Sunroof open at 120 mph?

[plymouthcolt]

The manual says not to operate the sunroof above 61 mph. I assumed operate meant don't have it open above 61 mph.

Then I thought as long as it's open and I don't try to close (operate) it, can I exceed 61 mph with it open?

[Red Clubbie]

I'd assume operate means "movement"...if it's open, don't close it and if it's closed, don't open it at those speeds.

Cheers,

Geoff.

[sc_rufctr]

If I was planning on driving at 120 miles per hour I would close my sunroof...
For safe operation at those speeds your P car needs to be the best aerodynamically it can be...

Why risk it? There is no benefit in air circulation or anything else from the sunroof at that speed.

[the]

Originally Posted by plymouthcolt

Then I thought as long as it's open and I don't try to close (operate) it, can I exceed 61 mph with it open?

I think as long as you have your seatbelt on so you don't get sucked out through the roof, you'll be ok.

[ZAMIRZ]

I'm always driving and operating it at 85 to 90 on the freeway...been ok for 24 years now.

[Jagshund]

Having the sunroof open in my e36 at ~125 recently caused some heinous thumping in the cabin. It's probably for the same reasons.

[Ken911]

you think 120 is bad with it open try 150 with the windows open. even with a helmet on it was really loud

[RoninLB]

The roof liner starts to violently rock around at over 100 mph w/roof open.

btdt roof open at 120 mph

[R_Builder]

I have done several track days in my SC with the windows down and the sunroof open to clear my helmet (what a pain) without issue. Nothing like flying down the back straight at Willow doing 115 mph with the sunroof open! It might be loud, but I have other things on my mind... like turn 9.

[Turboo934]

Do it for any length of time temps of motor will run hot. Disrupts the air flow to the motor.

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by Turboo934

Do it for any length of time temps of motor will run hot. Disrupts the air flow to the motor.

maybe most so

I ran for 30 mi heading north of Austin Nev on sr305 between 100-120 and no noticeable difference. Just the initial 10F oil temp jump from 70 average to another 10F rise at 90 and another 10F rise at 110-120. It was a fairly linear curve of 10F for every 20 mph increase. I started at 180F at a steady 70mph. Ambient temps was about 70-75F. I only have a fender oil cooler.

CHTs went from 275F av at 70, to 290-300 at 100, to 320ish at 120. It would have kept climbing but I had enough. The more hp the higher the CHTs. My engine is probably 200hp. Those are good CHTs and my probes & meter are accurate.

EGTs actually went down at higher speeds. This cracked me up big time. I was so concerned about having the right carb E-tubes for these runs. For the record they dropped about 25F. That's noticeable.

.....only my experience

ps: doing what I do and accelerating around a track to speed is another story