Looks like I may have an opportunity to pick up a CF rear hatch.
My question is about using Lexan instead of glass though. I know people have done it - but has anyone ever done it in their track car?
The rear window in our cars is pretty large, so I'm concerned about what might potentially happen at 130 mph with driver/passenger windows open!!!!!
Any thoughts??????

 

Prolly need to run a strap down the center.

 

I was thinking maybe 2 straps.
Wondering how thick the Lexan needs to be also.

 

1/8" to 3/16" is fine and run two 1" by 3/16" aluminum strap on the outside. It also helps to put two 1.5" holes in the Lexan near the top to help vent any pressure.

Running with the windows open actually creates a low pressure area inside the cabin until you get sideways at speed. Then the cabin pressure instantly transitions to high and sometimes the rear windows or front windshield blows out.

 

^ great info - much appreciated

 

it will crack blow out if not straped and vented from my understanding.

 

John
Did you use curved (formed) Lexan or a flat sheet?
Thanks

 

Flat sheet is fine for the rear window of a 350Z.

 

can i get pics of the straps being used?

 

Nice information guys, just ready to ask the same question

 

any idea on what the weight savings would be on this? or how much it costs?

 

They sell them here for $200 http://www.lsauto.com/
May be possible to have one made for less????

Regarding weight savings, I'm not sure, but I expect it would be significant.

 

Is this something you can do on an everyday driver? I like the idea of wieght savings. Dose anyone have pic's of their car with a lexan window in the rear hatch?

 

They scratch easily, even the supposed scratch resistant Lexan. It can also be difficult to get a leakproof install. IMHO, I would not install Lexan windows on a street car.

 

I got the kit from lsauto.com and it saved ~7 lbs. I ran it last weekend for the first NASA race here in TX without any straps and it was fine, but I might add the straps just for piece of mind. I did use some washers when I installed it though to add a little more clamping area. Stock hatch glass is only around 14lbs.

 

Finally got my Seibon hatch and lexan window installed. Definitely not suitable for a daily driver IMHO. Unfortunately, I did not weigh it, but it certainly feels light.
My first track day of the year is coming up later this month (Sharif's GT-R day at VIR), so hopefully it will hold up OK.

 

Nice. Is that on a stock hatch? Oops, just read the post instead of looking at pics. lol

 

Why shouldn't this be used on a daily driver?

 

It's been discussed here, but to repeat: Lexan scratches easily and DD will do a number on it in a short time. It's also difficult to get a good water seal on a sheet of Lexan, so any rain will easily leak into the car.

As someone who's had Lexan in a variety of Nissan racecars, I'd also add you'll need special cleaners to clean the surface and it holds condensation (fogs) easily. For a racecar it's fine, but no way would I want it on my street car.

 

Lexan windows are not legal here (same with not running rear defrost) on the street. Unless you are already sub 3000lbs theres probably a lot easier ways to drop weight with less headache (we are talking ~7lbs here).