E46 M3 Racecar Build Pt 7: Removing the Roof!

[@THE46GUY]

This is such a great perfect video. I'm about to remove the roof off of my E46 sedan in preparation for a carbon fiber replacement. I have all my spot weld drill bits ready to go I even got a seam splitter to split the seams but now after washing your video a second or third time it looks like the air chisel is the way to go. It looks like once the spot welds are drilled out having the air chisel and chiseling against the side area of the roof really helps break the spot welds free and it looks like you can actually go all the way around the roof chisel away and then once it's done the roof just pop off. a lot of other videos I see people are using seam splitters or chisels and trying to get underneath the metal and prying the spot welds apart but the air chisel definitely looks like the way to go. The only thing I'm worried about is drilling too far with the spot weld drill bits and making a hole instead of just drilling through the top layer of the roof skin.

[@vmoutsop]

your build is looking great. I am always waiting for the next installment. Looking forward to seeing it finished and seeing it ripping on the track.

[@ChristinaYLam]

Thanks for watching! I'm super excited to have this thing done and racing that I forget sometimes that the build is half the enjoyment. Motor work to come next!

[@robotcantina8957]

Wow, that roof came off pretty easy... or at least you made it look easy : )

[@ChristinaYLam]

It was definitely a tedious process being my first time doing it. Having the right tools like the spot weld drill bits and the cable saw for the windshield helped make life alot easier. There were over 100 spot welds to drill out. From start to finish it did take the better half of the day.

[@jamesmichaels3429]

Great vid Christina! Look forward to part II

[@ChristinaYLam]

Thanks James! We'll be doing some motor work next!

[@jamesmichaels3429]

@@ChristinaYLam I'm curious what you have planned?

[@Genesislights]

Love it the fact you have the safety glasses on! Sometimes people neglect what metal shavings do to your eyes. Wondering if you got the car with salvage title or clean title? Curious how you are planning to attach the CF roof also (mechanical or glue or both)

[@ChristinaYLam]

Safety Third! Er I mean first... :P I bought the car clean with a clean title. Ran and drove well with the SMG. It was a little slow to shift to fourth, but it wasn't a concern since we are swapping out the transmission. For the roof, we use a panel bonding adhesive made by 3M.

[@kurtwasheim3718]

looking good!

[@ChristinaYLam]

Thanks Kurt!

[@gtalearntodrift]

Hi, do you still have the old roof?

[@dogfish1419203]

How much weight comes off the top of the car by replacing roof with CF? Love the build. Also can’t wait to see you get back on track.

[@R55LSD]

I bet it's not much for a non sunroof model.

[@GRPE696]

Looking good.

[@ChristinaYLam]

GRP.E thanks Edgar!

[@rhero9]

Jeez, didn't have to go cutting the roof off your car, should've just told me you wanted a Miata...

[@ChristinaYLam]

rofl! i'd trade with you, but then you'd get ruined with powah and aero.

[@eyeneedfood4344]

Aww yeah Weight reduction