Electric to manual window conversion

NY65912 · 12-11-2005, 07:40 AM

With the diet plan of the SC DEmobile I would like to convert the windows from electric to crank.

Has anyone out there done this in an effort to save weight?

Yes, I did a search and came up with not much at all.

Thanks

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Hi Mike, I have been thinking about going the other way - you want to exchange the parts??

EPorsche · 12-11-2005, 08:02 AM

Mike
I was thinking the same thing. If you get anymore info please post it.

fhernand · 12-11-2005, 09:05 AM

I'm also interested in this project. I have a 67 that has electric windows and I'm wanting to go crank.

MOMO3.2 · 12-11-2005, 09:08 AM

There is some in depth info on this subject. I was thinking about doing the same thing for my 87. I recall reading that there ere a few different confiurations used across the same models so it is not easy to get a match. Moreover, the wrecking yards charge waaaay to much money for the parts. After reading other threads, I concluded that it just would not be worth it.

Mike

Mysterytrain · 12-11-2005, 09:14 AM

Mike,
before you pull the main harness [ the one that runs behind the dash] I would appreciate some pictures of where the end connectors get mounted to the chassis. I'm one of those that is planning to go the other way.

Kevin Stewart · 12-11-2005, 09:35 AM

in general the crank and gears way more then an electric motor, Kevin

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by fhernand
I'm also interested in this project. I have a 67 that has electric windows and I'm wanting to go crank.

Was your 67 S equipped from the factory with electric windows? I was not aware until now that they were available as early as that.
My 1970 S has factory electrics, which I have been told was the second year available>>???

BTW: I think there is not much if any weight to be saved, unless you go to the "ST type" windows; plexi, with a strap to hold them at various points, no actual winding gears.

Cdnone1 · 12-11-2005, 10:12 AM

I swapped mine from electric to crank. I just pulled the door panels off and started at it. It only took a couple of hours figuring it out as I went along. I changed to RS lightweight door panels while I was doing it. I didn't weigh all the components but there is definately weight sabvings to be had. The crank does not weigh more than the electric motor , switches and wiring. The real weight savings comes down to the removal of the old door panels.
I've got my Sc down to 2387 lbs with a full tank of gas.
I say go for it, just don't leave any lose electrical conection lying around inside the door or dash
steve

Kevin Stewart · 12-11-2005, 10:17 AM

sorry buddy the manual weighs more

Cdnone1 · 12-11-2005, 10:18 AM

here's how it came out

randywebb · 12-11-2005, 10:38 AM

It's amazing that people are making assertions about the wt. savings or increase without posting the wts. and how they were derived (i.e. postal scale good; bath scale bad).

hkspwrsche · 12-11-2005, 10:43 AM

What kind of seats are those in the SC? I cant make out the name on them in the pic

thanks

Cdnone1 · 12-11-2005, 11:09 AM

There Tom Motorsports. I don't think their in business anymore.
Sorry for making assertions on weight without proper documentation. I just looked at the size of the pile of stuff that came out of the car verses the size of the pile of stuff going into the car and guessed that the bigger pile weighed more. Thanks Kevin Buddy for setting me straight! Sorry I'll be more careful before making wild assertions again
Steve

randywebb · 12-11-2005, 11:14 AM

IF you still have the piles, you could weigh them. No one has posted the wts. (that I'm aware). But my comments were not directed at you specifically -- at this point, no one knows whether to believe Kevin, or you, or who...

NY65912 · 12-11-2005, 11:23 AM

Looks like I'll stay with the electrics. If weight savings is not appreciable than I don't see doing all the labor for a few oz's or a lb.

It would be great if someone knows the actual #'s.

Thanks

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

My (all) Lotus Europa(s) had electric windows - it MUST have been a weight saving for C Chapman to use them...

Kevin Stewart · 12-11-2005, 12:32 PM

actualy there is a thread somewhere here about this and it had weights, im sorry but i believe your right it may have been a lb more then the crank, the real savings is in the door panel, but a rs panel is a rs panel, ill see if i can find the thread on the EXACT WEIGHTS, Kevin

HawgRyder · HawgRyder's Garage

If you want to go as light as possible, try the strap method.
A strap with lots of grommeted holes is attached to the bottom of the window and a peg is placed conveniently on the inside of the window frame (top of the window pad).
You raise and lower the window by pulling on the strap to release it from the peg and let it down (or up) and re-peg the hole nearest to the height you want.
All you need are the rails for the glass (or Lexan) to slide in, and the bottom metal rail for the strap to attach to.
Method has been used in lots of older race cars.
Bob

randywebb · 12-11-2005, 03:33 PM

I've posted some of my info on wts. of door components before, including a pie chart to give folks a feel for things. These are from the wt. database I maintain. But I don't think I have electric paraphenalia wts....

I gave Thom an earlier version of the database to put on his web page, Rennlight.com. Someday I'll get the other info into it and give that newer version to him...

But - the doors are not an important place to save wt. What you want to do is measure the distance form the wt. saved area to the roll center or the CG. That will tell the tale.

However, there is a strong cosmetic attraction for RS door panels....