Polycarbonate side windows

[tvrmallorca]

Here is a discussion I am sure will raise lots of views. I want to change my side windows in the 3000m to polycarbonate windows. Make them fixed with an opening in them. Is this road legal and will pass an MOT?

[prideaux]

tvrmallorca said:

Here is a discussion I am sure will raise lots of views. I want to change my side windows in the 3000m to polycarbonate windows. Make them fixed with an opening in them. Is this road legal and will pass an MOT?

I dont see why not many a rally car has the same set up and they have MOTs i believe to drive between stages
A

[griff 200]

if it helps.

[alolympic]

100% legal. I have polycarbonate side windows and rear window on my car.
Any reason you want fixed with slider? Only reason I ask is that you can actually go with a winding window if you get lexan margard windows, which are very resistant to scratches. Only mention it just in case you thought it wasn't an option.

[Fiscracer]

Perfectly legal.

However use Lexan which is what race cars used, rather than polycarbonate. If the worst happens the polycarbonate breaks into sharp shards.

[Slow M]

Fiscracer said:

Perfectly legal.

However use Lexan which is what race cars used, rather than polycarbonate. If the worst happens the polycarbonate breaks into sharp shards.

Have a look at the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
http://www.coloradoplastics.com/blog-0/bid/42625/P...

Best,
B.

[prideaux]

Slow M said:

Fiscracer said:

Perfectly legal.

However use Lexan which is what race cars used, rather than polycarbonate. If the worst happens the polycarbonate breaks into sharp shards.

Have a look at the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
http://www.coloradoplastics.com/blog-0/bid/42625/P...

Best,
B.

Wow scary
A

[jesfirth]

I have polycarbonate side windows in my sprint griff. The drivers side still goes up and down and uses the original mechanism. The only problem with this is that window glass is normally curved slightly, not sure about an M, so the poly does not fit perfectly against the seals. You can however bend it into shape with threaded aluminium rods bolted through it and tightened.

[tvrmallorca]

thanks that very useful..... what thickness is advisable 4mm? I intend having fixed windows with slide openings.....I know it will be hot but on rallies your not allowed to open the windows for obvious reasons.

[jesfirth]

I went for 4mm simply because the original glass was 4mm so on the moveable window it would sit in the existing tracks properly. It is a good compromise between weight and rigiditity. I think 3mm would be too thin.

[campionissimo]

Thread resurrection, just to clear up a couple of points.

Lexan is polycarbonate, and will not shatter / break etc. Acrylic will do that, not polycarbonate. You can bend Lexan almost in half, jump on it, and it still won't break.

Side and rear windows in Lexan are perfectly road legal. Front screens are not. Also, bronze and grey tinted Lexan Exell D is ok in the rear quarters, but not in the driver/passenger windows for road use.

4mm is usual for side and rear polycarbonate windows, and is MSA compliant. Lexan Exell D is what you should get as a minimum. Lexan Margard has a scratch resistant hard coat, and will tolerate wiper blades.

If you use Margard, then yes you could use the winders. However, if you have side windows with sliders, you can remove all the winder mechs and electrics from the doors thus saving weight.

[Dollyman1850]

campionissimo said:

Thread resurrection, just to clear up a couple of points.

Lexan is polycarbonate, and will not shatter / break etc. Acrylic will do that, not polycarbonate. You can bend Lexan almost in half, jump on it, and it still won't break.

Side and rear windows in Lexan are perfectly road legal. Front screens are not. Also, bronze and grey tinted Lexan Exell D is ok in the rear quarters, but not in the driver/passenger windows for road use.

4mm is usual for side and rear polycarbonate windows, and is MSA compliant. Lexan Exell D is what you should get as a minimum. Lexan Margard has a scratch resistant hard coat, and will tolerate wiper blades.

If you use Margard, then yes you could use the winders. However, if you have side windows with sliders, you can remove all the winder mechs and electrics from the doors thus saving weight.

Yes. Lexan is a trade name I believe for polycarb.
Acrylic plastic was known as Perspex and it is Perspex that needs to be avoided like the plague.
N.

[Slow M]

Another way, to save weight, is to remove the crank and scissor lifts, and to attach the bottom of the polycarb window to a strap with holes, that latches to a pin, or hook, on the interior side of the door.

Best,
B.

[tvrmallorca]

I am going to do away with everything inside the door except for a piece of string linked to the lock mechanism and the windows are going to be fixed into place........Now for the Triple carbs!!

[ATE399J]

tvrmallorca said:

I am going to do away with everything inside the door except for a piece of string linked to the lock mechanism and the windows are going to be fixed into place........Now for the Triple carbs!!

Will that be nylon string, classical "hemp/cotton based" or high-tech kevlar to save weight? Do we fully understand the scrutineering view of string, how will it affect the FIA papers for the car? If you use period-correct string will it need compliance documentation?
Have you considered the fire-retardant requirements, have you carried out an approved FMEA (Failure Modes Effects Analysis) on your proposed design?

After all, we're talking STRING here, anyone got a good theory?

[alphaone]

ATE399J said:

Will that be nylon string, classical "hemp/cotton based" or high-tech kevlar to save weight? Do we fully understand the scrutineering view of string, how will it affect the FIA papers for the car? If you use period-correct string will it need compliance documentation?
Have you considered the fire-retardant requirements, have you carried out an approved FMEA (Failure Modes Effects Analysis) on your proposed design?

After all, we're talking STRING here, anyone got a good theory?

PMSL

[Dollyman1850]

alphaone said:

PMSL

I find a jolly good dump prior to getting in the car has a massive effect on all up weight
N

[ATE399J]

Dollyman1850 said:

I find a jolly good dump prior to getting in the car has a massive effect on all up weight
N

Thanks for sharing.

[Dollyman1850]

ATE399J said:

Thanks for sharing.

In fairness string isn't needed. I find just nipping the frames allows the polycarb to be a nice tight fit. a small block screwed to the top of the window allows you to lift and lower as required.
N.

[Slow M]

ATE399J said:

Will that be nylon string, classical "hemp/cotton based" or high-tech kevlar to save weight? Do we fully understand the scrutineering view of string, how will it affect the FIA papers for the car? If you use period-correct string will it need compliance documentation?
Have you considered the fire-retardant requirements, have you carried out an approved FMEA (Failure Modes Effects Analysis) on your proposed design?

After all, we're talking STRING here, anyone got a good theory?

Very dangerous. In case of fire, the fumes emitted by any of the current formulations of hemp, when accidentally inhaled, could be even more disorienting than those of burning plastics.

Best,
B.