Lexan window kit

[Dyno4mance]

Does anyone have any info or experience with changing the glass for Lexan/Polycarbonate on an e30?
Is it legal to run on the road if needed?
Does anyone have or produce a kit?.......if not, what thickness would I need to order in sheet form to cut my own...also what would be the best method to neatly cut this material.
Pics of a completed conversion would be helpful if you have them
Thanks in advance

[deutschman]

some info i found... do not know if it will help

http://www.eharwood.com/catalog/catalog.php?make=BLANK&submit=Search&group=Lexan+Windows&category=LEXAN

i think you can contact these guys and have them mold you windows to fit your car.
and it looks like these guys sell kits that fit.
thank you google!

http://www.plastics4performance.com/page.asp?id=about

[Skafrog]

lexan smears, fogs, shakes, and generally sucks ass for the street. You need to run reinforcing bars, and cut holes in the rear window so you dont blow it out at the track. That being said, MA Shaw makes what is considered the best IMHO. It's pricey though.
If you want to make side glass, you will want to remove the pillar trim and wrap it around the B pillar so you cut down on drag.

[erik325i]

I have a few pictures of my side windows in my build thread. It should give you a good idea how I did mine.

[SA E30]

You don't have to cut holes in the back. It's a myth that it will blow out. Many people here run the rear and quarter panel lexan like the stock glass, aka with the seals and trim.

[GotCone?]

mashaw sells pre-made lexan for E30's.

I'm doing lexan rear 1/4's and then eventually sides on a coupe. But we're not following the stock window size or attachment method. Something more along the lines as this but more simplified.

http://projecte30.blogspot.com/2008/02/lexan-windows-installed.html

DIY ftw. I may try the rear window too.

[SA E30]

We are going to do it the Erik did his quarter panel windows. I prefer the flushed look and it also gives an slight increase in aerodynamic efficiency (although probably nothing noticeable)

[bmnut2002]

You don't have to cut holes in the back. It's a myth that it will blow out. Many people here run the rear and quarter panel lexan like the stock glass, aka with the seals and trim.

I'll second that. I run straps because the rivet holes were there and the straps were there when I bough the race car with standard glass. Only the stock window seal is needed if the lexan is cut properly. There is a pro3 that has been running for years with lexan, the stock seal and no straps.

[bmnut2002]

TC Motorsports sells a lexan kit for the rear and quarters. You can find them online if you do a search. It's race fitment, but is actually a pretty nice setup for the price. I enjoyed doing my own, but it can be time consuming.

[Dyno4mance]

TC Motorsports sells a lexan kit for the rear and quarters. You can find them online if you do a search. It's race fitment, but is actually a pretty nice setup for the price. I enjoyed doing my own, but it can be time consuming.

I could not find the kit that TC Motorsports do.....do you have a link to the kit?
After more research there are a few companies in the UK that do kits and there are a few rallyist maintaining that support and holes are not needed for lexan windows....So it must be a thing that was carried over from Dirt Track, Nascar and adopted as "needed" by the road racing community here in the states

[bmnut2002]

If it's not listed in their catalog, call them and I'm sure they'll give you pricing.

[Skafrog]

I'll second that. I run straps because the rivet holes were there and the straps were there when I bough the race car with standard glass. Only the stock window seal is needed if the lexan is cut properly. There are a couple pro3's that have been running for years with lexan, the stock seal and no straps.

I actually deleted my earlier post, but let me ask a question since this is how internet fiction becomes fact.
What was the thickness of your lexan windows?

[bmnut2002]

I had a weird thing going on with a 318is a few years ago. It was a track rat that saw a ton of laps. I had on two seperate occasions, occurences where rear windows shattered while sitting. It could have been that they both were vandalized, but they happened in seperate locations and I hadn't upset anyone in any way. They both happened in secure outdoor locations, nothing was stolen, and the only thing that was consistent was temperature swings and the abuse I put on the poor car. They both happened miles apart, but within 3 months of one another.

Anyways, upon driving the car with no rear window, I was shocked how little air flowed into the car through the rear window opening. Other than being louder, the rear window could have been intact, that's how little air came in. These cars are bricks in the airstream. Even with the windows open, not much turbulence develops in the cabin.

I have raced around my friends pro3 on track for 4 years without window straps and that thing hasn't gone anywhere. Obviously he had it cut to specific size well, and uses all of the stock locking strips, but I trust it and apparently ICSCC Tech trusts it as well(that part seems a little odd to me). I've raced glued to his bumper at 130mph without it even crossing my mind.

The lexan most of us use is 1/8 inch, I believe. It's been two years since I installed them, but I know for sure it's not 1/4 inch. I'm not sure exactly what the thicknesses offered are - is it 5/16ths,1/4inch or 3/16ths?! Do you get what I'm saying? ;-) I think the size is 1/8th though.

By the way, I'm not trying to create or add to internet fact! I thought it would be helpful to add my personal experiences to the discussion.

I'll add what others have added as well though. For the street, your car might not be as water tight, will not be as quiet and the lexan will scratch and swirl if you don't clean them with microfiber towels and proper cleaner.

Good Luck!

Kevin

[silence]

e30 Polycarbonate Door Window Kit

We have a new product out, poly windows:

Keep the rain and dust out of your race car when towing, at the track or just sitting outside of the shop.
These are designed for an e30 with no glass. These flat windows slide into the OEM window channels and are held in place using 4 included pins.

- Manufactured from high quality Lexan UV protected polycarbonate
- Approximately 50% weight saving compared to glass
- Windows are CNC profile cut ready to fit
- Includes 4 pins to keep them in place.


http://www.condorspeedshop.com/colle...ndows-1-8-pair

[Gleb]

^^^
Will you make a four door kit, but for the front doors only?