Replace rear window with fiberglass?

General Mazda MX-3 Discussions
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fowljesse
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Replace rear window with fiberglass?

Post by fowljesse »

Has anyone replaced the window with somethiung lighter? I've seen it done on dragsters, but I'm sure I can't afford the Lexan. I'm thinking of putting in a sheet of Aluminum, fiberglass, or Carbon Fiber (If affordable), and using a back up camera. What do you guys think?
Does the window actually add any structural strength?
Last edited by fowljesse on November 22nd, 2007, 4:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'93 GS - P&P DE w/ ZE exh. cams/ pistns, KLG4 IM, 65mm TB, MSnS, Phenos, K&N RAI, UDP, Grnd wires, rear batt, filld MM, torq strt, TWM short shftr, Exedy, Lng tube hdrs 2.5" Side exhaust, H&R sprngs, Poly bushngs, strutbars, Alum. crss mmber&tiebar, 22mm swybar, solid links, Direzzas, leather int, Alpine 9805 stereo & alrm, keyless entry, 10 Boston Accoustics spkrs, Prjectrs, Blaster2, CF hood, FG hatch, Lexan
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TREVO123
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Post by TREVO123 »

Its the frame of the window that gives it the the strength. I dont recommend smashin the window out either. they are expensive to replace. My buddys got smashed out and was $1500 just to replace it!
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Post by mitmaks »

I would actually replace frame with reinforced fiberglass one and stick in lexan window, you'll lose close to 50lbs right there.
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mr1in6billion
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Post by mr1in6billion »

TREVO123 wrote:My buddys got smashed out and was $1500 just to replace it!
Why didn't he just get a new hatch from a junkyard? Much cheaper, even if you do have to paint it.
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fowljesse
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Post by fowljesse »

Ultimately, I'd like to replace the window with Lexan. Does anyone know how much it would cost?
'93 GS - P&P DE w/ ZE exh. cams/ pistns, KLG4 IM, 65mm TB, MSnS, Phenos, K&N RAI, UDP, Grnd wires, rear batt, filld MM, torq strt, TWM short shftr, Exedy, Lng tube hdrs 2.5" Side exhaust, H&R sprngs, Poly bushngs, strutbars, Alum. crss mmber&tiebar, 22mm swybar, solid links, Direzzas, leather int, Alpine 9805 stereo & alrm, keyless entry, 10 Boston Accoustics spkrs, Prjectrs, Blaster2, CF hood, FG hatch, Lexan
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Kirk95gs
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Post by Kirk95gs »

Heres a custom job for ya..

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del sol conversion kit that was made a couple years back..
somorecords
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Post by somorecords »

thats cool, i wonder how much that would cost
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Post by Kirk95gs »

I think it was 900$CDN.. But I could be wrong.. that was like 5+ years ago..
Juans_93_MX3
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Post by Juans_93_MX3 »

somorecords wrote:thats NOT cool, i wonder how much of a waste of money that is?
Probably like $900 for the whole garbage bodykit.
I agree
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Post by Mooneggs »

I like it I would do it to one of mine...
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Post by umcamara »

Mooneggs wrote:I like it I would do it to one of mine...
Yup...I think I would too. Only reason being that I like the clean look of a nice car without a spoiler, but IMHO the MX-3 hatch looks hilarious without the spoiler. As funny as people may think that del sol hatch looks, I think it looks better than an MX-3 sans spoiler.
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umcamara
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Post by umcamara »

On second thought, after quickly googling MX-3 del sol and looking at some pics. It does look kinda funny.
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fowljesse
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Post by fowljesse »

Yeah, I've seen a few of those. I like the original body line, and just want to shave weight for cornering. Any information about replacing the window with something lighter of the exact same shape wopuld be really cool.
'93 GS - P&P DE w/ ZE exh. cams/ pistns, KLG4 IM, 65mm TB, MSnS, Phenos, K&N RAI, UDP, Grnd wires, rear batt, filld MM, torq strt, TWM short shftr, Exedy, Lng tube hdrs 2.5" Side exhaust, H&R sprngs, Poly bushngs, strutbars, Alum. crss mmber&tiebar, 22mm swybar, solid links, Direzzas, leather int, Alpine 9805 stereo & alrm, keyless entry, 10 Boston Accoustics spkrs, Prjectrs, Blaster2, CF hood, FG hatch, Lexan
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Post by jamesmx3 »

what about using plexiglass?(sp)
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Post by Mooneggs »

jamesmx3 wrote:what about using plexiglass?(sp)
yeah isn't there a thread on uk-mx3 about that? did you guys ever figure anything out?
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