When deleting sunroof, do i need this part?

#1

Do i need to keep the 4-5" metal strip that spans the roof from B pillar to B pillar behind the sunroof hole? its bonded to the roof skin. I have mine half out right now and im hold until i figure this out. I’ve gotten mixed opinions so far.

What have you guys done?

Thanks

#2

If you are talking about the "casette", get rid of it.
See pics

#3

well it might be part of the cassette, but i’m not sure.

i have the entire cassette/tray out. All thats left is a piece of ribbed sheet metal thats about 5 inches wide. Its glued to the roof skin directly behind the sunroof hole. i’m not sure if this part is used on nonsunroof cars or not. if not, it should be legal to remove.

Besides legality, im concerned about the possibility of the roof skin vibrating at high speeds, etc.

#4

Remove it, it’s all part of the sunroof system, therefore is legal. The roof should be clean, and don’t worry about vibration, after the cage is weld in, it feells a lot stiffer.
It should look like this

Sorry don’t have a better pic, but from the red car all the yellow marked parts were removed.

#5

yes, i have everything shown in both pics removed, but neither show the underside where the part i’m talking about is.

If its totally clean though, then i guess it needs to come out

#6

I left that part in. It helps hold the roof and seemed structural. My ITS car has it removed and when leaning on the roof it will pop in. The Spec E30 with it in place is much studier.

Michael O.

#7

I think I know what he’s talking about. I’d leave that in. As noted, makes the roof at least a little less likely to collapse under the weight of a beer bottle. :stuck_out_tongue:

#8

Is this the part you are talking about?

#9

I believe he’s talking about the band across the center in this pic

#10

^yes, what leggwork posted, thanks.

I decided to put it back in. Thanks all.

#11

Yes, that’s under the part I posted. I didn’t touch that for the obvious reasons.:wink:

#12

I got a lot of mixed opionions on that support piece. Some racecars don’t have it and say the roof is really flimsy, but never causes any trouble. FWIW.

Mine is now back in.

I got the sunroof panel reinstalled now using the factory piece stripped of its reinforcements.

I did this by welding little tabs around the sunroof hole for the panel to sit on. I then shimmed the sunroof to a good position w/ wood shims. I then packed the gap full of JB Stick Weld, ie, epoxy silly putty. It worked out really good because it stayed put and didnt drop or leak or make a mess. I must say that stuff is strong and this panel isnt going anywhere.

I then finished the top off w/ black silicone mostly for looks.

On the inside i smoothing things out w/ a grinder and hit it w/ some paint. looks decent.

#13

sounds nice… post a pic.