Update-Targa body braces/pics

[bklyn]

Ok, the braces have been installed and preloaded, after a half hour ride or so I wondered why this product has not been pushed even more. This is no placebo! I have taken roads that I avoided in the past, the ones with speed bumps and some turns that had my top creeking. Well the creeking sounds are gone and although I still dislike the speed bumps the body feels much more firm and solid going over them. I removed the top and re-installed to see if the creeking sounds would return but they did not, this was just a short run but so far I am sold!

[rubenmad]

That's great news! I've always wondered if they truly worked to reduce body flex.

BTW, where did you get the seat belt shoulder strap?? I like it!!

[bklyn]

The shoulder straps were e-bay but be for warned, my wife ordered them 3 weeks before last xmas and they came approx. 4 months later from somewhere in Germany. They are good looking and functional. By the way I did down load about 8 pics but with my tech knowledge you can see how many made it to the post.

[germanfan]

hey there jupiter!

[daepp]

Can you show the lower mounting point?

[nineball]

Originally Posted by DAEpperson

Can you show the lower mounting point?

it just bolts into the lower seat belt bolt, same as the belt end.

[efhughes3]

I still fail to see the need for these. The angle is so minimal, they won't do much, except I suppose solve some creaking in the top. After many, many track days, and some pretty severe runs in the mountains, my Targa has never felt lacking in the handling department. Sure, I've done a lot to it over the years, but in stock form, it was certainly no worse than a stock Coupe.

I mean, you are testing these on roads with speedbumps, and calling them an improvement? I'm sorry, I just don't get that.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by efhughes3

I still fail to see the need for these. The angle is so minimal, they won't do much, except I suppose solve some creaking in the top. After many, many track days, and some pretty severe runs in the mountains, my Targa has never felt lacking in the handling department. Sure, I've done a lot to it over the years, but in stock form, it was certainly no worse than a stock Coupe.

I mean, you are testing these on roads with speedbumps, and calling them an improvement? I'm sorry, I just don't get that.

You have a roll bar, don't you ? I had one in my old Abarth, and it stiffened things up quite a bit. I expect that these bars work to a noticeable degree.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

You have a roll bar, don't you ? I had one in my old Abarth, and it stiffened things up quite a bit. I expect that these bars work to a noticeable degree.

My bar is in there for some rollover protection and the harnesses. A cage with the proper pickup points would add stiffness.

When you look at the slight angle of these braces, they don't have much leverage. They are almost vertical, it seems.

[daepp]

Somehow I think my seat belts attach to the seats at the bottom but I am going from memory.

[leadrsa729]

DAEpperson - from your signature it looks like you have a 72'. you are correct, the seatbelt pickup points go to the seat for that year. I think it was 74' when they started attaching the bottom to the frame, but I could be wrong.

I too own a 72 Targa, and for that reason I never entertained purchasing these bars. Does anyone know if I could drill the mounting points with backing plates for these? Similar as if it were a roll bar I would think, definitely cheeper than buying a rollbar for an early 70's Targa - but is it worth it?

[DRACO A5OG]

Hey Ed,

I felt the same way and even Steve Wong thought the same. I really just wanted the damn creeking to stop on my top. I did not expect the change in body flex.

When Steve drove my car, he did everything he could to try to prove the brace didn't work. he looked at me and smiled "Hey, it works". At past couple of DE's, I do take corners much faster but still 2nd to last , still working on my speed to rev match.

As I mentioned, a Pelican who lives close to me installed the brace on his lowered but stock suspension '86 Targa, it made a day and night change for him

Jim

[jase007]

Interesting. I bought these years ago but were to long for my '76 Targas (even adjusted down). Perhaps they work for SC Targas and newer. I returned them with no problems to PP

[prebordao]

Originally Posted by jase007

Interesting. I bought these years ago but were to long for my '76 Targas (even adjusted down). Perhaps they work for SC Targas and newer. I returned them with no problems to PP

That's strange. They fitted without problems on my 74'

[jase007]

For all I know, my targa tub was bent to s$ht ... and nothing would work. Or, I had a protptype version. It was at least 7 years ago.

[Bristol]

I ordered some Targa Braces for my '86 Carrera yesterday. Should have them later this week, but little time to install before PCA Palooza. I am not worried about creaking noises though. I just want to be able to close my doors better without having to slam the crap out of them. When I close my doors I can see the top flex to fit the doors. I also need to adjust my windows to mate with the top better and I am thinking that these braces could potentially help with that or at least stabilize the door opening better. I think a little preload tension on these braces will help to counter act any sag in the structure and make the doors close like they should.

If they work well for my '86, then I'll also buy some for my '75 Targa project car.

Kirk

'03 Carrera 4S - Techart
'00 Boxster S - Gemballa
'86 Carrera Targa - slant nose wide body
'75 911S Targa - project, beater car
'72 914 - Chalon slant nose wide body

[timmy2]

My new Strut brace and Body braces showed up this weekend. I installed the strut brace easily and it functions and looks good.

I opened the Body Braces packaging and they were all beat up in the shipping tube. The aluminum was scarred and gouged from the metal mounting brackets rubbing the aluminum. They were basically loose in the overly long shipping tube and the very thin bubble wrap didn't protect them at all.

Our host will exchange, but now it's going to be another 2 weeks before I can install as I'm out of town for work this week.

Our host needs to change the way they ship these to better protect the soft aluminum bar from transit damage. (I'm only one state north!)

[Howard M]

I received mine last week and they arrived with the mounting ends screwed in place, so there was no chance of any damage to the bars. Installation was easy and, despite my skepticism, the braces quieted my targa top creaks, so they must be doing something good.

[cliyde]

Had mine installed for a couple of Years now and YES they do work. On the track I noticed a significant difference in stiffness. Just try a before and after Lift of your targa from the side jack points and note the amount of flex reduction at the door jam. The braces eliminate the "gapping" effect.

Cheers!

[bklyn]

I now came to the final conclussion after owning these braces for a couple of weeks now, they work, period. Track, street or local speed bumps there is a difference and thats all I was looking for. After what we all spend on our cars this was a small price for a good up grade.