in trying to get my Ti to shed a few hundred pounds, but still be usable as a DD... I have decided I want to get rid of the power windows and go to cranks (I am the only one who uses/rides in it) and I was wondering if anybody knows if any E36 came with crank up windows? Maybe the lowly european only 316?
I've heard that in many cars the crank-up assembly doesn't shed much (if any weight). How true? I dunno, but I doubt you'd shave all that much.
even if the actual window mechanism doesn't weigh any less, all the assorted wires, switches, and relays weigh something.
Don't the E36 windows have to go down a bit because of the frameless windows? Are you prepared to remember to open the window every time you get out of the car, and leave them down a bit parked in the rain?
Streetwiseguy wrote: Don't the E36 windows have to go down a bit because of the frameless windows? Are you prepared to remember to open the window every time you get out of the car, and leave them down a bit parked in the rain?
E36 windows do indeed have a frame... you meant to say "cramped back seat" or "Failure prone wheel bearings"
When I was in Europe, I found that many cars that have power windows across the board in the US come with manual windows in their home market. I'm sure the parts are available, but you may need to source them from over there.
Probably more trouble than it's worth.
leather pull belt with notches like in old cars?
Blitzed306 wrote:Streetwiseguy wrote: Don't the E36 windows have to go down a bit because of the frameless windows? Are you prepared to remember to open the window every time you get out of the car, and leave them down a bit parked in the rain?E36 windows do indeed have a frame... you meant to say "cramped back seat" or "Failure prone wheel bearings"
Depends on the E36: sedans have window frames, coupes don't...and the windows roll down slightly when you open the door.
Not sure about the 'ti', since it's odd.
the ti has a sedan style door with the length of the coupe door. So it does have a frame. And like I said.. it is not the shedding weight thing (though that is big) but less complexity that I want.
A plus will be people at meets looking in my car and being puzzled by the window cranks
The ti has window frames, but I doubt you'll save much weight there.
I'd start by removing as much sound deadening as possible and simplify the stereo. Lots of weight there.
mad_machine wrote: the ti has a sedan style door with the length of the coupe door. So it does have a frame.
You may need Ti-specific window regulators then.
You are taking a complex approach to simplicity.
I cannot imagine the gear mechanism, crank and so on would be much lighter than the motor/gear assembly. You might spend a lot of time to find you gain a little weight or only lose a very little bit.
The ti regulators are the same as the 4dr regulators, although I have no idea if they ever made an E36 4dr with manual windows.
Replace the glass with lexan, remove sound deadening and stereo, replace door panels with aluminum, remove back seat, remove trunk/cargo area carpet, remove passengers seat, install lighter weight performance exhaust. The list is nearly endless, the question is how much inconvenience, and noise are you willing to put up with?
Yes, I have done all of the above to various street cars over the years.
Lite weight battery is a big weight loser.
If your Ti has a sunroof, remove the entire cassette, replace the metal door w/ CF, alum or lexan and then make a new headliner to cover the ugly roof. That will save over 40lbs up very high and not detract from anything useful (except rollover protection so you should probably atleast have a bar).
adding lightness sound kinda funny doesnt it? kinda like "adding vacuum", ur only subtracting lol. back on topic, the conversion may result in minimal "gains" but a pound here and there adds up. this also sounds awesome if your aim is to keep it clean, its not a track rat, is it?
In my 95 VW I've always downgraded equipment or just removed it when something broke. It's now more like a 29 Ford.
+1 for sound deadening. BMW uses a lot - I pulled about 70lbs. worth out of my old E28, IIRC, and that was just the easy stuff.
no, not a track rat.. it's actually my warm weather DD that I am intending on taking to a few Track Days here in Millville sometime soon.
I just do not see the need for 10million pounds of sound deadening and comforts when none of my previous cars had them.
I already replaced the battery with a lightweight Hawker odyessy. I was thinking of making a C/F panal for the sunroof and using the guts of one of those cheap aftermarket sunroofs to allow me to pop it up and remove it on nice days.
how do you feel about a/c? +1 sound deadening, carpet, the undercoating is heavy too, lighter battery, radio delete or direct outlet for ipod only. Shave bumpers or replace the innards with light tubing or glass bumper shells only. Lighter unsprung stuff - wheels, calipers.
Also, in a Ti... that rear glass is HEAVY. Lexan that puppy and ditch the wiper, motor and wiring.
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