeff Alton · 12-17-2007, 10:02 AM

Ahhh, but for someone with a sunroof, there would be a savings wouldn't there?

Cheers

EarlyPorsche · 12-17-2007, 10:04 AM

Adding a roof? What keeps it from flying off? This sounds like not worth the cost type of modification, and I don't just mean monetary costs.

eimkeith · 12-17-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Adding a roof? What keeps it from flying off? This sounds like not worth the cost type of modification, and I don't just mean monetary costs.

If you bond it, it won't be flying off.

Jeff - you are correct. Or use a steel skin, like the factory did...?

Jeff Alton · 12-17-2007, 10:30 AM

Hmmm, where can I find a steel skin?

Would cutting my sunroff equipped skin out and replacing with metal non sunroof skin save me from the requirement to add the front half of the cage?

Cheers

petevb · 12-17-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Tim,

Where does one find such a roof panel? Also what is the weight of the metal panel that is cut away?

Cheers

On my '69 we cut away a steel non-sunroof panel, leaving a 2" lip all the way around, and replaced it with a bonded in foam-core carbon skin. This saved 8 lbs from the highest point on the car and actually increased stiffness. As a bonus it makes it much easier to weld the top pf the cage.

Jeff- as you might expect, I might be able to dig up a non-sunroof panel if you want one; pm/ email.

eimkeith · 12-17-2007, 10:51 AM

yes sir, if you avoid cutting the A pillars. There are a couple of threads about it here (and I'll take pictures of mine as I do it in January)

There was a steel skin for sale in the classifieds for $125.00 IIRC - about 2 weeks ago. I posted on that thread also - that should give you 2 search terms. I passed on it (was going to keep it around for future customer work)

Jeff Alton · 12-17-2007, 11:11 AM

You guys are great!!!

Cheers

Cory M · 12-17-2007, 11:55 AM

There are a few racecars I run with that have fiberglass roof panels, A/B pillars were left alone, basically a big hole was cut in the roof to remove the roof and sunroof support structure, then the FG panel was held in place with dzus fasteners. You do need to use arm restraints on the track though. If you start with a non-sunroof car it may not be worth it, the weight savings are substantial if you have a sunroof though.

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

If you have a cabriolet or targa, Thom Fitzpatrick (posts on this site) has a mold to make you carbon or fiberglass top for racing= very well done and seems to fit well from cars we have seen

If you are looking to close off the sunroof and save over 17 lbs, we make a oem replica sunroof panel that you can glue into place with faux "sunroof seal" black silicone and bonding material; or just bond it into place (as some racers have done)

If you have a coupe that is being converted to a full on racer, with proper cage, then we have a cowl to rear deck lid coupe fiberglass roof available. The B pillar and rear quarter window section will have to be fabricated as we don't have these sections available yet

Chuck Moreland · 12-17-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRE Cup

If you have a coupe that is being converted to a full on racer, with proper cage, then we have a cowl to rear deck lid coupe fiberglass roof available. The B pillar and rear quarter window section will have to be fabricated as we don't have these sections available yet

Any pictures? Can this be used on a targa?

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

here is a before and after pic on a targa. The car was completed by a shop back east and the owner. Note that we don't have the filler sections for the rear 1/4 window/ b pillar
Another consideration is the forward cowl area. You end up separating the dash supports and other items in the vicinity= lot of work to figure out what to do there. If you were to consider our part, you may want to think about cutting the roof panel just behind the A pillar/ windshield support so you leave the glass mounting / cowl/ dash areas intact.

Fitpatrick's roof is made specifically for targa/ cabs, so is a no brainer as he has incorporated all the details needed to mount them on those cars

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

here is a halfway pic

NY65912 · 05:08 PM

I've got a GT Racing FG roof waiting to go on ala Tim T's method. I'm looking to ditch the sunroof and loose weight at the top end.

Tim's work is shown here on this thread. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=311320

I'll be bonding it on as well.

And of course adding a cross bar overhead on the cage.

I've seen Tim's car up close and you can not see any discernable indication that there is a FG roof.