Lopping off the windscreen surround

Skinny Jim · Postby **Skinny Jim** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:26 pm

Howdy folks.

Say I wanted to do the track car windscreen removal thing... apart from cutting it off with a grinder and welding up the holes left behind, is there anything else I need to consider? Am I removing any structural rigidity that I need to put back with some bracing or whatever?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:29 pm

Do you have a full cage?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:36 pm

Nothing there as far as I know.
most of the rigidity is in the main shell, and even so, behind the dashboard is a big thick steel bar that would provide strength.

So yeah, if it's what you want to do, start hacking away.
(obviously if it's an NB remove the airbags before you start cutting as theymay go off)

Skinny Jim · Postby **Skinny Jim** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:37 pm

Just a tall boy roll bar at this stage

Skinny Jim · Postby **Skinny Jim** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:38 pm

Its a na6

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:49 pm

Skinny Jim wrote:Its a na6

easy then, kick out the window and grab the grinder.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:54 pm

I would not cut the windscreen off without having a full cage. Is it still road registered?

Skinny Jim · Postby **Skinny Jim** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:02 pm

Currently unregistered. I was thinking about putting it on club reg but vicroads have just announced changes to the club reg scheme which means I'd have to do a full road worthy to get it back on the road... Hence I'm thinking of turning it in to a track toy as it would mostly only ever get dríven to and from the track even if it was regoed. It'd be cheaper just to buy a tow bar as I have a tow vehicle and trailer already.

Skinny Jim · Postby **Skinny Jim** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:09 pm

Wasn't there a company doing a bolt in cage? In Sydney?

It won't be entered in any competitive events so I'm not fussed about meeting any regs, other than safety regs. Just track days, for fun.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:24 pm

This hurts and if anybody at work found out I said it, but, THINK SAFETY!

mx5002 · Postby **mx5002** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:40 am

The windscreen and surround in an na6 would have little to no benefit in a rollover except getting in the way!
Lop it off I say...
Check out blackbird fabrications in the states. They have a face space page too. They have a few cool windscreen less mx5's with rollbar ideas that may help

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 11:09 am

There are a number of screen free NA6 track cars floating around.

If you want to go that way :

Remove front screen and fill in holes. Remove windscreen wiper, motor etc.
Remove side windows, wiring, switches, etc as they now serve no purpose (more weight saving).

Fit a small aero screen as you will be buffeted like crazy without it.
Ensure the dash top is well bolted down, as there was a nasty incident at Bathurst a few years ago when the dash cover tore off and wrapped around the driver.

As a minimum fit a diagonal from centre-top of rear bar to front floor in case you go under a fence or something so it pushes wire up over you. A full cage would be preferable.

Fanta's (NA6 Production Sports) windscreen free race weight was 820 kg in Production Sports spec with no carpet, roof, etc and only race seat.
She was rigid to drive and was very agile with the low weight (1.09 at Wakefield Park with 1600 supersprint spec, and 1.05 in full Prod Sports spec with Brian Anderson). It is a different driving experience out in the elements, feels more like a real race car.

My next NA6 with roof and windscreen was more user friendly in Canberra/Goulburn weather !!!!!