Carbon Roof Advice
I'm Finding My Feet Here Now
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: bournemouth
Cheers guys. It's going to continue as work in progress as and when I get 'into' it. I've no plans of getting rid, just evolving!
My roof is the replacement version which has a foam type core for strength unlike the skin which is meant only as a cover and so does feel a bit flimsy but totally perfect if you want to just cover your existing roof. My roof, like most, had some rot so we cut it off as per the pics in my thread and carbon delights instructions. My car already had a half cage which I'm happy with. The strength of the a,b,c pillars is all still there I have just cut the 'fat' out (crust lol) and replaced it with a stronger material, carbon.
It's a great mod which once you've bought the roof, iirc about Ł550 lacquered including the a pillar covers, there's no other costs involved. For me it was fit and forget, no more rust bubbles behind the sunroof! It depends what you want your car to be but for my use it transformed the look plus made a significant weight saving.
Phil's attention to detail on these is brilliant and I think it's good value for the work that goes into making them.
My roof is the replacement version which has a foam type core for strength unlike the skin which is meant only as a cover and so does feel a bit flimsy but totally perfect if you want to just cover your existing roof. My roof, like most, had some rot so we cut it off as per the pics in my thread and carbon delights instructions. My car already had a half cage which I'm happy with. The strength of the a,b,c pillars is all still there I have just cut the 'fat' out (crust lol) and replaced it with a stronger material, carbon.
It's a great mod which once you've bought the roof, iirc about Ł550 lacquered including the a pillar covers, there's no other costs involved. For me it was fit and forget, no more rust bubbles behind the sunroof! It depends what you want your car to be but for my use it transformed the look plus made a significant weight saving.
Phil's attention to detail on these is brilliant and I think it's good value for the work that goes into making them.
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 76
From: Wiltshire
I'm at the stage where my car is ready to get its paint job.
I'm not fitting the roof until the car has been painted, for obvious reasons.
The messurements are all done for the roof to be cut, Altough i dont have the a pillar trims from CD yet, they weren't ready to go when my roof was. Once i have them i'll shall do any adjustments needed before cutting and bonding all 3 carbon items onto the car.
So im left with a car looking like this:
You can see tiny bits of rust flakes around the sunroof tray. I'm looking forward to gettin rid of the final bit of rust now.
I'm not fitting the roof until the car has been painted, for obvious reasons.
The messurements are all done for the roof to be cut, Altough i dont have the a pillar trims from CD yet, they weren't ready to go when my roof was. Once i have them i'll shall do any adjustments needed before cutting and bonding all 3 carbon items onto the car.
So im left with a car looking like this:
You can see tiny bits of rust flakes around the sunroof tray. I'm looking forward to gettin rid of the final bit of rust now.
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 76
From: Wiltshire
Its up to my friend, it'll be in his hands soon. I can cut it myself and i probably would have done if i had the a pillar trims to do the final checks. Phil has said he'll get them out by the end of the week, which has now gone.
as long as he doesn't fit the roof before painting it i'll be happy, as you can see i've left instructions for him where to cut and not to paint(Phils guide mentioned sanding the paint down before fitting the roof) I'm happy for the a pillars to be painted as i just dont know when i'll get the a pillar trims.
as long as he doesn't fit the roof before painting it i'll be happy, as you can see i've left instructions for him where to cut and not to paint(Phils guide mentioned sanding the paint down before fitting the roof) I'm happy for the a pillars to be painted as i just dont know when i'll get the a pillar trims.
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
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From: Wiltshire
No i cant wait to get the final bits fitted. I did text him tuesday, he did say he'll try to get them out. I do know he is busy so i dont mind, just a pain waiting to get the car painted and roof on.
As soon as its back the project should see itself come to an end. Then i need to fit some new parts to my engine(pumps, belt, pick up pipe, gaskets, tensioner and new oil)
I just dont want to fit the roof without having the a pillar trim incase i find out its been misjudged and the windscreen seal dont seal round the CF parts correctly.
As soon as its back the project should see itself come to an end. Then i need to fit some new parts to my engine(pumps, belt, pick up pipe, gaskets, tensioner and new oil)
I just dont want to fit the roof without having the a pillar trim incase i find out its been misjudged and the windscreen seal dont seal round the CF parts correctly.
Thread Starter
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 839
Likes: 2
From: Dorset
Just to clear this up(hope this doesn't cause any problems, when I spoke to Phil about this his email reply was:
To cover us we say fit a full roll cage, but that is your decision, this is at your own risk (if you know what I mean!) the fact the main roof structure is left you shouldn't have an issue....
Now to me, id say fit one
To cover us we say fit a full roll cage, but that is your decision, this is at your own risk (if you know what I mean!) the fact the main roof structure is left you shouldn't have an issue....
Now to me, id say fit one
He recommends one, the roof structure is there all bar the skin, personally I'm not fitting a cage due to putting my interior back in. I've welded in a rear brace and a bolt on front strut brace which should help with keeping the car rigid. If it all goes bandy you know it's safer to put a cage in lol.
Alex.
Alex.
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
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From: Wiltshire
Not really sure why you're in stitches though????
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 76
From: Wiltshire
Just searched back through thread until mid 2008, plenty of people haven't fit rollcages either. Seems to be a high number of people without the cage fitted but full standard interior, as i shall be doing. Anyway as i stated above if i feel its not safe then i'd look into one.
.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 7
From: Hampshire
He recommends one, the roof structure is there all bar the skin, personally I'm not fitting a cage due to putting my interior back in. I've welded in a rear brace and a bolt on front strut brace which should help with keeping the car rigid. If it all goes bandy you know it's safer to put a cage in lol.
Alex.
Alex.
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
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From: Wiltshire
Ok fair enough, I must of misheard him. I really don't want a big stupid cage in it mind. Dan how much did yours cost? Yours look small enough not to look out of place and looks like interior is all in?
Lol obviously not i mean for keeping the car rigid. If it goes on its roof it's hasn't got much to support it in the middle although its not like the pillars will be any weaker without a skin in the middle.
Alex.
Alex.
Thread Starter
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Dorset
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Wiltshire
Thanks for the link, I just text Phil, he did say for peace of mind and to cover their backs. End of the day rather buy a cage than lose my life if it did roll. Just don't want to chop my interior up fitting a cage all over the place. Half cage is deffo on the book summertime.
Wouldn't of bought it if it HAD to have a rollcage, Phil said it didn't need one back in November when i spoke to him so put the order in. Anyway isn't it near impossible to get insurance with a rollcage. Worst scenario is i can retro fit one if it doesn't feel safe when i drive it.
Not really sure why you're in stitches though????
Not really sure why you're in stitches though????
I'm finding it highly amusing purely because how people value there lives mark !you not are not only removing structural strength but also that roof will shatter if rolled and off no protection what so ever So please fit a cage mate seeing as roof is for vanity reason I think you would look a lot better with your head on your shoulders IF a nasty accident happens
Edited to add mark a simple no intrusive 6 point will be ample mate it's not as if you doing any competition work in the car is it?
Last edited by Jay,; Jan 14, 2013 at 06:52 AM.
You really are missing the point the whole roof panel with the front middle and rear struts and the roof panel as on make a strong structural part for safety and to help limit body twist to remove the middle strut and cut a big square out is removing structural parts out of the car
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
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From: Wiltshire
Thanks gottcha Jay, no the car won't be tracked(at most maybe a parade lap at Combe) so not going to be given full stick. I've already got a daily driver so this would be a simple casual summer car.... I'm too old for hard driving, and the car would be restored. Still a small cage would be ok, even though i didnt really want one in there. However Phil did recommend one as people above.
I do like the safety devices ones and Dans.
Link to where his came from if anyone needs one in the future
http://www.rollcentre.com/rollcages
I do like the safety devices ones and Dans.
Link to where his came from if anyone needs one in the future
http://www.rollcentre.com/rollcages
Last edited by RSmark84; Jan 14, 2013 at 02:59 PM.
BANNED
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: North Wales
Why not go for a carbon skin to fit over the existing roof? im sure phil did one for twins, all you would need to do is weld a blank on the top of the roof and smooth, then the same on the inside and fit a non sunroof headlining. Plus I would expect the roo to cost about Ł250 - Ł300 tops as there would be no core just fabric?
If weight saving wasnt the purpose and hiding thew sunroof was then I think this is the best option.
Jay tell them what you explained to me when you lifted the car up one side before and after you cut the roof
Interesting thread this
If weight saving wasnt the purpose and hiding thew sunroof was then I think this is the best option.
Jay tell them what you explained to me when you lifted the car up one side before and after you cut the roof
Interesting thread this
Regular Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 332
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well to be fair all the strength in the roof is in the 6inch box section that u keep !!! i have one of phils roofs fitted with a full cage the cage did not affect the insurance with adrian flux and it drives better than ever with the cage and roof on lets face it therees no strength in a rusty old sunroof ne way !! and the actuall strength is carbon fibre weave is prob stronger than the standard roof in some ways !as long as its bonded on 100% properly i dont see any issues
and a standard gearbox will help u
and a standard gearbox will help u
Last edited by zvh; Jan 16, 2013 at 07:14 PM.
well to be fair all the strength in the roof is in the 6inch box section that u keep !!! i have one of phils roofs fitted with a full cage the cage did not affect the insurance with adrian flux and it drives better than ever with the cage and roof on lets face it therees no strength in a rusty old sunroof ne way !! and the actuall strength is carbon fibre weave is prob stronger than the standard roof in some ways !as long as its bonded on 100% properly i dont see any issues
and a standard gearbox will help u
and a standard gearbox will help u
Phils roof is very nice BUT it is just cometic there isnt any reinforcment in the material the way its layed up ! Had many a car on our jig testing fior shell movement and in a modern shell and renove a square out of the roof you add another 18% twist
Regular Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
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so whats the foam centre core iff theres no reinforcement ??? and why is carbon have better anti scuth properties than metal !! hence why its used in motocyle knee pads and motocycle helmets ?i have a full cage in my car so not an issue , but as i said the strenght is in the box section which u keep whos making assumptions ive fitted one !!!
Regular Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
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when we cut mine ther was no sunroof tray left u cut the copmplete sunroof and tray out ??? and no i wouldnt fit without a full cage .. infact tbh i wouldnt drive a ford escort on the road without a cage lol with or without a carbon roof
Last edited by zvh; Jan 18, 2013 at 09:37 PM.
so whats the foam centre core iff theres no reinforcement ??? and why is carbon have better anti scuth properties than metal !! hence why its used in motocyle knee pads and motocycle helmets ?i have a full cage in my car so not an issue , but as i said the strenght is in the box section which u keep whos making assumptions ive fitted one !!!
Regular Contributor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 293
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From: Scotland
This post kinda fks ma plans right up....as a deffo do not want a cage in car...for the skin type a was worried if not all rust removed it will rot from underNeath so had planned full cut out type..bolloxs
Advanced PassionFord User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,398
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From: Wiltshire
no where to weld, the roof is too thin for bars. thats if you want trim inside.
End of the day its your life. I'm only getting one to protect myself if something does happen... rather spend money than hurt myself or die. If i could get away without a cage i would.
End of the day its your life. I'm only getting one to protect myself if something does happen... rather spend money than hurt myself or die. If i could get away without a cage i would.
...but still going to have a sunroof so the worry will always be there......thinking cut rot out and fill sunroof hole the get the skin type .....decisions decisions