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Thread: Reducing weight on topside of car

  1. #1
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    Question Reducing weight on topside of car

    Building out a 1990 Miata for STL and want your opinions on spending $$$$ to reduce the topside weight on the car. In particular, windows, hood and trunk? Already working on the motor, need to buy an ECU management system and wondering if I should upgrade the current ITA suspension or spend the money to, in effect, make some adjustment to the CG???
    Thanks Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Purcellville, VA USA
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    Quote Originally Posted by stevestratton View Post
    Building out a 1990 Miata for STL and want your opinions on spending $$$$ to reduce the topside weight on the car. In particular, windows, hood and trunk? Already working on the motor, need to buy an ECU management system and wondering if I should upgrade the current ITA suspension or spend the money to, in effect, make some adjustment to the CG???
    Thanks Steve
    There is a fiberglass top available out there in the world.
    Chris "The Cat Killer" Childs
    Angry Sheep Motorsports
    810 417 7777
    angrysheepmotorsports.com

    IT,SM,SS,Touring, and Super Touring

  3. #3
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    Thanks, I'll start looking there for weight savings.

  4. #4
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    I've seen a few carbon fiber tops floating around out there for about $1000 (used). weigh under 10lbs.

    never looked at the rules for a top, but I know hood and trunklids are legal for composites..
    Houston Region
    STU Nissan 240SX
    EProd RX7

  5. #5
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    Purcellville, VA USA
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    Carbon Roofs are not permitted in super touring.
    Chris "The Cat Killer" Childs
    Angry Sheep Motorsports
    810 417 7777
    angrysheepmotorsports.com

    IT,SM,SS,Touring, and Super Touring

  6. #6
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    Yes, it can't be carbon. I know tha Miata's are using a replica hardtop that's way lighter than the OE as they're a single lay up of fiberglas and kevlar and they don't have all that stuff for a nice inside padding or mounts that the oe top has.

  7. #7

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    You're on the wrong side of the country, but I know 7s Only in Buttonwillow, CA, makes really lightweight fiberglass Miata tops with plexiglass rear windows. I believe they weigh about 10 pounds. Shipping would probably be expensive, but I have heard of people shipping inexpensively via Greyhound.
    EP 1990 Mazda RX-7 (used to be STU until the turbo cars scared me away, and STL rotary cars require too much ballast)
    ITS/T4 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
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    Decatur , GA, USA
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    I got a lightweight fiberglass top with light Lexan rear window from Treasure Coast Miata in Florida. About 15 pounds and cheaper that a stock top. It's fairly well done. If you don't already have a stock top, it's easily the way to go.
    Tom Lyttle
    Decatur, GA
    IT7 Mazda - 2006, 2008 SARRC Champion
    ITS Nissan 200SX - finally running correctly
    FP Ford Capri - waiting for a comp adjustment
    GT3 Dodge Daytona - what was I thinking?

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Prof. Chaos View Post
    ... "7s Only" ...makes...Miata tops
    and around here, "Sal's just Pizza" makes calzones, salads, and cannolis



    Lesson: think ahead before naming your company

    Glenn Lawton
    GSMmotorsports
    #14 ITS RX7
    NARRC ITS Champion 2012
    NERRC ITS Champion 2013 12 11 10 09 08
    NERRC STU Champion 2010

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