Has anybody performed/ checked into a slicktop conversion?

[JB3]

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[derbo]

To answer the why not?:
It's a point of failure - moisture, filler cracking, leaks.
For some it is not "done right". I don't think it would follow the roof line perfectly enough to function as a truly invisible patch panel.
I've always thought of this as a simple body repair, until I read the part I linked in the OP.
I'm not sure that the mounting for the delete plate is shallow enough to allow the slicktop headliner to fit normally. That mounting lip is not there on a slicktop roof skin (but there is an extra brace soooo... who knows)
Skinning a roof is relatively inexpensive IMO.


I've searched and have not seen one. Personally I would be interested in this so if you can link me I'd like to check it out.



True! Personally I don't like the idea of RTV-or-similar sealing the roof of my car, for the reasons above. It has been my experience that things that are sealed need to be re-sealed every so often, can't imagine putting up with that for my car.

I figured you researched it extensively and I figured that's why you didn't want to do that route. It definitely doesn't seem to be a 50hr job but then again this was years ago. Hopefully you can find a cf roof. Sealing it with bonding glue seems easier than welding spot points a metal skin.


Sent from iPad Mini

[BADCLOWN]

I'll dig the link up later, I believe cakm3 sent it to me actually

[derbo]

I'll dig the link up later, I believe cakm3 sent it to me actually

The company is called Challenge. I'm not sure they made a sedan version but they do have 1x1 weave.

[cakM3]

There is a company in Spain that made carbon fiber roof panels for E46 sedans but that was many years ago...


Edit: Karbonius sells Carbon fiber roof panels for sedans. This panel is a sunroof delete panel. It's an overlay...



Here's the link: http://www.karbonius.es/web_ing/productos/autos/base_bmw.html

[terraphantm]

If you could find 10 people or so who are willing to put down a deposit, Challenge would probably be willing to make a sedan roof. I hope to buy their coupe roof at some point

[cakM3]

If you could find 10 people or so who are willing to put down a deposit, Challenge would probably be willing to make a sedan roof. I hope to buy their coupe roof at some point

The quality of the Challenge carbon fiber roof panel is superb Mirza It is art

[sillieidiot]

Technically I've done this, though not a DIY. Since you have a sedan, you don't have to worry about the middle brace because it's already there. With the cassette gone, you can definitely put the non-sunroof headliner in as that was what was taking up all the space. It didn't take them that long because they were gluing my CF roof in. When you replace it with another steel skin, now you have to go back and weld everything back on and grind it down flush. The only really costly part (well other than the headliner) is that the windshields have a high chance of breaking when removed. So be prepared for new ones if it does in fact break. Luckily mines were fine.

there's enough room between the headliner and the roof. in fact, even my non-sunroof headliner has like a 1" space or so from the roof. And I have the one that gives even more headroom vs. the standard one (basically I have the headliner that goes around the brace). The opening on the sunroof only goes down like 1/2" or so I believe. I don't remember exactly, but I do have the roof skin lying around somewhere in my backyard lol

honestly, if you were just going to keep it steel. i would just weld the opening. then just replace the headliner to get more roof. that would be the cheapest as well as the fastest option IMO.

[JB3]

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[Hermes]

I almost did it... but then I just bought another ZHP without a sunroof