Lexan Rear Hatch Opinion???

Hawk36 · 09-22-2009, 09:55 PM

What is the opinion on a Lexan Rear Hatch?
The one from DEUTSCH NINE looks pretty good. it's non-yellowing, which is what I understand is the biggest issue with lexan.

ritzblitz · 09-22-2009, 09:59 PM

Ive heard for the street they are a little much, But I'd give one a shot if one crossed my path.

CameronKame · 09-22-2009, 10:05 PM

Scratches everywhere

don't worry about it unless you're going trackcar

bmf944 · 09-22-2009, 10:09 PM

i used one on a 90 fc rx-7 i had. it was awesome and was sooooo much lighter. but i dont know if yur doing this for track or what. if thats the case its a no brainer.

PorscheDoc · 09-22-2009, 11:45 PM

Percy's speedglass makes a rear hatch that has a coating on it that will not scratch or haze (well all their glass has the coating). I have taken steel wool to one without a scratch.

Skip Wolfe · 09-23-2009, 12:12 AM

Doc - did you get them directly from Percy's or through a dealer? Any idea on cost? What about their windshields - any experience with them and their durability?

smlporsche · 09-23-2009, 12:44 PM

Apex Performance has them for sale for $3-400.
I had one installed in my race car and it shaved off about 20#.
They also sell a plexiglass cleaner/wax that's used in the aerospace industry and it's working out good so far.

PorscheDoc · 09-23-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Wolfe

Doc - did you get them directly from Percy's or through a dealer? Any idea on cost? What about their windshields - any experience with them and their durability?

Well i use to get them through a dealer (arrowspeed warehouse) because a buddy worked there and it was just as easy to go that route. Then arrow went out of business, and I was able to persuade percy's to sell a few direct, which they really fought me on.....i just kept calling, lol, finally they gave in. Summit racing also sells them IIRC. We have used their windshields mostly, and they have been great. I can't remember what they run, but IIRC they are a little more expensive than your basic lexan.

M758 · 09-23-2009, 12:59 PM

I would not bother for a street car. Too much hassle.

For a track car it can be a help, but it still creates some hassle. 20lbs makes a difference on the track, but there are much easier ways to get 20lbs out for most. Once you have done all the easy stuff then these hatches start looking alot better.

Cole · 09-23-2009, 01:11 PM

I ran a "Speedglass" windshield on a Jeep TJ for about 6-7 years. It was awesome. Loved it on the street even more than on the trail. SUPER slick coating makes water just sheet right off. No scratches, chips to deal with.

One year we drove 8 hours in a snow storm after wheeling. Jeep was covered in mud and muck and the wipers never left a mark on the coated lexan.

Even for a street car I think all the light weight stuff you can do it beneficial. The less weight the car has the more fun it is to drive, the less strain there is on the drive train and the better fuel economy will eventually off set costs.

Not to mention that this shaves weight from a high point on the car which will add to handling. I would imagine that this, a hood and sunroof would even be noticeable on the street.

Potomac-Greg · 09-23-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M758

I would not bother for a street car. Too much hassle.

For a track car it can be a help, but it still creates some hassle. 20lbs makes a difference on the track, but there are much easier ways to get 20lbs out for most. Once you have done all the easy stuff then these hatches start looking alot better.

Curious. What is the "hassle" aspect? The install? Shaving 20 lbs is good, especially when it's above the beltline of the car. It's not my first priority, but my long term goal is to have the best possible dual-purpose car, and if something saves weight without impairing day-to-day driving (occasional, not every day), then it fits my plan.

If I did it, I would pick up a salvage rear frame and just swap the hatch.

M758 · 09-23-2009, 01:44 PM

haze and scratches. Plus the need to be carefull when cleanning. Glass is pretty easy to clean. Remember I also live in dust land. So I can easly get a layer of sand on the car from the wind. Wipe that clean the wrong way it will scratch.

Cole · 09-23-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M758

haze and scratches. .

What haze and scratches?

I took this picture just before selling my TJ. It was on 37" tires, wheeled hard and often. The coated lexan windshield was in the Jeep 6-7 years. Jeep saw more dirt and dust than these Porsches ever will.

This is what it looked like for the sale. (165k on the Jeep)

Just an old photo to give you an idea how hard the Jeep was wheeled.

09-22-2009, 09:55 PM	#1
Hawk36 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harvest, AL Posts: 396	Lexan Rear Hatch Opinion??? What is the opinion on a Lexan Rear Hatch? The one from DEUTSCH NINE looks pretty good. it's non-yellowing, which is what I understand is the biggest issue with lexan. __________________ India Red 85/2 944, It's an addiction... Wanted - Porsche Super AP133 Tractor

09-22-2009, 09:59 PM	#2
ritzblitz Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: State College, PA / Quakertown, PA Posts: 2,354	Ive heard for the street they are a little much, But I'd give one a shot if one crossed my path. __________________ Alex K. '83 944... drives

09-22-2009, 11:45 PM	#5
PorscheDoc Addict Rennlist Member Rennlist Site Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Under Your Car Posts: 6,265	Percy's speedglass makes a rear hatch that has a coating on it that will not scratch or haze (well all their glass has the coating). I have taken steel wool to one without a scratch. __________________ Doc Wilen PCA Instructor 86 951 02 2500HD 00 JGC My P-car blog: DocWilenRacing

09-23-2009, 12:12 AM	#6
Skip Wolfe Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 2,226	Doc - did you get them directly from Percy's or through a dealer? Any idea on cost? What about their windshields - any experience with them and their durability? __________________ Skip '86 951 Ex-Technodyne Racecar '87 951 for sale '88 951 parts car Nationally Certified PCA Instructor Wolfe Racing 951Forums.com

09-23-2009, 12:44 PM	#7
smlporsche Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Smith Mt. Lake, VA, Hatteras Village, NC Posts: 2,904	Apex Performance has them for sale for $3-400. I had one installed in my race car and it shaved off about 20#. They also sell a plexiglass cleaner/wax that's used in the aerospace industry and it's working out good so far. __________________ Eddie PCA National Certified Instructor Andiamo Motorsports 944 S2 R - Stock except..... sponsored by www.PDandM.com, General Contractors. Build Green !

09-22-2009, 10:05 PM	#3
CameronKame User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Near Winston-Salem (NC) Posts: 1,520	Scratches everywhere don't worry about it unless you're going trackcar

09-22-2009, 10:09 PM	#4
bmf944 User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: austin and tallahassee via pheonix! Posts: 52	i used one on a 90 fc rx-7 i had. it was awesome and was sooooo much lighter. but i dont know if yur doing this for track or what. if thats the case its a no brainer.

09-23-2009, 12:59 PM	#9
M758 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 12,982	I would not bother for a street car. Too much hassle. For a track car it can be a help, but it still creates some hassle. 20lbs makes a difference on the track, but there are much easier ways to get 20lbs out for most. Once you have done all the easy stuff then these hatches start looking alot better. __________________ Joe P. 88 944 Turbo S - 100% Stock ++++++++ 84 - 944 Spec #94 Red/White Arizona Region 944Spec Director - Az 944 Spec Champion 02/03, 2006 - 2nd Az Region 944 Spec 2003,2004,2008, 2009 4th - 2009 NASA Nationals - Fastest 944 spec lap at Miller Nationals - 2.19.282 (Sat Warm-up)

09-23-2009, 01:11 PM	#10
Cole Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 551	I ran a "Speedglass" windshield on a Jeep TJ for about 6-7 years. It was awesome. Loved it on the street even more than on the trail. SUPER slick coating makes water just sheet right off. No scratches, chips to deal with. One year we drove 8 hours in a snow storm after wheeling. Jeep was covered in mud and muck and the wipers never left a mark on the coated lexan. Even for a street car I think all the light weight stuff you can do it beneficial. The less weight the car has the more fun it is to drive, the less strain there is on the drive train and the better fuel economy will eventually off set costs. Not to mention that this shaves weight from a high point on the car which will add to handling. I would imagine that this, a hood and sunroof would even be noticeable on the street. __________________ Cole Ford 951 Swag here

09-23-2009, 01:44 PM	#12
M758 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 12,982	haze and scratches. Plus the need to be carefull when cleanning. Glass is pretty easy to clean. Remember I also live in dust land. So I can easly get a layer of sand on the car from the wind. Wipe that clean the wrong way it will scratch. __________________ Joe P. 88 944 Turbo S - 100% Stock ++++++++ 84 - 944 Spec #94 Red/White Arizona Region 944Spec Director - Az 944 Spec Champion 02/03, 2006 - 2nd Az Region 944 Spec 2003,2004,2008, 2009 4th - 2009 NASA Nationals - Fastest 944 spec lap at Miller Nationals - 2.19.282 (Sat Warm-up)