Swapping to MR Aluminum Roof
Tsurara: Since your putting on a new roof skin, you owe it to yourself to put a roof vent on while you're at it. Nothing makes an Evo look more bad@ss than a roof vent. And as a plus, since you have a sunroof, the drain hose is already routed for you! 
Originally Posted by nubby
Tsurara: Since your putting on a new roof skin, you owe it to yourself to put a roof vent on while you're at it. Nothing makes an Evo look more bad@ss than a roof vent. And as a plus, since you have a sunroof, the drain hose is already routed for you!
That would be a pretty cool idea, I never even thought of that.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: LA County
This is something that I want to do too but I think that 1900 is too much. I'd do it if it were a 1000.00. But a couple things, remember that Motor Trend article guys? About the 3 Evos in three different flavor or something? I recall specifically that the GS and the RS pulled the same lateral G figure(.95 I believe and the MR was at .94 due to the softer Bilsteins). But they also said that the alumininum roof was effectively like having an GSR's center of gravity lower by like 3mm(about 2 inches if you were to just lower the roof by chopping the top instead and not lowering the car). Comments?
Originally Posted by spoolingEVOx
if you want to lose the weight so bad, go on a diet..
i don't think this is a good idea.
i don't think this is a good idea.
2) I weigh 135lbs. Losing 43lbs would kill me.
^^^ I don't know what I am doing with suspension yet. You should PM robi himself though to find out more details
3 very respected drivers have done it and have highly praised it. I am sure a big part of it is who you HAVE do it, though. I know as far as the paint, since I have a white evo, the white roof will match. So thats one part down. If all else fails I am considering the CF panel.
Originally Posted by hotrod2448
I know this si atotally different car and your not interested in opinions but, I had to have the roof replaced on my GF's Accord and the car was never the same. More squeaks and rattles, back glass leaking, paint never matches perfectly, and so on.
If your making it a racecar why not pull out the roof liner, sunroof glass, tracks, and motor and replace it with a carbon filler panel. I saw a thread awhile ago and some autocross junkie was going to do this. Even though it's still steel having a 2' by 3' hole in the roof filled with carbon has got to be close to the same weight savings as an alumn. roof. Having the roof liner and tracks out should give you enough room for a cage.
If your making it a racecar why not pull out the roof liner, sunroof glass, tracks, and motor and replace it with a carbon filler panel. I saw a thread awhile ago and some autocross junkie was going to do this. Even though it's still steel having a 2' by 3' hole in the roof filled with carbon has got to be close to the same weight savings as an alumn. roof. Having the roof liner and tracks out should give you enough room for a cage.
Originally Posted by abcdef
Hey Tsurara, are you looking into getting suspension work done by Robi also? If so what and how much is that?
The only thing I'd be wary of with an aluminum roof is that aluminum cannot be bent without permanently affecting its strength. I had a garage door fall on my roof and dent it slightly. Since it was steel it could be repaired with no effect on strength. If I had an aluminum roof, the whole roof would have to be repaired. For a street car, I'd probably go with the steel, though I do understand the coolness of getting the aluminum. IT's a tough choice.
Ok, there was a thread a while ago about what was different during the install process between the regular roof and aluminum roof. The thread contained a link to a PDF that talked about the engineering difficulties attaching aluminum to steel. I'm sure the thread is mega merged into a larger thread by now. Basically the aluminum roof can't be welded to steel frame and you can't use a regular rivet as it would make a hole and allow water to seep in, causing all sorts of issues. They used a semi/non penetrating rivet to attach both materials. If you can find a shop that does this ... it should be possible to do, if not don't bother ... lets just say I don't think you will find that type of machinary in most shops .... I don't think gluing is also a "safe" option ...
Originally Posted by abcdef
But they also said that the alumininum roof was effectively like having an GSR's center of gravity lower by like 3mm(about 2 inches if you were to just lower the roof by chopping the top instead and not lowering the car). Comments?
Just looked at the article. It's the same as lowering the roof 2 inches, not the whole car.
Last edited by CDO; Jul 6, 2005 at 04:13 PM.
