camaro sunroof affect performance? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

miguelortiz-usmc · 04-02-2015, 08:59 AM

i was just wondering if a sunroof affects performance or aerodynamics and if so what is the difference???

Spec · 04-02-2015, 09:01 AM

I don't think it affects performance. Maybe when open it adds a bit of downforce... but performance inhibiting. I don't think so.

If anything, doesn't it make the car a bit lighter? Good question, not entirely sure...

gajagfan · 04-02-2015, 09:04 AM

Track guys are going to comment about the 40 additional pounds located in the worst possible place....the roof (highest point on the car), and they have a good point. having never driven the two back to back, I can not comment. Our car does not have a sun roof because of my height, but considering the handling issue, I am glad it does not.

Ragnar · 04-02-2015, 09:40 AM

I bought my car with a sunroof as a DD, not for dedicated track use. If you plan on being a serious tracker, then you will want shed as much weight as possible, trying to pick up your time, no sunroof is the way to go. So yeah, in that case it will affect performance. On the aerodynamics, I doubt it would create enough of a difference, to even notice. But, if you have the back part of the roof tilted up, could you get some extra down force at higher speed

Splitting hairs on that one.

JLSuperfly · 04-02-2015, 12:04 PM

I am sure it does due to weight and structural integrity. However, I always drive with the sunroof open. A must have in California.

Angrybird 12 · 04-02-2015, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spec

I don't think it affects performance. Maybe when open it adds a bit of downforce... but performance inhibiting. I don't think so.

If anything, doesn't it make the car a bit lighter? Good question, not entirely sure...

Not lighter, heavier, for one glass ,weighs more than metal, then you add the framework for the tracks and motor to make it work, then the sunshade, not sure if there is additional bracing but I imagine that is handled in the sunroof framework.
It all adds up and it's not located well for handling either. Raises the center of gravity.

ToolFan66 · 04-02-2015, 12:46 PM

The only person this should matter too is the guy that pretty much lives at the track and spends a lot of money on his car to be lighter, and faster..

To the novice guys, which most of the guys on this forum are, it's not going to be a deal breaker for them with or without a sunroof.. Most here don't track their car anyways..

For the guys that throw on a few performance bolt-ons it will not make that much of a difference if any at all..

Sometimes I think the common car guy over thinks things, the wanna-be race car drivers.. That's not a knock on any one here as I have done the same, but lets get into reality, almost everyone here will not be a proffessional track driver, as most will not track their car, if so very little..

Hey this is what keeps the aftermarket alive and well...

mariojmoe · 04-02-2015, 12:58 PM

Mine has a sunroof (must have in Texas too) which is what steered me away from a new 5.0 mustang (no sunroof option). I had mine to 160 before and it did get a little wind whistle through the sunroof (it was closed) but non the less did not affect performance, plus I don't do that dumb shi* all the time anyway.

qcman · 04-02-2015, 01:16 PM

Maybe we should post 1/4 mile times with and without a sunroof lol. For one I like mine because as someone who likes to drive with the windows down all the time I find with the sunroof open there is a lot less wind buffeting in the car than with it closed.

And its never going to matter performance wise for what i'll do with car.

Destructo09 · 04-02-2015, 01:40 PM

It makes wearing a helmet a bit more troublesome, my brother isn't that tall and he still rubs his helmet on the liner while autocrossing/tracking.

Also, it does add probably about 40lbs of weight in the worst possible location

PalmerGA · 04-02-2015, 03:04 PM

Performance be damned! I'm having a sunroof!!!

Chris1SS1LE · 04-02-2015, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spec

I don't think it affects performance. Maybe when open it adds a bit of downforce... but performance inhibiting. I don't think so.

If anything, doesn't it make the car a bit lighter? Good question, not entirely sure...

No offense, but did miss-state or are you on crack. It will not create downforce like a spoiler, it will create a huge drag aka like a parachute. When closed you will be normal, but open not so good. Try this go 100 mph open your sunroof, does the cars RPM increase trying to maintain 100 mph. If not all is good, but there is no way in HELL that it creates downforce like a splitter or a wicker spoiler.

MBS · 04-02-2015, 07:35 PM

Driving ability and not being a fat ass should make up for it

cmracing · 04-02-2015, 07:40 PM

It adds weight to the car, no doubt. It also takes away much needed headroom in may case, but that's life. If I had known I would have bought a convertible or a hardtop, too late for that. Does look nice though inside!

04-02-2015, 08:59 AM	#1
miguelortiz-usmc Drives: 2013 v6 camaro ls Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: jacksonville nc Posts: 58	camaro sunroof affect performance? i was just wondering if a sunroof affects performance or aerodynamics and if so what is the difference???

04-02-2015, 09:40 AM	#4
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,673	I bought my car with a sunroof as a DD, not for dedicated track use. If you plan on being a serious tracker, then you will want shed as much weight as possible, trying to pick up your time, no sunroof is the way to go. So yeah, in that case it will affect performance. On the aerodynamics, I doubt it would create enough of a difference, to even notice. But, if you have the back part of the roof tilted up, could you get some extra down force at higher speed Splitting hairs on that one. __________________

04-02-2015, 12:46 PM	#7
ToolFan66 Drives: 2011 2SS 6.2L W/RS package Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,008	The only person this should matter too is the guy that pretty much lives at the track and spends a lot of money on his car to be lighter, and faster.. To the novice guys, which most of the guys on this forum are, it's not going to be a deal breaker for them with or without a sunroof.. Most here don't track their car anyways.. For the guys that throw on a few performance bolt-ons it will not make that much of a difference if any at all.. Sometimes I think the common car guy over thinks things, the wanna-be race car drivers.. That's not a knock on any one here as I have done the same, but lets get into reality, almost everyone here will not be a proffessional track driver, as most will not track their car, if so very little.. Hey this is what keeps the aftermarket alive and well... __________________ KooKs LT Headers, Borla S-Type cat back, RotoFab CAI, Bo White PTB, RMCR tune...

04-02-2015, 01:40 PM	#10
Destructo09 Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS/LS3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Raleigh-Durham Posts: 1,409	It makes wearing a helmet a bit more troublesome, my brother isn't that tall and he still rubs his helmet on the liner while autocrossing/tracking. Also, it does add probably about 40lbs of weight in the worst possible location __________________ 2010 2SS BMR 1" Springs Koni Orange struts/shocks 1LE rear sway bar SRP Racing Pedals Hurst Billet short shifter Square tire/wheel setup Elite Engineering Catch Can Stainless Power longtubes/highflow cats K&N Typhoon CAI RPM Motorsports of Garner, NC dyno tune (421 RWHP)

04-02-2015, 03:04 PM	#11
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,755 View My Garage	Performance be damned! I'm having a sunroof!!! __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

04-02-2015, 09:01 AM	#2
Spec Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,018	I don't think it affects performance. Maybe when open it adds a bit of downforce... but performance inhibiting. I don't think so. If anything, doesn't it make the car a bit lighter? Good question, not entirely sure...

04-02-2015, 09:04 AM	#3
gajagfan Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Black - Std Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 3,622 View My Garage	Track guys are going to comment about the 40 additional pounds located in the worst possible place....the roof (highest point on the car), and they have a good point. having never driven the two back to back, I can not comment. Our car does not have a sun roof because of my height, but considering the handling issue, I am glad it does not.

04-02-2015, 12:04 PM	#5
JLSuperfly Drives: 2014 Red Hot LS3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,266	I am sure it does due to weight and structural integrity. However, I always drive with the sunroof open. A must have in California.

04-02-2015, 12:58 PM	#8
mariojmoe Account Suspended Drives: C7 Z06 manual, 18 Zl1 manual, etc Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Spring Texas Posts: 1,488	Mine has a sunroof (must have in Texas too) which is what steered me away from a new 5.0 mustang (no sunroof option). I had mine to 160 before and it did get a little wind whistle through the sunroof (it was closed) but non the less did not affect performance, plus I don't do that dumb shi* all the time anyway.

04-02-2015, 01:16 PM	#9
qcman Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS RDP Tuned L99 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada eh? Posts: 1,889	Maybe we should post 1/4 mile times with and without a sunroof lol. For one I like mine because as someone who likes to drive with the windows down all the time I find with the sunroof open there is a lot less wind buffeting in the car than with it closed. And its never going to matter performance wise for what i'll do with car.

04-02-2015, 07:35 PM	#13
MBS Drives: 2010 rs 2lt Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: wisconsin Posts: 2,497	Driving ability and not being a fat ass should make up for it

04-02-2015, 07:40 PM	#14
cmracing Drives: 2014 RS/SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NJ Posts: 191	It adds weight to the car, no doubt. It also takes away much needed headroom in may case, but that's life. If I had known I would have bought a convertible or a hardtop, too late for that. Does look nice though inside!