Removing windows/screen

[whitechimp500]

If i remove all the glass from my Peugeot 309 gti (interior allready removed for track day use only)in the interests of further weight saving.
1) Will it be acceptable on track days ?
2) will it save considerable weight?
3) will a cage be neccesarry (going to fit one anyway).

[Leadfoot]

If i remove all the glass from my Peugeot 309 gti (interior allready removed for track day use only)in the interests of further weight saving.
1) Will it be acceptable on track days ?
2) will it save considerable weight?
3) will a cage be neccesarry (going to fit one anyway).

1/ Can't see why not
2/ A fair bit
3/ You're gonna fit a cage anyway yo say

But it'll ruin the aerodynamics & probably make the car much slower >80mph???
Be mucho fun if it rains too, NOT!

[GrahamJay]

See if you can fit some thin perspex, just to keep the rain out of yer face!

[nevpugh308]

But it'll ruin the aerodynamics

But would it though ? The air would just rush straight through the car !

So, if you're removing the glass, why not weld the doors shut, fit a roll cage, then completely cut the roof and tops of the doors off, so it's a completely open car !?? (semi said in jest )

I'd be more tempted to leave the front screen, and replace all the rest with perspex TBH ..... (IMO)

[whitechimp500]

Will probably remove all glass-except screen-just to see what its like.
Keep tinking about Nevs idea.
Pug 309GTi Spyder ???...........

[nevpugh308]

You know you want to ...... would certainly ditch a lot of weight !

Okay, how's this for a stage further ! (presume your car is a 2 door, can't remember).

Remove all glass. Cut off the roof and A/B/C/D pillars. Fit a decent front/back roll cage, to reinstate structural strength. Remove the front doors. Weld a bar across the top of the door shut area (where the bottom of the glass used to be). Buy a couple of repair door skins. Weld door skins in hole left by doors (skins being a lot lighter than the complete doors)

Waddayathink ?

[griff2be]

I think you'd end up with something which was potentially structurally iffy, still weighed a lot, and was completely unsellable once you tired of it.

If you are going this extreme why not buy a Caterham or an old Formula Ford/Renault?

[adeewuff]

To be honest the weight of the cage would be more than the glass you are removing, so would it really be worth it? Your car should handle better with the cage fitted since the structure will be stiffer but do not drive it without windows!!

Can you imagine how much internal buffeting and turbulance that would cause? Would certainly slow the car down and being in the drivers seat would not be a pleasant experience. If you want to lighten it fit GRP doors with perspex windows. Should save you a fair few kgs.

[whitechimp500]

Am currently on hols in Cyprus (and still PH-ing ,how sad is that!) where the local vino is cheap, strong and plentifull .
This may be the source of some of my more colourfull ideas.
Keep hallucinating a 309gti
speedster with roll cage , two racing seats,rear panelled in ally sheet?.
Car itself is in v good nick with K+N induction kit and Momo steering wheel.
Strong engine and no rot.
Not too concerned about re-sale as it only cost 300 quid- quite a bargain IMHO.
Going to do a couple of EasyTrack track days in it,at Oulton, next month to help me asses things-should have sobered up by then.

[nevpugh308]

Might do Oulton next month too, though I was fancying the Donnington one more (weather permitting) .... wanna go to Donno Darren ?

[whitechimp500]

Will be restricting myself to Oulton in 02. Aim to do Donnington etc... am sure we will meet up at some point.

Regards, Darren.

[ultimaandy]

Glass is quite a major part of the structural integrity of the car, you will have to have the roll cage to keep it together!

better off welding up the doors adding the cage and cutting all the inner panels out, it'll handle the dogs and so be much quicker because of the cage.