does anyone know of the process of converting the FD to have a sunroof? i have looked in the tread search but cant find anything. i have a huge rust spot in that area so just think i should just convert it since i have to cut that part out any way.

 

just make a targa top

 

Typically, cars made from the factory with sunroofs have a little more structure in the roof to account for the lack of structural material in the center when having a sunroof. This is why you usually lose about 1" or more of headroom with a sunroof car. I don't recommend cutting a hole in the roof to add a sunroof as you won't have any of the extra integrity which should have been designed in. You could find a wrecked shell and cut the roof off and attach to yours, but probably more trouble than it's worth. I would suggest just getting the rust spot taken care of and move on.

 

What Mahjik said. It's not worth the trouble (and massive loss in value) that an aftermarket sunroof would cause.

 

Convertible!!

 

I don't believe there's actually anything different in the unibody. The sunroof sits on a "subframe" that bolts to the roof, and I suspect the bolt holes and such are already on all cars. You'd have to cut the hole, and bolt up the assembly. It would, however, be a PITA to cut it with precision and bend down the "tabs" like the factory roof... it isn't just a hole.

The roof itself where the sunroof is doesn't provide much if any structural rigidity... it's just sheet metal. The non-roof cars have a little welded or bolt in cross piece that doesn't amount to much.

I believe in some cases (certainly the case with other cars if not the FD), sunroofs got added (retrofitted) once they arrived on shore.

 

it would be a crime to cut up a nice hardtop.
why would you want to add weight to the highest point of
a sport car?
if I can find a dry carbon roof for cheap, I would replace my
sunroof in a heartbeat.

 

+1
Sunroofs are nice and all, but if you want one purchase a car that came with one from the factory. I have one on my daily driver and couldn't live without it on my boring daily commute. However when I went shopping for an FD I targeted R1 and R2 models only to find an FD with 1)Without a sunroof and 2)Manual transmission.

 

Ronin Speedworks makes a vac-infused carbon roof panel.

 

That's just for looks, the hole and all the weight is still there.
When you remove the roof liner you'll see what I mean by weight.

 

sunroof = ew

 

Actually, no. The metal roof panel is 6-8 lbs heavier... the CF panel is probably about the same weight as the corresponding piece of roof and cross brace. The rest of the mechanism, i.e.:, the subframe and motor weigh only 13-17 lbs.