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[aussie931]

Hi there,

I have asked a few different people about this but havent goit a straight answer as yet.

CAN THE REMOVABLE ROOF BE RETROFITTED TO CARS WITHOUT?????

Why you may ask - well, Im in Sydney Australia (read it gets bloody hot here). I have ripped out my A/C system from the 931 as it wasnt factory air and was dodgy as hell - was dropping voltage when switched on and didnt blow cold at all. I really would like to retro fit the removeable roof to my car. Im working on a GTS replica (which shouldnt have air or the roof I know) but as the car is driven on the road with the Porsche Club I feel that the roof (with a fibreglass panel to remove the extra weight up high) would suffice - another benefit of the roof is that it actually makes the whole structure stiffer. The body I have is in excellent shape with no major work required paint is even excellent and it doesnt require a repaint so I would like to get the roof installed in my car.

From what I can ascertain the sunroof is basically a hole cut in roof panel with a frame welded up to this - there are 4 drain tubes that run down from each corner and the panel just sits in this (with all relevant brackets/rubber). Why do I keep being told that this is hard - doesnt seem that hard to me - cut the hole out a bit smaller, weld in the frame and then sand back the edges to match. Fit the seals and brakets, install all lining and wella!! I will be writing to POrsche Cars Australia with a simi8lar question and see their response - although I have not received adequate responses from other questions I have raised before.

Can anyone who has a car with the removeable roof option and has the lining removed at present take a good look at how the frame is fitted in and, if possible, take some shots for me from different angles so I can really ascertain what is involved.

There are no wreckers close that have anything I can look at.

Thanks for any advice/ideas or any shots.

Regards,
Peter
DONT TELL ME IT CANT BE DONE!!!

[Guest]

IT CAN BE DONE!! Yes it is alot of work,but anything is possible with some hard work and time...oh yeah...money. If you have all these go for it. I will take a look at mine more closely later (I have the head liner out). The first step that you should do is find a junker with a rust free roof. Tell the salvage yard you want the entire roof.....cut off through the windshield posts, and cut off through the quarter glass. This will give you the entire section with supports drains and everything. If I were doing this job I would swap the roof in the same manner. It can keep the body work hidden in smaller areas. The problem with welding in an entire section on the roof is heat warpage. But it can be done either way.
By no means do you but weld the windshield posts. There will be layers of high stregth stell that need to be over lapped.If you have ever done collision work you would know what I am talking about. The same holds true for attaching through the quarter glass. If you are questioning the stentgh of this fix..not to worry this is how it is taught by ICAR. If you want or need more info let me know.

[awilson40]

If you really want to add a sunroof, I would add an aftermarket unit. For those, you just mark your roof with a template and cut the opening. The sunroof, frame and all, then mounts fine. Might be more cost effective and leak proof than trying to install a factory unit.