Polycarbonate windows

[Karl]

Anyone have experience with polycarbonate windows for a daily driver?

The material is 40% lighter than fiberglass and it appears to be a better overall option when it come to wear, scratch resistance, etc.

I am determined to try and drop 300lbs on my car this winter and this looks to be a good part.

http://www.fivestarbodies.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=447

http://www.fivestarbodies.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=448

[LGAFF]

I don't think you would want to deal with the lack of rigidity of the polycarbonate, they typically will flex a lot and most likely wont seal as well as glass

[Pete]

Karl your my hero :)

Pete



Anyone have experience with polycarbonate windows for a daily driver?

The material is 40% lighter than fiberglass and it appears to be a better overall option when it come to wear, scratch resistance, etc.

I am determined to try and drop 300lbs on my car this winter and this looks to be a good part.

http://www.fivestarbodies.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=447

http://www.fivestarbodies.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=448

[Karl]

I don't think you would want to deal with the lack of rigidity of the polycarbonate, they typically will flex a lot and most likely wont seal as well as glass

The 1/4" material seems the way to go. I am going to do at least the rear window to start.

https://youtu.be/yAto6_edmKc

Lots of good info on YouTube about this material.

[Karl]

Karl your my hero :)

Pete

Thanks Pete!

Will share what ever I can find about the 4th gen Z with everyone!

[aafc]

Karl,
When you install the rear window you should also install reduced air drag clips at the front corner on each side. These were on the sledge hammer Corvette, it prevents air from pulling the rear (glass) Polycarbonate window
from lifting at the corners. They were sold by a corvette parts company a long time ago, but no longer available. Here are ones i made installed on my ZR-1.

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=463&pictureid=4060

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=463&pictureid=4059

Good luck with your install.

John
1990 white/black #2546
one of a few 4l8OE eq ZR-1's

[spork2367]

Anyone have experience with polycarbonate windows for a daily driver?

The material is 40% lighter than fiberglass and it appears to be a better overall option when it come to wear, scratch resistance, etc.

I am determined to try and drop 300lbs on my car this winter and this looks to be a good part.

http://www.fivestarbodies.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=447

http://www.fivestarbodies.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=448

In no way DOT legal. If you care about that kind of thing.

[RussMcB]

How much does the stock rear glass weigh?

[Karl]

In no way DOT legal. If you care about that kind of thing.

I certainly do! Will be doing the rear window only for now and if I can find a vendor the side windows also.

Going to protect the windows with a light ceramic window tint.

[Karl]

How much does the stock rear glass weigh?

I am not sure. Guessing 30 to 40 lbs.

[-=Jeff=-]

I am not sure. Guessing 30 to 40 lbs.

I am thinking maybe a bit more.. that is a big piece of glass

[LGAFF]

Corvette Forum has a weight sticky in the General C4 Topics section one person noted it as 30lbs

[RussMcB]

I am determined to try and drop 300lbs on my car this winter and this looks to be a good part. 300 - 20 = only 280 more to go! :-)

[Vette Guy]

The poly glass does not hold up as you may believe. It does scratch easy, does not remain crystal clear, and must be fastened and used with reinforcement braces, else it will flex and break. I run glass on the front and poly rear. They do make side windows, but really only for security - I have a set. You'd never want to run them at speed, rather best installed to deter thieves from easily getting into your car.

300lbs? Consider CF hood, CF doors (if you can find them), CF roof, removal of headlight assemblies, A/C, heater core, condenser, inner fenders, radio, speakers, racing battery, inner door panels and carpet. Nothing heavier than factory A-Molds (20.5/22lbs). No coil-overs and lose the rocker panels. Don't forget to balance the car when you are done!

Hope this helps!

[Karl]

Why don't you use the door window's?

Losing the first 100 lbs will be relatively easy.

Losing an additional 200 to 300 lbs will be difficult.

If I can drop 150 to 200 lbs I will be happy without changing body panels and losing the a/c,

I figure a ceramic window tint that reflects +90% of UV rays will help protect the windows.

[Vette Guy]

Why don't you use the door window's?

Race car. Use them only to keep folks out.

[spork2367]

The poly glass does not hold up as you may believe. It does scratch easy, does not remain crystal clear, and must be fastened and used with reinforcement braces, else it will flex and break. I run glass on the front and poly rear. They do make side windows, but really only for security - I have a set. You'd never want to run them at speed, rather best installed to deter thieves from easily getting into your car.

I worked at a shop that resold and machined LOTS of engineering grade plastics.

Polycarbonate is very soft and does scratch easily. If it has mar resistant coating (like MR10) it has a very thin very hard coating, like headlights. It is still very easy to put a deep gouge right through the coating.

Polycarbonate (trade name Lexan) will not "break". Acrylic (trade name plexiglass) will. Acrylic is much harder and scratch resistance and has shorter chain polymers and will crack and break. Polycarbonate with its long chain polymers will take repeated bends in the same direction over a very long period of time before it will break.

[Locobob]

I've been playing with motorcycle aluminum fairing bolt kits... you can save about 1lb by doing all the front wheel well fasteners... yeah I know its kinda silly but it all adds up.

[Pete]

Bob, i got to a point where i have done all i could to minus weight now 1lb sounds like 100:dancing

The rear Polycarbonnate 1/4" thick glass sounds pretty durable heck it's 1/4" thick how bad can it be?

I'm scared to try light battery don't wanna get stranded.:( unless somebody has tried light battery any input would be great.

Pete



I've been playing with motorcycle aluminum fairing bolt kits... you can save about 1lb by doing all the front wheel well fasteners... yeah I know its kinda silly but it all adds up.

[Karl]

How much does the stock battery weight?

I use the Odyssey PC925L and it weighs 23.8lbs.

It is noticeably smaller and a AGM battery. Car starts right up.

[Pete]

Karl i use stock replacement battery.
I think about 30lbs

Just looked up Odyssey batteries i like PC950 only 20lbs

https://www.odysseybatteries.com/pc950.htm

Pete




How much does the stock battery weight?

I use the Odyssey PC925L and it weighs ~26lbs.

It is noticeable smaller and a AGM battery. Car starts right up.

[lfalzarano]

Remember the LT5 required 690 CCA according to GM. So choose wisely or carry jumper cables[emoji16]


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[Karl]

Remember the LT5 required 690 CCA according to GM. So choose wisely or carry jumper cables[emoji16]


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You are getting the PHCA when you start the car. An AGM battery is way more efficient and powerful than a conventional liquid battery and has the ability to deep cycle.

Google AGM vs Lead Acid battery for more information.

It is pretty cold outside and my car is in the garage sitting for over 3 weeks. Car cranks strong, much stronger than the a/c delco that was in there before and fired right up.

Besides that daily driving the car before it got too cold outside (no heat in my Z) I never had a problem with charging or starting the car.

The battery Pete show's is stronger than mine and weights less by 4lbs. I should have gotten the PC950....argh!!!!

[lfalzarano]

You are getting the PHCA when you start the car. An AGM battery is way more efficient and powerful than a conventional liquid battery and has the ability to deep cycle.



Google AGM vs Lead Acid battery for more information.



It is pretty cold outside and my car is in the garage sitting for over 3 weeks. Car cranks strong, much stronger than the a/c delco that was in there before and fired right up.



Besides that daily driving the car before it got too cold outside (no heat in my Z) I never had a problem with charging or starting the car.



The battery Pete show's is stronger than mine and weights less by 4lbs. I should have gotten the PC950....argh!!!!



Yes the replacement battery at your local GM dealer parts department is a 650 CCA. After going through 2 of them in less than 5 years, I researched the LT5 690 CCA requirement.

The battery that will look stock and fit the battery box is the AC Delco 75VPG Battery. O’Reilly has them for $132. Weight is 33.7lbs.


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[Locobob]

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=432&pictureid=4061

About to try this 8lb lithium ion battery... specs are very similar to the 925

[RussMcB]

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=432&pictureid=4061

About to try this 8lb lithium ion battery... specs are very similar to the 925Ouch!!! $559.99

[lfalzarano]

You can join the Tesla burn your car crowd...


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[Karl]

Ouch!!! $559.99

It is $509.99 on eBay w/free shipping....and yes...ouch!

[spork2367]

http://www.zr1.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=432&pictureid=4061

About to try this 8lb lithium ion battery... specs are very similar to the 925

How about this one? 5.8 lbs

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Go on a bread and water diet.

Likely reduce by 50- 75 pounds, and if you don't die, completely reversible after racing.

The cars are pudgy; not much you can do about it, without consequence, at least significant improvement anyway.
Add more go.
:cheers:
Marty