Swapping to MR Aluminum Roof
Jul 6, 2005, 05:15 PM
#31
Newbie
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting Idea
I think this is an interesting idea and if done right could be really interesting. I have heard of people doing similar stuf with CF on M3s. But the cost would be high. When I was looking at the RS, GSR and MR I seem to remember the MR being the heaviest of the three despite the aluminum roof. I am guessing this is due to more standard options on the MR. Anybody have the weight figures on the three?
So if what I remember is true, a GSR with an aluminum roof would be a better performer than the MR in some respects. Good luck.
BTW, give the guy a break, let him spend the money on what he wants. His experiences might give us all some good information.
So if what I remember is true, a GSR with an aluminum roof would be a better performer than the MR in some respects. Good luck.
BTW, give the guy a break, let him spend the money on what he wants. His experiences might give us all some good information.
Jul 6, 2005, 08:33 PM
#32
Evolved Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The biggest problem with steel to aluminum would be dissimilar metal corrosion. There are ways to combat this. Good primer like zinc chromate will be fine, using aluminum rivets as long as the holes are primed is good. To prevent leaking, just install the rivet with silicone, this will also act as a corrosion barrier.
Obviously you can not weld the two together.
Rivets that dont swell?? Rivets that dont/semi penetrate?? WTF?? They wouldnt hold.
I do aircraft sheetmetal for a living. I work on parts that fly at the speed of sound. We constantly join aluminum structure with steel structure. Its very easy if you have the skills.
I personally would not do this to my car. Go buy the RS or MR w/o SSL
Obviously you can not weld the two together.
Rivets that dont swell?? Rivets that dont/semi penetrate?? WTF?? They wouldnt hold.
I do aircraft sheetmetal for a living. I work on parts that fly at the speed of sound. We constantly join aluminum structure with steel structure. Its very easy if you have the skills.
I personally would not do this to my car. Go buy the RS or MR w/o SSL
Jul 6, 2005, 08:49 PM
#33
Evolved Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by abcdef
Also guys aside from that if you really wanted the aluminum roof wouldn't you have to go all out and get the aluminum side impact beams? Doesn't the MR have those too?
Jul 8, 2005, 07:43 AM
#38
Evolving Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: California
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by althemean
The biggest problem with steel to aluminum would be dissimilar metal corrosion. There are ways to combat this. Good primer like zinc chromate will be fine, using aluminum rivets as long as the holes are primed is good. To prevent leaking, just install the rivet with silicone, this will also act as a corrosion barrier.
Obviously you can not weld the two together.
Rivets that dont swell?? Rivets that dont/semi penetrate?? WTF?? They wouldnt hold.
I do aircraft sheetmetal for a living. I work on parts that fly at the speed of sound. We constantly join aluminum structure with steel structure. Its very easy if you have the skills.
I personally would not do this to my car. Go buy the RS or MR w/o SSL
Obviously you can not weld the two together.
Rivets that dont swell?? Rivets that dont/semi penetrate?? WTF?? They wouldnt hold.
I do aircraft sheetmetal for a living. I work on parts that fly at the speed of sound. We constantly join aluminum structure with steel structure. Its very easy if you have the skills.
I personally would not do this to my car. Go buy the RS or MR w/o SSL
don't forget the structural instability and frame flexing when doing this. But you know what, it doesn't matter money solves all problems.
Last edited by mr96gsx408; Jul 8, 2005 at 07:45 AM.
Jul 8, 2005, 08:11 AM
#39
Evolving Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Barstow, Cali
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mr96gsx408
kinda funny, i already posted something similar a while ago on this thread, but someone deleted it
don't forget the structural instability and frame flexing when doing this. But you know what, it doesn't matter money solves all problems.
don't forget the structural instability and frame flexing when doing this. But you know what, it doesn't matter money solves all problems.
Jul 8, 2005, 08:20 AM
#40
Evolved Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: OH
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But really.....whoever is in a stiff enough competition to realize the beneficial effects of 43 lbs. less even though it is up high on the roof more than likely already has a sponsor and a fully backed race team. Is this really necessary? Really cool and creative ideas, but I think a bit overkill.
Spend your money on driving instruction, suspension, etc..... Just my opinion.
Spend your money on driving instruction, suspension, etc..... Just my opinion.
Jul 8, 2005, 08:47 AM
#41
Evolving Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: California
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by dadriva
But really.....whoever is in a stiff enough competition to realize the beneficial effects of 43 lbs. less even though it is up high on the roof more than likely already has a sponsor and a fully backed race team. Is this really necessary? Really cool and creative ideas, but I think a bit overkill.
Spend your money on driving instruction, suspension, etc..... Just my opinion.
Spend your money on driving instruction, suspension, etc..... Just my opinion.
a dsm'er did this to his eclipse (converted to a targa top) and had rigidity problems plague him constantly. Anyways, mods can delete this also to help increase the vast amount of knowledge on this board
, but hey, at least i tried to warn this rich fool.
Jul 8, 2005, 08:53 AM
#42
Evolving Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Spewgene OR
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you do this you will want a rollcage or rollbar at the least put in, which will put the weight back up there. The aluminum roof is not very structurally sound even as it comes from the factory.
Jul 8, 2005, 10:16 AM
#43
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/cor...004/16E_15.pdf
This is the PDF you guys were looking for, basically the aluminum roof has no disadvantages other than I imagine it would dent easier. In a rollover the roof, whether steel or aluminum should not change the outcome of the crash seeing as how it is the job of the safety structure of the car, the B pilars, the A pilars, and C pillars to support the car under such conditions, all the roof panel does it crunch like a piece of paper. The conversion can be done, and it was designed by Mitsubishi in such a way that it would not be difficult for a regular body shop to perform, that was one of thier design criteria.
Hope that helps,
Max Cudich
This is the PDF you guys were looking for, basically the aluminum roof has no disadvantages other than I imagine it would dent easier. In a rollover the roof, whether steel or aluminum should not change the outcome of the crash seeing as how it is the job of the safety structure of the car, the B pilars, the A pilars, and C pillars to support the car under such conditions, all the roof panel does it crunch like a piece of paper. The conversion can be done, and it was designed by Mitsubishi in such a way that it would not be difficult for a regular body shop to perform, that was one of thier design criteria.
Hope that helps,
Max Cudich
