Ross, thank you. It's always reassuring to know it wasn't just me who noticed the improvement.

 

Xviper - Have you any photos of how you ended up securing the roll bar deflectors - the older threads no longer have the pictures in them.

So far, the only reasonable clean method I can think of is something like a black silicon sealant, but am not sure how easy this would come off if required??

Thanks

 

Here are a couple of pics. The light reflects off the black silicone bead poorly. It isn't really as "bumpy" as is looks on the picture. Run a thin bead along the edge of the plug and then use your finger to "flatten" it all the way around while cleaning your finger when necessary. You have to somehow secure the plug (duct tape) well on one side so you can apply the bead on the other. Clean the surface first with alcohol so the silicone will stick. Once it's cured, you can do the bead on the opposite side. Removing the silicone later can be done without leave marks. The residue can be rubbed off. Sometimes you can just "score" along the bead with a razor and then peel the rest off.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ross
[B]


I then plugged the roll bars, I thought as I had my seat almost against the roll bars I wouldn't notice any difference - Oh how wrong I was.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MajorHavoc
[B]

Now that's what I'm talking about.

 

Thanks for the pics Xviper.
MajorHavoc - I have been looking at taking the roll bars apart to sandwhich the perspex, but in looking at other threads this appears to be a major operation. The two halves are glued together and a pain to get to. You seem to stand a good chance of ruining them if you are unlucky. That idea has definitely gone out of the window.

I have just finished fairly extensive testing of all 3 mods - Due to a side wind I tested with the windows up, this also gave me the least amount of wind to gauge.

Headrests and OEM deflector - no longer the direct, cold blast on the back of the head (exactly what I wanted), but perhaps slightly more buffeting through the middle.

Headrests, Rollbars and OEM deflector - better, but still more buffeting through the middle than 'normal' (I think)

Headrests, rollbars and full height deflector - Much better, amazing the difference in buffeting through the middle, and with the windows up, almost peaceful (well, almost )

Headrests and full height deflector - again major improvement on buffeting, not quite as good as all 3 mods.

All of the testing was going up and down the same stretch of road in both directions with each mod, to allow the most accurate comparison.

Overall, I think the headrests and the full height deflector provide the most protection for me. The roll bars certainly add extra protection, but I am a little unsure if its enough to warrant the change in the look of the roll bars. If I could do the 'sandwhich' install then I probably would, but initially I think it will wait.

So, onwards with the full height deflector. Of course, now I have to test the difference with a 3/4 height to allow it to be folded back without marking the rear screen. Hmmmm.

 

UPDATE ON PROTOTYPE AERO SCREEN

Well Graham came round with the all but finished screen last night. It really looks the dogs bollox!!This is despite the fact that the protective film is still on both sides of the carbon glass for protection till it's fitted. I was quite happy to get the drill out and fit it but Graham being the cautious little rabbit he is wanted to test it before drilling any holes. Bear in mind it has aluminium spring loaded hinges designed to just snap into the upright position with no other retaining mechanism whatsoever.

We left it till fairly late then dropped the top despite the fact it was very cold and windy with occassional light rain. I drove while Graham sat twisted in the passenger seat holding the screen in place just by the hinges. We were frankly unprepared for the enormous pressure being applied to the screen from the rear. As we suspected the pressure from the front is none existent as the windscreen deflects the airstream well over the top of the car. We were initially quite jubilant as the screen didn't move at all and there is absolutely no vibration which was another concern.

However at 80mph the screen started to very slowly rotate inwards on the hinges under the enormous back pressure. At considerably faster speeds the inward rotation was still gradual and not a sudden snap into the full down position which was another of our fears. Frankly we were just glad to get home without being pulled as my licence would have been shredded on the spot!!

All in all we're very pleased. We're slightly disappointed that it started to fold, but I can only suggest that until you've turned around with your face into that hurricane which comes between the roll hoops with no protection whatsoever, you don't fully appreciate the protection you're already getting from the seat back . Graham was frozen to the marrow!

We'll be fitting the screen in the next few days I would think with clear plastic sticky stops on the inside edges of each roll hoop. This means it will no longer fold forward into the down postion as was planned but that's no real biggy and will cure the rotational problem. The roof will go up and down with the screen upright without fouling anywhere and we're hopefoul that even in the folded back position it wont catch the roof when the roof is operated.

All in all we're well chuffed!

 

look forward to seeing the end result then Cedric

 

Cool work CT - my version has gone on temporary hold until I an sort out a decent fixing method. Seems like this was an unexpected problem for you, so I will use your experience to try something new......Hmmmm, what though!...

Can't wait to see the finished work!