Lightyear fastback owners thread!

[Junkwhale]

Have been meaning to start a thread to share info/mods/support/fitment fixes etc for those lucky enough to have been in on the first Lightyear fastback group buy.

Here's my one:


There's a few things I need to address (and have been busy with other stuff since it arrived to do much more than a test fitment- car hasn't even been dríven for over a month!):

- Windows are peeling/aren't staying down in the corners due to the window bend required by the side-window shape. Anyone know what adhesive has been used, and the best way to remove it clean it up?

- I have to replace my windows with scratch/mar resistant polycarb to meet motorsport regulations here in NZ, so will also be looking for a better/new adhesive. Anyone have any options? I've found ACW Motorsports in the UK sells a fitting kit with Dinitrol 501 FC-HM adhesive which looks like an option.

- The front edge of mine doesn't quite mate properly with the top of the windscreen. Will prob just get the panelbeater I get to paint it to sort this if I can. I've seen some descriptions of using bog to fix this though which might be useful, anyone actually done it / documented it?

- Hinges. I plan on replacing mine with internal hinges for a couple of reasons. The external ones while functional mean you can't really lock the trunk as the hinges are just held on by two tiny pins; anyone can could come along and pull it off. The external hinges also look a bit out of place IMO, the rest of the fastback looks so damn good they stand out a bit much. I've seen someone mention they used e36/46 trunk/boot hinges to replace the hinges on their fastback (not sure if it was a Lightyear one or one of the US CCP/Autokonnexion ones). Has anyone else had a go at replacing the hinges?

[obzelite]

i have the same top of windscreen issue, same windows popping issue as well, im just going pull mine and heat a curve into them.

what is your fitment of the b pillow to the top of the car, i have a finger size gap that goes back to the end of the side window, the side brackets are on correctly, this is both sides.


roof where you can see its about 5mm too short at the windscreen seal, those holes should be covered by front edge.

[Corey]

Yeah mine falls short quite a bit from the front edge, I'm probably going to fibreglass filler it and then reinforce it with a bit of fibreglass too. Other than that I think mine fits pretty well, I didn't actually bolt it on, just sat it there. All the windows are installed with double sided tape so I'm going to look to put countersunk black bolts through and sikaflex the windows in so it disappears and will definitely be solid and water tight, I might even try to find thin window moulding to run around the outside too. Another thing I'm going to look at doing is making a fibreglass divider between the door window and the fastback window and a similar style support running vertically on the inside of the rear window so it's not as wobbly.

[Junkwhale]

what is your fitment of the b pillow to the top of the car, i have a finger size gap that goes back to the end of the side window, the side brackets are on correctly, this is both sides.
[img]pic[/img]

I don't think mine's as raised as that, but one side has a bigger gap than the other. Will get some pics.

[Mr Sexy]

Yep I'm having all the same issues as above. As my mx5 is a street car I have big plans to make it more streetable, hoping to strengthen the top to stop it twisting, glass windows, make up some beefier side mounts and add a headliner. Although I have no idea when il get around to it, il be sure to post it all. Look forward to seeing what others are going to do to theirs..

[obzelite]

i'd love to find a way to put the proper side mounts on it rather than the bits of twisted coke can.

that said i'm trying to find a reasonable cost way to get the hardcore design one from greece, his has the inside moulded as well, so uses all the factory latches.

[bruce]

Just an observation; these items were never meant to be OEM so expectations should be commensurate.

[mx5gem]

Just an observation; these items were never meant to be OEM so expectations should be commensurate.

If they were $500 you could expect to have some issues.
But when you are being charged $2000+, it’s not unreasonable to expect them to actually fit properly, and also not have the windows fall out!! Neither which seems to be the case here..

[bruce]

If u wanted an OEM carbon hardtop I would expect it to be $5000 plus (look at the price of a good carbon bonnet and then multiply that by the complexity of a hardtop).

[hks_kansei]

If u wanted an OEM carbon hardtop I would expect it to be $5000 plus (look at the price of a good carbon bonnet and then multiply that by the complexity of a hardtop).

I think the complaint is more that there are issues there that would also be a concern on a race car

such as the window popping out etc.

[bruce]

I am neither defending or supporting Lightyear. Just making an observation.
Any problems the logical step is to follow up with the seller.

[hks_kansei]

I am neither defending or supporting Lightyear. Just making an observation.
Any problems the logical step is to follow up with the seller.

Same, I've never looked at any of his work in person, so I cant say if it's good or not.


And yeah, I agree, any issues should be dropped back off with the seller, up to them to offer a solution for design issues (also means they can learn what to change for future variants and recitfy it)

[mx5gem]

And yeah, I agree, any issues should be dropped back off with the seller, up to them to offer a solution for design issues

Probably a bit hard when buyer is in WA, and seller is in Vic. Doubt lightyear would cover the costs to return and fix his faulty product. He is more likely to suggest race tape to correct the issue.

Guess that's the risk you take when you purchase off a backyarder rather than an established business with a proven track record.

[obzelite]

And yeah, I agree, any issues should be dropped back off with the seller, up to them to offer a solution for design issues

Probably a bit hard when buyer is in WA, and seller is in Vic. Doubt lightyear would cover the costs to return and fix his faulty product. He is more likely to suggest race tape to correct the issue.

Guess that's the risk you take when you purchase off a backyarder rather than an established business with a proven track record.

bog was the suggestion.

but i cant bog a 1cm shortfall in the length. for a race car, yeah this might be ok. but road car. meh.

im looking at a few options, including just selling it to someone who wants it for a racecar. i have a conscience so cant sell it without disclosing the issues to anyone with a screetcar.

i think the only way i can fix it without issues is extend the front lip with fibreglass and resin. which is where i'm at right now.

[Junkwhale]

If u wanted an OEM carbon hardtop I would expect it to be $5000 plus (look at the price of a good carbon bonnet and then multiply that by the complexity of a hardtop).

I think the complaint is more that there are issues there that would also be a concern on a race car

such as the window popping out etc.

Just to be clear: I didn't start this thread to complain about problems. It was intended for people to share their modifications to their fastbacks, photos, and any solutions to propblems encountered.

I, and hopefully anyone else involved in the group buy were 100% aware of what they were buying and still thought it was a good deal (there's no other way to get a fastback this good looking except for a $25k OEM one which are so rare as to be not really an option).

I don't care that the window adhesive hasn't turned out to be perfect- it can be replaced. Hopefully when someone has a solution they'll share it for other owners too in this thread if I don't get there first.