Slant *        6        Forum
Home Home Home
The Place to Go for Slant Six Info!
Click here to help support the Slant Six Forum!
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:21 am

All times are UTC-07:00




Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1 2 Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:14 am 
Offline
SL6 Racer & Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2002 12:06 pm
Posts: 8420
Location: Silver Springs, Fl.
Car Model:
Thinking of making some Lexan windows, for my car. Teach me. Are there different types? What thickness for rear window? For side windows? Any things I should Know? Thanks

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 225 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170


Top
   
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:29 am 
Offline
Board Sponsor
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2002 5:02 pm
Posts: 1813
Location: Waterloo, Iowa
Car Model: '23 T-bucket
If this is a street car, I suggest you abandon the idea. While Lexan is doggone tough, it is easily scratched, so wipers would have it damaged in short order. It isn't extremely UV resistant, either. I have a pair of "wind wings" on my T-bucket that have been there for only a year, and they're already starting to cloud a little, and have cleaning scratches, too.
If it's for a race car, then it may just be worth the additional care required. It will give you a weight reduction that might result in a slightly better ET, and I suspect most race cars are stored either inside, or in a trailer, so UV deterioration will be minimal. An added feature is that you can get tints, and colors, if you're so inclined.

Roger


Top
   
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:40 am 
Offline
Turbo EFI

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:23 am
Posts: 1321
Location: N. Ga.
Car Model: 64 Valiant
If you get true Lexan and not just generic plastic sheeting, it is expensive. And its not really much lighter that actual window glass. It's harder to cut and shape than the generic sheet plastic also. If your car is required to have an inspection at race tracks, they typically observe NHRA requirements in these matters, so browse their rulebook for any call out on thickness.

_________________
There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!
Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 1:48 pm 
Offline
Supercharged
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:03 pm
Posts: 8977
Location: IRWIN PA
Car Model:
I bought mine in sheets from summit.

1/8 for sides and back

3/16 for front.

Keep glass for templates. Make templates from cardstock or heavy paper.

Compound curved windows, front and rear windshields cut bigger than template and trial and error fit until its right.


Really curvy glass might require prof. Help from a plastic bending facility.. i.e. mustang fastback, boxy camaro, 64-69 barracudas etc.

Remove possibly 100# in the process.

Get rid of regulators and window mech. Get rid of another 100#.

Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack
Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 1:53 pm 
Offline
Supercharged
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:03 pm
Posts: 8977
Location: IRWIN PA
Car Model:
I disagree with scott... its lighter..

A double pane safety windshield with the clear binder goo in the middle is heavier than 3/16 sheet.

Safety side and rear windows replaced with 1/8 will be lighter.

Add in 10# or more for all reveal mouldings, clips, screws, gaskets etc.

Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack
Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 3:00 pm 
Offline
SL6 Racer & Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2002 12:06 pm
Posts: 8420
Location: Silver Springs, Fl.
Car Model:
My thoughts are: 65 Valiant, front and rear glass already out, no problem to remove side glass. I think I would like to keep real glass in front, for better visibility of the tree at night.
My 64 Valiant all glass is already out. Same on windshield.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 225 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170


Top
   
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:57 pm 
Offline
Turbo EFI

Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:23 am
Posts: 1321
Location: N. Ga.
Car Model: 64 Valiant
NHRA rules state no less than 1/8" thickness. It doesn't say windshield needs to be any thicker, just 1/8" for any.

_________________
There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 7:20 pm 
Offline
Board Sponsor & Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2002 11:08 am
Posts: 16447
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Car Model:
Yes, keep the windshield glass for ease of cleaning/seeing. All the rest can be replaced. You save quite a lot if remove all mechanisms too. Glass is 2.7 g/cc and lexan is about 1-1.2 g/cc (can't recall exactly), plus the lexan will be thinner.

I bought a 4X8 sheet of lexan from a plastics supply place and have done 1 car plus a few other windows and have a fair bit left. I bought a name brand, probably Dow or DuPont but can't recall and am not at home to check.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines


Top
   
PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:26 am 
Offline
Supercharged
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 8:03 pm
Posts: 8977
Location: IRWIN PA
Car Model:
I went 3/16 on windshield because 1/8 in a windshield needs bracing at speed and when towing on an open trailer. 3/16 is good without bracing etc.


Greg

_________________
http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack
Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:40 am 
Offline
Board Sponsor & Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2002 11:08 am
Posts: 16447
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Car Model:
Most road race orgs require 3/16" for windshield.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines


Top
   
PostPosted: Mon May 21, 2018 6:29 am 
Offline
Turbo EFI
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:55 am
Posts: 1387
Location: Brightwood, VA
Car Model: 1965 Plymouth Belvedere I
Hey Charlie,
I used 1/4" Lexan for my windows. I could have used thinner (3/16") and saved more weight, but I wanted something as close to the thickness of my factory glass as possible. I am only doing the side windows as they are flat, making them much easier to replicate. I used one window as the template. I had purchased pieces of Lexan in pre-cut sizes that are close to the size of the individual windows, just to make cutting more manageable. I taped two pieces together and laid a window on then and traced around the factory glass as close as possible. I used a 10 tooth/inch blade in a sabre saw (variable speed). If your blade moves too fast, the Lexan will melt. I cut close to, but outside, the line and then used various electric and manual sanders to get to the final shape. I didn't really need a perfect cut as my car has a frame around each window and that covers about a 1/4 inch of the edges.
I am mounting my rear glass permanently up. I plan to make the front glass move up and down, I just haven't figured out the particulars of that just yet. As far as weight savings go, the cut Lexan window weighs in at 2.55 lbs. (per side), I used small aluminum straps to lock the window in place. The factory glass weighs in at 5.35 lbs. just for the glass alone. The regulator and glass mount comes in at 6 lbs. Total weight savings for each rear window comes in at 8.85 lbs. Based on the window size, I expect about twice that for the door windows. That comes in at around 50 lbs., which is great in race car terms. Using the 3/16" Lexan would save about 3-4 lbs. but I used the 1/4" as it fit the window channel perfectly (factory glass measured .22" thick").
The most difficult part of the entire job was just getting the factory glass and regulators out (without damage). I left all the factory window channels in place and can put things back to factory with minimal effort, but if you trim the window channels down, you could save a little more weight.
-Matt

_________________
-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN
Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2018 8:28 am 
Offline
Turbo EFI
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:55 am
Posts: 1387
Location: Brightwood, VA
Car Model: 1965 Plymouth Belvedere I
Update on the front Lexan windows. The factory window and regulator come in at 15.51 pounds per door. The Lexan piece comes in at 3.92 pounds per door. This is with 1/4 inch thick Lexan, the 3/16 would be approximately 25% lighter. Hope this helps with your questions.
-Matt

_________________
-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN
Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2018 9:19 am 
Offline
SL6 Racer & Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2002 12:06 pm
Posts: 8420
Location: Silver Springs, Fl.
Car Model:
Yes, thank you. Going to be awhile before I get to doing it.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 225 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170


Top
   
PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2018 2:48 pm 
Offline
Board Sponsor & SL6 Racer

Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2002 7:57 pm
Posts: 8283
Location: Waynesboro, Pa.
Car Model: 65 Valiant 2Dr Post
Lowes has real Lexan in stock in all different sizes. At least our Lowes does.

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!
Image
12.70 @ 104.6
Image


Top
   
PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2018 2:58 pm 
Offline
Supercharged

Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 11:50 pm
Posts: 6291
Location: So California
Car Model: 64 Plymouth Valiant
Will the lexan scratch being rolled up and down?

_________________
Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

8)


Top
   
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1 2 Next

All times are UTC-07:00


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited