carbon hatch fitment? (searched)

[240guyNY]

Hey, the hatch in my new 240 is all rusted up from the spoiler. So i figure if im going to have to get another hatch, and paint it it almost might be worth it to get a carbon fiber hatch. My question is, is it an exact OEM fit? Can i use my regular rear glass rather than lexan? and can i put on a spoiler and the wiper?ThanksSean

[onosqv]

I think fitment depends on the company you go w/. Most things aren't exact OEM fit, but can get pretty close depending on how much you are willing to spend.

I know BomexS13 on this forum has a cf hatch from Chargespeed - fit pretty well. Search for his thread - I remember him showing a few pics of it and a lil review.

The glass, I'm guessing you'd need lexan, I don't think the hatch would like supporting all that weight from the glass.

Spoilver, wiper, why not - you just have to drill holes & never look back.

[Chezedik]

I don't know why you wouldn't go lexan, and get a coating. I assume you are worried about scratching. I imagine it fits well, but there should be slots in it to allow for adjustment. Or at least in the hinges. For almost a G, it better.

[DriftingJesus]

I don't know about carbon hatches most aftermarket carbon is real ****ty and weak.........don't know how it would hold up in a crash

[Nismochick240]

what does lexan glass look like? whats the difference b/t it and regular glass? where can you get it? more info please. i also had this question

[xekushnr]

lexan is sort of like plexiglass, except stronger IIRC. as far as i know, you should be able to use the OEM glass, but it could vary between manufacturers.

[Nismochick240]

where can you get it at. I hope it's not expensive!

[xekushnr]

im not sure, but it probably is expensive. i dont think its street legal to use as a window on a car either, but i may be wrong (the law could also vary from state to state). you cant buy them as a drop-in OEM replacement because they arent application specific, you would need to get one made and formed to your car.

[Nismochick240]

i didnt know that carbon hatches were that difficult. i'll have to call some sponsors and see if they make one w/ direct fitment for the oem glass

[240guyNY]

ya, i dont know much about lexan but i do know that i want a defroster, i dont want it to get all scratched up, and it looks pretty ugly. i'd just have my rear glass transferred over, im not looking to spend a fortune just get ride of the holey hatch.

sean

[Dark-Hawk]

i didnt know that carbon hatches were that difficult. i'll have to call some sponsors and see if they make one w/ direct fitment for the oem glass

Eh like anything it just takes a little adjusting to get to fit properly. Anything aftermarket is usualy not going to fit as easily as OEM.I personally haven't heard of someone using the OEM glass for one ... hell I haven't even ever seen a person have one, but I'd not recommend the glass. CF is used for weight saving, and a good deal of that weight comes from the glass! Lexan I *do* believe is street legal (if not, there is not really any way to tell it's not normal glass), it scratches easily though but like someone else said, you could have it coated with a protectant/sealant I'd imagine. I know a company was making them for a decent price about a year and a half to two years ago, but they didn't come with rolled edges... You'd want rolled edges lol.

Expect to spend about $650 on a quality CF hatch. Depending on if I have the stuff for vacum bagging come spring I could possibly begin developing one if I'm well enough at working with CF by then.

[95lstegman]

i'll tell you from experience that in most cases, a CF hatch will save you <5lbs. a lexan rear window, however, will save you probably triple that, and it's cheaper. BTW, somebody mentioned drilling holes in a CF hatch. DON'T. you'll have problems starting right away and getting worse over time from having bare carbon exposed. if it were me, i'd get a coated lexan rear window and have it tinted to match my car again and if i had oodles of money maybe get a CF trunk and have it painted to match the car. wouldn't want any thieves relishing the look . . . but hey, it's my dream to spend $1500 on my hatch so what the heck i'll leave the CF just like it comes.

[marshun]

you can use the stock glass.

[Juujai]

weight reduction won't be marginal you're better off with just fixing the trunk and saving up for a paint job.

if you want weight reduction you could go with a lighter battery, bucket seats, lighter wheels and tires for starters without affecting any luxuries at all.

if you really want the cf look though by any means go ahead.

[marshun]

how much of a weight difference are we talking here? my 240 is a track car and is completely stripped.

cause when i picked up both a hatch and a cf hatch without the glass..it felt like there was a big difference.

[95lstegman]

i know for most Honduh's it's about 5lbs difference. even if it's double that, surely the cost outweighs the benefit (no pun intended). $600 can get you a lot of lighter equipment, like a nice fiberglass-shelled bucket seat.

[driftking777]

like marshun said...stock glass can be used in carbon hatches. But i hear something about having to buy the new glass rear to make it work...something about the taking the glass out of the oem hatch has something to do with it.

[95lstegman]

if you have it done by a QUALITY auto window shop you won't need new glass or anything, but be prepared to spend a pretty penny to have the glass swapped. a good shop won't screw it up and it will seal pretty much forever.

[240DRFT]

so where do u get lexan windows? how much are they?

[marshun]

so where do u get lexan windows? how much are they?

you can either grab your phone book or search online http://www.google.com



be prepared to spend some bucks though.

[amolao]

Check this guys cardomain page, kudos and credits to him, I just happen to see it yesterday, he is using OEM glass and his hatch fits beautifully......lots of pics...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/633231/3