Roof Choice on M3

[D_Eclipse9916]

I am choosing to do a sunroof delete on the M3 as the weight is in the worst possible place. Ill either be doing a bare CF plug, or just a skinning a stock metal sunroof and putting it up. Either way, im worried about leaks and I want it to look good. So I was kind of looking around and the idea of a vinyl roof appeals to me in two ways. Hides any sealant I use to seal and weatherproof the roof and makes it look like no sunroof was ever there, and helps with the waterproofing.

After looking around, I pretty much came up with two options. Either a solid black vinyl roof, or like the ///M race car have that on the roof as you can see below. I also provided an option 3 if you guys have any better idea for vinyl on the car.

What the car looks like now (the black and the ///M would kind of fit with the theme with the wing). And also a picture of rthe roof of the E92 M3 race car.

[Goodspeed]

Andy Warhol Art Car M1



Edit: just noticed you'd be so hipster elite with part of this on your car

[Sully]

Do one like the M/// but instead of M///, do a MM one with a Madison Motorsports under it like the stickers. And put it on angled like ricers do with their back window stickers. :thumbup:

[fiveoh2go]

Do one like the M/// but instead of M///, do a MM one with a Madison Motorsports under it like the stickers. And put it on angled like ricers do with their back window stickers. :thumbup:

Less is more, plain black for me.

[.RJ]

IMHO - reskin the roof with a factory/OE non sunroof roof skin, or dont bother at all. Yeah, its a lot of work, but its the only way to do it right.

There are probably more productive (i.e. lap time benefit) uses for your time/$$ though.

[D_Eclipse9916]

RJ, im already at minimum weight, so moving weight is key. Im also at max points. This isnt neccesarily the best time/$$ for lap times, but its a project on the list which is actually quite short on this car. This winter, the only things im doing are all the rear bushings/ball joints/reinforcers for the rear suspension, a larger front splitter, brake ducting (already have plates and ducting so easy install), and making a downturn for my exhaust.

I know what yuo mean though and ive debated this back and forth fo rthe past 4 months, but decided ill not be "racing" (as in real racing wheel/to/wheel), so TT and HPDE king is going to be around for a while. And I cant get knocked outta class....

[.RJ]

If you're already at the weight minimum, you will find a better $$ benefit in shocks and additional suspension tuning and test days than moving 40-50 lbs around. Its still a tin top production car on street or DOT tires.

Can you instruct at other HPDE's/Track days (i.e. mazda drivers, etc)? Thats a great way to get test time in with the car.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yeah, im saving up for ASTs (and if I grab first at any TT, I get a $500 gift certificate to them so im waiting for that) and ill probably give in and be running either A6s or R6s depending on points for TT, and 265/40/17 dunlop star specs when not. Im taking the instructor school at VIR February.

Sunday was my first TT experience and I got in a good 2 sessions. On my old dunlops that ill be replacing this winter, I managed a 1:25.044. Scott Blair (current TTC regular winner) posted a personal best of a 1:24.02 on Hoosiers. If I could gain a second with moving around a bit of weight and throwing on a set of hoosiers (and get some damn experience, I suck at road racing), I think I could maybe grab 1st once, just enough to get that AST contingency.

I do need a good set of shocks and springs tho, im on who knows how old Bilsteins and off the shelf H+R springs. I do see how much grip freaking Peter Tyson's car develops in autocross and I look forward to those ASTs.


Rj, how much experience do you need at instructing to instruct other track days? Or do they typically just take it if you have an instructor's license with NASA?

[.RJ]

I do need a good set of shocks and springs tho, im on who knows how old Bilsteins and off the shelf H+R springs. I do see how much grip freaking Peter Tyson's car develops in autocross and I look forward to those ASTs.

There's your answer then. Get the suspension sorted, this will take at least a few test days to get things dialed in and get you comfortable with it. The roof should be pretty low on your list. Suspension and tires will always be worth more time than moving weight around or a few HP - the latter wont help you get around T3, T9 or T10 any faster, and thats where you can make time at Summit.

Rj, how much experience do you need at instructing to instruct other track days? Or do they typically just take it if you have an instructor's license with NASA?

I did the NASA instructor clinics, and I felt pretty comfortable approaching other clubs after that. I know I used to bitch about NASA a lot, but their instructor clinics were always really good. If you can instruct with other 'hpde only' clubs, that will give you plenty of track time in a more laid back environment to get your suspension sorted. This will take a while, and what works really well on track may not work so well in an autox.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Hmm well I was kinda hoping just to save the $500 by waititng to get the suspension. Maybe ill just wait on everything, throw on a set of hoosiers and see if I can grab first to at least get the contingency.

And yes once I get that license ill be going to other clubs a lot.

As far as the setup for autox and track, its a track-only setup, ill autocross it but not care. Thats why I have a co-drive setup for next year in a competitively built STi. (hopefully itll be ready in time).

[TorinoCobra070]

Giant honda "H"

[Jake]

Screaming Chicken ala 80s Trans Am