Targa / Roll bar

[Porsche virgin]

I once saw a mechanic put a Targa on a lift, and the front and back ends sagged in an upside-down U shape. Does the addition of a roll bar or full roll cage cut down on the chassis flex inherent in Targas? Which is better, bolt-in or weld-in?

[MichiganMat]

Cages make a huge difference in both coupes and targas from what I've seen and heard. I suspect they would _really_ make a difference in the targas though. I doubt a bolt in rollbar would greatly decrease flex though, the flex point seems to be at the base of the door jam and most bars won't affect that area. Do some searches too, theres plenty of info on this board

[KobaltBlau]

your post makes this problem sound worse than it really is.

The problem here is making something that ties the front and back "halves" of a targa together without making it hard to get in and out of for street use. This is a difficult challenge.

IMO, a plain roll bar will not make the big difference, but I would be interested in hearing from targa owners with bolt or weld in roll bars that don't cross the door area.

[BigD9146gt]

My solution was not of the highest reinforcments, but it definetly strenghtened my chassis without any hard-core cross sections keeping me from getting into my car. Its all 1.5" chromoly by .095" wall. Eight point mounts.

[Porsche virgin]

I intend to use my car for autox and DE events about 90% of the time, so a brace along the doors wouldn't bother me too much.

Has anybody tried the Targa body brace for sale here on PParts? It is listed under "Suspension & Bearings."

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/images/new_images4/mdtb0011.JPG

BigD9146gt - Elegant w/o being obtrusive.

[MichiganMat]

there is more than enough discusson on the targa braces on this board

[KobaltBlau]

Nice, BigD. It's nice to see stuff like that. good design!

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by Porsche virgin
I intend to use my car for autox and DE events about 90% of the time, so a brace along the doors wouldn't bother me too much.

Then why did you buy a targa? Don't get me wrong, I love my targa, but it is very much used on the street.

[Porsche virgin]

KobaltBlau - I didn't buy one yet. There are just SO many more Targas for sale than coupes.

MichiganMat - Did you mean to say: "If you do a search on this board, you should be able to find a lot of useful information on this topic?" If so, thanks for your help.

After reading the posts that MM was so kind to guide me to, I realize I need to confine my search to coupes.

Thanks for everybody's help.

[MichiganMat]

Yeah, sorry guys, kinda grumpy this morning. The targa brace has been discussed, so far I haven't seen any good evidence to support its use but I could be wrong. I did read an old article from Car and Driver when they tested a bunch of the 911s and found that they enjoyed the targa and its flex more than the coupes. They liked the handling, go figure. The targa vs coupe argument has been battled over heavily on this board, page after page of pros and cons, ugh. It comes down to preference, price, availability, etc... If you test out any targas be sure to get it out on the highway and listen for wind noise and check for leaks and squeeks, those seem to be the biggest complaints.

[masraum]

Why would you need to brace a targa, there are no inherent weak spots!!

[MichiganMat]

oh god...

shes going up for sale later today...

[Porsche virgin]

Thanks, MM.

I'd love a '74 with a 3.0L. Sounds like a great combo. Light weight, plenty of reliable power.

[geof33]

Sounds like your Targa is pretty used up. One of the things my Mech did during the PPI was to put it up and see of the doors closed and opened well. Mine did, thus being a "tight" car. I would definately do a full cage if I were to be serious about tracking this car... It's my street baby. I bought a coupe for my track car.

I did buy the braces that tie in the two seat belt points. This was about as good a bracing as I could get while still being able to allow my daughter easy access to the rear seats. They stiffened things up nicely and look good for street use.

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by masraum
Why would you need to brace a targa, there are no inherent weak spots!!

as opposed to coupes, which have no weak spots:

[geof33]

Ok, you'se guys need to quit posting those pictures... I'm gonna hurl!!!

PS... I wonder if the dude in the Targa in the pic had his spare tire in the car... Probably would have saved his life!!! (as it blew by his head!!)

Also, notice the rockers didn't bend at all in either picture... Hmmm.

[masraum]

You're right, the rockers appear to be stiff as boards, so that'd be a good place to hug when the $hit hits the fan.

Actually on the above targa I think the problem was that the guy put in an ejection seat and didn't really think out the execution very well.

On the coup it looks like something really big was hungry and thought it looked like a big m&m or something.

The extremes of what can happen are pretty scary.

[KobaltBlau]

LOL, mas. very interesting on the rockers.

As an aside, I think it's impossible to tell the crashworthiness of a vehicle from photos like this. I have seen pictures of sturdy cars (like volvos) smashed to bits as well. Bottom line, if the accident is bad enough for the car in question, your time has come.

[masraum]

Yep, I definitely wasn't trying to cast aspersions on targas, I just got rid of one that I loved. It would flex a little when jacked up, but the door would still open and close, but my miata seems stiffer. I often thought a cage would be a good thing, but next time I'll probably just hold out for a coupe. The targa was nice, but for as often as I had the top off I might as well get the increased structural integrity.

[KobaltBlau]

I have noticed the same amount of flex you describe. I have actually had the top off much more than I thought I would. different strokes for different folks (and different weather)...