HTC Issue Solved!
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05-05-2022, 07:36 PM
Team Owner
Thread Starter
HTC Update #1
We had a meeting with the manufacturer today.
There has been a lot of testing with this panel. Top up, top down, sitting in traffic, running hard etc. There was very little difference in the temp of the panels. This polycarbonate is rated at 500 degrees. The reason the GM panel has that heat shield is that material is ABS and will melt. There will be a seal attached to the final product. Several GM engineers at the Bash commented that GM should have done this. They also said that they did not see ant issues with the clear panel. The panels are not quite ready for release yet. The packaging and some other things should be completed in about 6 weeks.
There has been a lot of testing with this panel. Top up, top down, sitting in traffic, running hard etc. There was very little difference in the temp of the panels. This polycarbonate is rated at 500 degrees. The reason the GM panel has that heat shield is that material is ABS and will melt. There will be a seal attached to the final product. Several GM engineers at the Bash commented that GM should have done this. They also said that they did not see ant issues with the clear panel. The panels are not quite ready for release yet. The packaging and some other things should be completed in about 6 weeks.
05-02-2022, 08:41 AM
#2
Safety Car
How is it at heat shielding? I see lots of gaps.
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05-02-2022, 08:43 AM
#3
Team Owner
Thread Starter
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05-02-2022, 09:37 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
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2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Can someone just do a test with a heat sensor and give data so we can know whether it's comparable or not? Some actual data would help answer the question for everyone. We can at least baseline against stock, and it would be nice if we could get from GM what they consider "acceptable" before damage to the top is possible. Since that's less likely, let's just get some apples to apples comparison data.
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05-02-2022, 09:53 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
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C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
So much concern being raised and discussed about the aftermarket condenser screens being GM approved, but no mention (at least I haven't read any) about any HTC engine covers being approved. Did I miss the conversation(s)?
05-02-2022, 10:04 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
I can't believe this cover would be as effective at shielding heat as the OEM cover. I'd definitely be concerned about the long term effects on the headliner and seals. There is no insulation (which the OEM cover has) and it doesn't appear to have a radiant heat film (but perhaps it does). You might be able to get away with quick trips to Cars & Coffee but I wouldn't take it on any long road trips in the heat, and definitely not on a track.
It would be interesting to see temperature data between this and the OEM cover on a long road trip in the heat.
It would be interesting to see temperature data between this and the OEM cover on a long road trip in the heat.
05-02-2022, 10:07 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
05-02-2022, 10:09 AM
#10
Safety Car
I would be concerned of that plastic turning yellow from the heat.
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05-02-2022, 10:18 AM
#11
Racer
Very cool design! Good job engineers 
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05-02-2022, 10:50 AM
#14
OP, did your test include measuring the increase (if any) of the surface of the headliner/top? If there is a radiant heat, it would pass through the glass/plastic cover and directly heat the headliner and top, rather then the ambient air in the space where the retracted top resides, or if the top is up, it would directly heat the tonneau surface. The space in there is ventilated, so if there is radiant heat those surfaces could get hot even if the ambient air temperature did not increase much.
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05-02-2022, 11:23 AM
#16
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05-02-2022, 11:57 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
Lots of really good questions being asked here. OP, if this really works (and offered at a reasonable price), I suspect you are going to be receiving ALOT of business. But first, answers please...
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05-02-2022, 08:38 PM
#19
Safety Car
Is this made of acrylic? Will it hold up under the heat, provide the insulation needed, and stay clear after years of use. Most acrylics under heat stress eventually fade yellow, get spider fragments, and eventually crack. Not hating, just asking questions. I’m interested. It looks nice.
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