Carbon fiber roof panel to replace sunroof?

[Bauser]

As the title suggested, I was wondering if anyone has heard of this? I have been seeing it on the new M cars and the Lexus IS-F and thought it would be a cool idea for the stinger as well. Seems like you could lose quite a few pounds off the roof and for a lot of people cure the squeaks, rattles and general issues with the sun roofs.

 

[Kamauxx]

I don't know man...Ripping the car a part and replacing OEM panels/glass sounds like a horrible remedy for squeaks.

 

[Bauser]

You might be surprised, Strictly Business Motorsports has already done the complete rear hatch. That is a pretty crazy mod in itself!

 

[Callum]

If it allows for the roof to open I’d be in. I have not driven with the shade open yet. It’s either full close, or full open.

 

[oddball]

The hatch is bolted onto the car. It is hinged, you know. Replacing that is just a few minutes. Sure, the mold is probably more complicated than a roof mold, but that's a one time horror.
The roof is integral to the unibody. Replacing one, especially switching from metal to carbon fiber, is a serious proposition. High end customization shops would be able to do it, but that's about all.
The OEMs that offer it have it built into their production line and incorporated into the design of the structure so either a metal roof or a CF roof can be bonded to the body.

 

[Revvdmedia]

I think we're only talking about replacing the glass with carbon fiber? From what I found, the glass only appears to be attached with 6 torx bolts to the track. While getting the glass/panel level can be a bit of a pain, it doesn't look like a difficult swap.

I suspect the mating surfaces that the rubber seals in the Stinger touch are the reason for the creaks and squeaks, at least those that can be temporarily cured with lubrication. I think the material choice was poor hence the noise. If the plastics on the top of the doors that meet the seal had a felt like finish, I bet they would be quiet. I think the same situation exists for the sunroof as it feels like a similar surface/texture as the door plastic trim where it meets the sunroof rubber.

 

[Callum]

The hatch is bolted onto the car. It is hinged, you know. Replacing that is just a few minutes. Sure, the mold is probably more complicated than a roof mold, but that's a one time horror.
The roof is integral to the unibody. Replacing one, especially switching from metal to carbon fiber, is a serious proposition. High end customization shops would be able to do it, but that's about all.
The OEMs that offer it have it built into their production line and incorporated into the design of the structure so either a metal roof or a CF roof can be bonded to the body.

Yeah...I was talking about replacing the glass panel with a CF piece. The glass is non-structural.

 

[Manaz]

Yeah...I was talking about replacing the glass panel with a CF piece. The glass is non-structural.

The roof skin itself is also non-structural in general.

 

[Bauser]

My thoughts were to take the entire sunroof frame out and install a 1 piece non moveable carbon fibre panel in its place. I wouldnt dare touch the back roof panel as it should be either welded into place or have an industrial adhesive holding it in. Just swapping the glass out wouldnt make much of a weight savings and the squeaks and creaks would probabaly still remain.

 

[Aether]

Just out of curiosity, has does anyone know of a carbon fiber replacement to just the metal part behind the sunroof itself? I am interested in replacing just that with carbon fiber.