Testing the Targa brace...

[redridge]

So I bought a set of Targa braces awhile back and finally installed them. They mount on the shoulder and floor mounts of the front seatbelt and use the existing bolts. So I did a test to see if they actually worked.

This is what they look like.


here is a measurement when the Targa is on 4 wheels down…


As targa owners know, when the rear end is lifted from the rear lifting point (front on the rear wheel well), the rear end droops a little… you can tell by the gap of the door and body. Notice the measurement difference when the rear end is up...



Dropped the car back down and installed the brace… and tightened it up by shortening the brace.


lifted the rear end again and took another measurement… So it works, not perfect but it is a little stiffer.


brought the car back down and took another measurement..


I guess in time it will loosen and of course you have to tighten it... Im gonna keep an eye on this mod to see if a like it... Take it for what it is…

[McLovin]

That's interesting, but I wonder how much application it has to real life driving?

I have those braces on my Targa. At first I thought I might be able to tell a difference, but I'm not really sure.

I've always thought an interesting test would be to rig up some kind of measuring device to check movement/flex during actual driving. Like on the gap between the windshield header and the top of the door frame, the gap that you measured, etc.

[dnovick911]

Interesting. Car "squeak" any less?? Thanks, Dave

[964TargaC2]

I know my targa has fewer noises after braces installed but this study is objective proof..

Hey how about some pics of the car without roof..my favorite color combo!

[Scooter]

I like this objective proof. I feel a significant difference in cockpit rigidity and no squeak.

My brace is Brey Krause and includes a cross brace with the Targa brace...can't image driving without it.

BTW: I am installing a roll bar, so I am selling my Brey Krause unit here if any of you are interested: Brey Krause Targa Harness Bar For Sale

[hhackma]

I bought a set too. Waiting for them to arrive.

[Darkly-Noon]

Very interesting - thanks for sharing your results. I bought a set of braces too, but my car is still away in storage (stupid winter!) but I'm looking forward to trying them.

One question - you mention tightening the brace by shortening it, putting it in tension. I wonder what the result might be by lengthening the brace slightly and putting it in compression? The normal sagging of the car might be lessened. Just a thought - I might try that myself if spring ever comes...

cheers
John

[redridge]

Originally Posted by McLovin

That's interesting, but I wonder how much application it has to real life driving?

Im sure thats a different ball game... In some case, the test Ive done is prob worst case (tires off the ground) in a straight line... but on the twisties is prob where it is less effective since the frame is twisting.

Originally Posted by dnovick911

Interesting. Car "squeak" any less?? Thanks, Dave

I havent driven the Targa with the brace yet so we'll see...

I had a 996 with a tequipment roll bar by Porsche (bolt on) and on the track I can hear it squeak on fast tight corners, so its an indication that the bar is doing something.

Originally Posted by 964TargaC2

I know my targa has fewer noises after braces installed but this study is objective proof..

Hey how about some pics of the car without roof..my favorite color combo!

Originally Posted by Scooter

I like this objective proof. I feel a significant difference in cockpit rigidity and no squeak.

Proof? for this one time in the garage... yes. On the road?... cant wait to drive and find out. Spring cant get here soon enough.

Originally Posted by Darkly-Noon

Very interesting - thanks for sharing your results. I bought a set of braces too, but my car is still away in storage (stupid winter!) but I'm looking forward to trying them.

One question - you mention tightening the brace by shortening it, putting it in tension. I wonder what the result might be by lengthening the brace slightly and putting it in compression? The normal sagging of the car might be lessened. Just a thought - I might try that myself if spring ever comes...

cheers
John

try it out and let us know...

my reasoning by shortening it is to keep the gap between the door and body as small as possible. But I see your reason, If it was longer the brace will be under compression when the frame flexes.... interesting.

[daepp]

I wish someone would come up with a solution for the 73 and earlier cars. Our seatbelts mount to the seat so the brace above will not work.

[RSTarga]

Thats a big gap even before you jack.

[gamin]

Noise from the targa top went away with the installation of the braces and has not returned over time.

[porwolf]

Can anybody here explain the theory behind these "Targa braces". The Targa, or convertible for that matter, flexibility is caused by the lack of the roof. The bottom panel assembly has to carry the whole load of the lenght wise flex of the body. Why would the "Targa brace" that connects only vertically help the length wise flex? And the Targa bar insures a sideways stiffness. There the "Targa braces" cannot contribute anything. So, what is the theory behind the "Targa braces"?

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Can anybody here explain the theory behind these "Targa braces". The Targa, or convertible for that matter, flexibility is caused by the lack of the roof. The bottom panel assembly has to carry the whole load of the lenght wise flex of the body. Why would the "Targa brace" that connects only vertically help the length wise flex? And the Targa bar insures a sideways stiffness. There the "Targa braces" cannot contribute anything. So, what is the theory behind the "Targa braces"?

My guess is that the brace adds a little more support by connecting the targa bar to the body just ahead of the point where it normally gives a bit.
Looks like he skipped the theory part and went right to the proof. Saved a lot of time and money in research.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by snbush67

My guess is that the brace adds a little more support by connecting the targa bar to the body just ahead of the point where it normally gives a bit.
Looks like he skipped the theory part and went right to the proof. Saved a lot of time and money in research.

But on the above test the results are not overwhelming.

[snbush67]

For reference the bar is at an angle and adds to the structural integrity. It would probably be best to use these to prevent the original body weakening.

[pors1968]

I had set like SNBUSH67 on swb targa .Make big difference.Had to do some mod for these bare.

[redridge]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Thats a big gap even before you jack.

what is the standard gap... anyone?

[pors1968]

I think is 4mm on top

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by pors1968

I had set like SNBUSH67 on swb targa .Make big difference.Had to do some mod for these bare.

Was Targa bar to compensate for internal rust damage in the frame near the bottom back corner of the doors?

[pors1968]

The 67-68 targa were the first and they did not have the braket on tube weld to center and the car had no rust just a 3L euro mod.I had the original engine in garage.