I have heard a magazine or two comment on how the Evo comes without a sunroof for increased body stiffness. Originally I didn't want a sunroof because I wouldn't use it enough to justify the 750 bucks it cost.

Anyways, I have been offered a good deal (I think) of 29,700 for a Evo with sunroof. Will having the sunroof make the body noticeably less stiff? How many cross bars are cut when the sunroofs are installed?

 

I think an aftermarket sunroof may have a chance at reducing body stiffness, but I've never had a problem with a factory one. If anything, they may reinforce other parts of the roof to make up for less reinforcement there.

I can't say for sure, since I don't have an Evo, but I'd guess you'll never notice the difference even if you could drive one with and without back and forth.
-N

 

I don't believe that the problem is entirely about body stiffness, but also about whether or not you want an additional 30-someodd pounds at the highest point of the car for transitional handling purposes.
That's why I went without one. Either autocrossing or track events, the weight up high does make a difference.

 

it doesn't decrease body stiffness enough to notice, since there is no cross member or "stiffners" there.
althought the extra weight up top maybe noticable on transitional handling like slaloms... BUT a normal driver will not notice. Difference probably isn't enough to go one way or the other. So I would say, go with personal preference.

 

Put ~75 pounds of weight in your trunk(as far towards the back of the car) and drive around. See if you notice the difference.

That's about the same thing as having a sunroof, just in a different direction. Extra weight at the worst possible place.

It does have a detrimental effect on handling. It kills me when people say you'll never notice, but then the same people claim to feel a 5hp difference from an intake or drop-in filter.

The best (approximate) horsepower/weight calculation is 10 pounds == a horsepower. So if the sunroof weighs 60 pounds (typical) than you are looking at 6 "lost" horsepower, in addition to the small bump in handling and structural rigidity.

But that's not to say you shouldn't get one if you want one. The best Evo driver I know got one, because he wanted one. Simple enough...

I'm just more trying to weigh in on the technical issue. My race car is a 1995 M3 without a sunroof (which was pretty hard to find, as there are very few manual transmission no-sunroof post-10/95 build 1995 M3s still in existance).

 

The sunroof is one of the cooler things I really enjoy, Along with they HID's!!!!!!!

As far as noticing a difference ,,,, LOLOLOL,,,, the only difference you will notice is the fact that anyone who thinks they are a race car driver will swear up and down/ betting on their life that having a sunroof will effect the car so much that you might as well paint it pink and put daisy wheels on it!!!!!!

Get the roof if you happen onto an evo you cant pass up. And leave the race track hype to anyone who thinks they are Michael Schumacher.

You wont notice a thing.

 

I actually dont need a sunroof. I NEVER use the sunroof in my 00 Civic SI.

I just didn't know how much the sunroof assembly/components weigh, and if the difference would be felt in normal driving or possibly 8/10th spiriterd driving?

I could wait until a Evo without a sunroof shows up and "hope" to get my 29,700 quote, but around here they all have sunroofs.....

 

In my previous autocross cars as much as I don't think it made any difference I used to remove the roof for races. Most of the weight was in the panel I removed.

Ironically I was even protested a few times by people in identical cars without sunroofs saying I was removing weight unfairly from the car. They thought WITH a sunroof and removing it I had an advantage!

I guess it depends on on what you're racing and what the sanctioning body rules are. On a track after the cage and safety stuff I doubt you'd notice, especially if you pull out the roof for races (assuming it's legal). In a drag it's probably meaningless enough that you'd be able to make it up by removing other items. In an autocross it is above the center of gravity but again if you're in that close a contest time-wise and it's legal, pull it out for the races.

In any case learning how to drive will get you way more time than not having the sunroof.

Personally I'd never own a car without one, especially a black car.

 

I get a kick out of some people who talk all hardcore then you see another post that says...


Dude! I got a sunroof and a kickin system!

 

Or people who list window tint as a mod...

 

The main question is what are you buying the car for? For driving on the street, I don't believe the sunroof will make any difference. I believe the sunroof does add a little under 40 pounds to the car so there is increased weight.

For a everyday driver, get the sunroof if you want it and don't worry if it will make a difference. chances are you would not be able to tell any difference and it's nice to have on sunny days.

If you plan on road racing the car, I would not go with the sunroof.

 

yeah....i dont belive you would notice a difference.....the EVO supsension is good enough...so a sunroof wouldt effect it that much...unless you are goin to race for sport.

 

It does add weight, but driving it on the street, you wouldn't notice a difference. Ecspecially if you've never drove a Evo without one. Every car I've owned hasn't had a sunroof so I'm getting one with one in it. It will be a daily commuter and a everyday car. Get what you want and get what you intend to do with the car. If you can get a good deal go for it.

 

Was that a slam??????????