I just wanted to remind peeps that lexan = possible dripping of water (common prob), and byebye to rear defrost, which I think is a MUST for any street-driven vehicle. The FAL glass is $350ish, right? It's only 10 - 13 lbs heavier than the stock glass. Most of the weight saving is in the hatch itself - the stocker weighing in at 55lbs w/o glass, vs/ about 13 lbs for the CF one, w/o glass. So that's a HUGE saving in weight. The glass won't make THAT much of a difference, plus it'll be an expensive annoyance (scratched, leaking etc), esp. if you find the hatch to be so light that it rattles. Just my $0.02.

 

you can buy defroster kits for the new rear window if you'd like. It won't look look stock though and I don't know if the heat from the wires may damage the lexan...

 

hahah :-)

 

>>lexan = possible dripping of water (common prob),

the lexan leaking is not an issue for me, simply put a bead of black RTV sealant where it mates with the hatch. I do leak in the holes i made for the hoodpins, but that is another issue :-)


>>The FAL glass is $350ish, right? It's only 10 - 13 lbs heavier than the stock glass.Most of the weight saving is in the hatch itself - the stocker weighing in at 55lbs w/o glass, vs/ about 13 lbs for the CF one, w/o glass.

read my first post in this thread, i have the weights listed, at 12lbs for the lexan it is a big saveings in weight over the glass, the galss is very heavy, so i would disagree your comment on 'Most of the weight saving is in the hatch itself '. Id say its closer to 50/50.

but i do agree that lexan is not a good idea on a street car, actually, id dont think the cf hatch is a good idea on a street car either :-)

 

i dont drive my 7s here in the silly minnesota winters, but in the many years I have driven FDs I have maybe used the rear defroster ....once...maybe twice?

 

Hmm...I guess I was wrong. I was goin by #s that glassman had mentioned in another thread.

Oh and I feel you re: CF on a street car. I don't meen street car...just streetable. Aka not a dedicated track car. That's what mine's quickly becoming.

 

hey maybe im wrong, did he post the stock glass weight alone?

ohh an yeah, im with you, i ment a streetable car, not just a 'street' car. :-)

 

If you are some of you are worried about srcatching the lexan glass try this. http://www.carshield.com/ I was planning on getting this when I get my car repainted. You should be able to get it for the glass.

Im with Damian on the defrost. I have never used the defrost on my car's. You should not worry about even putting it on you car if you got the lexan.

 

This is what I saw on the thread (https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/carbon-fiber-rear-hatch-rx7-store-301850/page3/):

He was incorrect about the VIS hatch being 8 lbs though. He got mixed up w/ the Pettit hatch I think, which is indeed 8 lbs, since it has none of the underside plastic for use w/ the stock dampers. it's removable, aka for track only.

Oh and I dunno about you guys never using defrost...I dunno where you guys live. But here, I've def used it at times, esp. when it's raining and a bit of water gets inside, since I like to drive w/ the windows open a bit, if not all the way.

 

Damian:
Do you have any pictures of the installation finished, with out the protective film on the lexan?

 

i'm not sure if the question was asked, but how's the visibility on the lexan rear window compared to the factory glass?? from the pics you posted, they look awfully foggy.. that's the only reason i would not use it for the street; not defroster issues.

thanks

 

^ I think there is still a protective film on the Lexan which is why it's foggy. Looks wicked though.

 

I also use the defroster all the time... currently I fixed some broken lines with a repair kit but there are three lines that still heat up much slower than the rest and it's extremely annoying!

If I ever get a track only FD, I'd put that CF hatch on it, I think it's great

 

battyboy is right, it still has the shipping protective film on it in those pics, its very clear, no visibility issues.

look at this pic, you can see its very clear:

 

yup, look above :-)

 

^^^Looks really good from that picture.... Did you install the hatch clips like you said.... If yes... Then please post some close up pics.... Thanks

*Edit. Are you also planning on installing a Carbon Fiber hatch to that trunk on the trailer?

 

>>Did you install the hatch clips like you said....

do you mean hood pins? what are hatch clips?


>>*Edit. Are you also planning on installing a Carbon Fiber hatch to that trunk on the trailer?

no, but i am planning on giving the trailer a wing :-) LOL hahahah

 

Hood pins, hatch clips, or hatch pins, whatever.... Same thing. :P


>>*Edit. Are you also planning on installing a Carbon Fiber hatch to that trunk on the trailer?

no, but i am planning on giving the trailer a wing :-) LOL hahahah[/QUOTE]

lol..... hahahaa. Make sure it's a CF wing..... :P

 

To answer a previous question, Lexan coatings are applied at the "factory", are expensive, and you have to be careful what you clean them with. Go to an eyeglass store and ask there.

Your car looks very good damian - I'd say you do too, but maybe I shouldn't. Oh, smile once in a while.

I don't know, I understand the reasons, but it's just wrong to see a trailer hitch on an RX-7.

 

lol..... hahahaa. Make sure it's a CF wing..... :P[/QUOTE]


:-) ill try to get soem close up pics of my hatch hood pins later this week.

 

>>Your car looks very good damian - I'd say you do too, but maybe I shouldn't. Oh, smile once in a while.

hahah, thanks :-)

>>I don't know, I understand the reasons, but it's just wrong to see a trailer hitch on an RX-7.

i agree, its funky, but i gots-to-do what i gots-to-do to make it happen at the track!!!

by the way, i usualy get some good laughs at the track from the high rollers who have big enclosed multi-level haulers pulling their many track cars.....but I usually get the last laugh after I spank their *** silly on the track...all with a car that has a trailer hitch on it :-)

 

Pics of hoodpins and hatch:

close up of hoodpin used on my hatch:



entire hatch:

 

Those pics look sweet, you should throw them into your sig, the ones that are there don't do the car justice! Your car is Awesome looking, all business, and still clean!

X...

 

if theres even a need to for the purpose..although im interested as well...
how the struts and interior pieces are attached...

 

neither are on my hatch since its a track car, so i cant help ya there.