lefrog

I need to cut the doors of my C5Z for the Nascar door bars of my rollcage. That probably means that the window will have to go, however I would like to keep the windows for transportation.
What solutions do you guys have to keep the window in place once the motor and the bottom half of the door has been cut?
Is there an alternative to windows to keep the car protected during transportation on an open trailer?
Pictures are welcome!

Thanks

63Corvette

Personally, I have used plexiglas either inside the channels, with a pull that is velcro'd, or not inside the channel, but taped to the opening.

lefrog

The windows are quite curvy on the C5, does the plexiglas bend easily (eventually by warming it up)?

JerryTX

Keep the stock glass (because you already own it and it is free), scribe a line across the glass with a marker where the door frame meets the glass, that is how deep you need to suspend it once you gut the door and nothing remains inside the door or on the bottom of the window. Use a piece of 20ga aluminum that is 12"x 9" and bend a channel for the window to sit in, and then another channel to suspend your aluminum bracket as it sits on inside of the door frame at the top (I remove the weatherstrip at the top of the door for this). For my C6, the channel is 4.25" inches deep and has 2" "v"s on each end (think the letter N). Longer than 2" and you won't be able to drop it in the top of the door. Line it with a little foam padding, drop the window in, shut the door, and tape your door pull (good reminder from 63Corvette).

lefrog

Excellent tips, thanks.
If you have a picture of your C6 setup I would be happy to see that.

MySR71

This thread might give you some more ideas:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...as-needed.html

lefrog

Awesome link. Thanks!

rfn026

I'm not even sure if NASCAR is using "NASCAR bars" anymore. Before you start taking thing apart Google FIA roll cages. Pratt and Miller use them on both the Corvettes and the Cadillacs. The old NASCAR bars are petty antiquated.

Also take a look at what the Aussies are doing in V8 Supercars.

Richard Newton

lefrog

I am not trying to build an FIA GT spec rollcage which is an overkill for my application. SCCA/NASA compliance is what I am aiming at. Actually the Pratt and Miller door bar does not go inside the door, it is aligned with the chassis which would not work in my C5 as it would be in the way.
If you use an X for the door bar, I have read that they don't allow them to bow out, they have to stay in the same vertical plane as it is more solid. This is not the case for a Nascar style door bar.

redvetracr

two words for you.....enclosed trailer

lefrog

Probably the best option if cost is not an issue!

rmackintosh

Yeah, as a bigger guy...my NASCAR door bars are ALL THE WAY out to the door skin. This makes it EASY for my big *** to get in and out of the car, yes STILL have the level of protection that I DEMAND.

LateBreak

With Nascar style bars on a C5, it's really slick to just run verticals at an angle down to the frame. I can't see this being insufficient in any side impact scenario.

Here's one from the Google:

lefrog

Here is the solution I came up with:

fatbillybob

first tow and the suction will pull the window right out.

lefrog

I am not sure what suction you are talking about. Anyhow after hours of towing on highways and bumpy New England roads, I can report that so far the windows haven't move a bit. I even went through a major storm and the car stayed dry. Just make sure you take the time to put adjust the window when you put it in to prevent leaks.

fatbillybob

Well obviously I'm wrong. When doing freeway speeds there is a scution that occurs trying to suck the windows away from the car. It did not look like anything kept the windows from being easily removed from the outside like I could lift the window right out. My bad or am I not seeing you the window is retained? I see how it is seated and will not drop down.

Supercharged111

Wow. A ridiculously simple solution. I think for some warm fuzzies I'd stick some tape along the top.

lefrog

When the window is installed in its proper location as if it were lifted up all the way, there is actually quite a bit of pressure on the weatherstrip just by sitting in place. I never trailer over 70mph on the highway and with the truck in front, that might not create as much of a depression on the windows as if the car were to drive by itself at that speed.
It is actually pretty hard to remove the window if you don't open the door. As there is too much prying involved, I just open the door when I need to remove the window.
I just got an enclosed trailer so only a couple more tows with the open one until I don't need this anymore but it looks like it is working fine.

lefrog

For added security you can put some tape, but if you want something that is resistant to water, you'll have to get some strong tape that is going to be hard to remove and leave marks on both the weatherstrip and the window.
This is probably something one might do for a long haul tow otherwise it might be more of a headache than a real added benefit.