Top replacement

[Tom A]

Hi everyone, I'm working on a 2000 z3 roadster...and the top I have is roached. Has anyone done a complete top transfer from a donor car? I have an opportunity to get my hands on a nice top. The transfer would be the whole top, mechanicals
and all. Does anyone have experience in this and would like to share info?
Thanks in advance.
T

 

[Sean d]

It's not too bad at all, takes about 3 hours, seats and hoops out, remove rear shelf carpet, lots of 10mm bolts and a couple of awkward ones near the side frames, you will need some butyl sealer, the hardest job is removing the old sealer, you will need 2 people

 

[Tom A]

It's not too bad at all, takes about 3 hours, seats and hoops out, remove rear shelf carpet, lots of 10mm bolts and a couple of awkward ones near the side frames, you will need some butyl sealer, the hardest job is removing the old sealer, you will need 2 people

By hoops, are you referring to the roll over hoops?

 

[Sean d]

By hoops, are you referring to the roll over hoops?

Yes

 

[Tom A]

Ok..thanks for the info.

 

[mrscalex]

The good news is it's a cheap job to do. The bad news is it's expensive if you don't get it right = leaks.

It's quite a brave job to try but is perfectly doable with car and patience. The trick is getting the butyl sealant right. You should cover over your rear wings as you will likely damage them with the frame otherwise.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Butyl tape is easier and a lot less messy.

 

[mrscalex]

Butyl tape is easier and a lot less messy.

That's what I use. Although interestingly Jack Smith uses a gun.

 

[Tom A]

Looking forward to the process

 

[mrscalex]

Looking forward to the process

Sean is absolutely right. Removing the old butyl is a real pain and a long job.

Also note there is a sandwich on the rear bulk head of chassis>plastic sealing strip>hood. So there is two layers of butyl sealant to replace to do the full job. There is also a neoprene foam first line barrier that will probably need replacing.

Here's the sealing strip. This is what is in the middle of the sandwhich. The butyl is the butter. And the chassis and hood the bread if you see what I mean.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Page 2 gives you a glimpse of what's required.

https://zroadster.org/threads/the-track-journey-begins.12647/page-2

Where you based?

 

[Tom A]

Thank you.. USA

 

[t-tony]

It's not too bad at all, takes about 3 hours, seats and hoops out, remove rear shelf carpet, lots of 10mm bolts and a couple of awkward ones near the side frames, you will need some butyl sealer, the hardest job is removing the old sealer, you will need 2 people

Well, it's either you or Brian mate.

Tony.