Targa noise - anyone uses this extra seal ?

[prebordao]

I had a Porsche booklet entitled "Sealing the 911" for some time, but only today noticed that they mention an extra front seal for reducing wind noise. It's part 91179956525, currently listed as NLA at our host.

Does it helps ? It's a simple profile, probably can be adapted from something else.

See below:

[steve911T]

Yes, I use a 1/2 (foam, 1/2 thick) piece of weatherstripping, place sticky side up on the Targa top the length of the T. top and gets rid of most of the noise. Steve

[CCM911]

Steve - is your Targa now quiet inside at highway speeds? Mine is so loud that I hate highway driving with the top on. It drives me crazy!

[prebordao]

Soo simple. I'll try it.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by steve911T

Yes, I use a 1/2 (foam, 1/2 thick) piece of weatherstripping, place sticky side up on the Targa top the length of the T. top and gets rid of most of the noise. Steve

I went 1/4", sticky side down on the windshield seal. $1.99 window foam tape at Lowe's. Pffffft - noise gone.

If I ever use up the roll I may have to try your 1/2" upgrade.

[bigel]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I went 1/4", sticky side down on the windshield seal. $1.99 window foam tape at Lowe's. Pffffft - noise gone.

Pictures please...not sure where you've affixed the "foam tape".

[prebordao]

So if i understand, Mister Moo glued the tape to the windshield rail and Steve to the top itself...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by prebordao

So if i understand, Mister Moo glued the tape to the windshield rail and Steve to the top itself...

Sounds like it to me but the impact is the same with both - foam between the top and the rubber seal. I like the sealing to the top option better as the foam will not show when you drive topless.

The noise can be awful. I drive eight hours to visit my father and I have used black duct tape ("Gorilla Tape") and sealed over the outside gap just to drop the noise level during the drive. Clean-up was required and I never did it again but I know what you are experiencing.

[darrin]

how does folding the top affect the tape when glued to the top?

[prebordao]

Probably you should do small cuts along the folding lines

[steve911T]

Preborda and CCM911,

I have the correct front seal that Dan Pechtel from Bordentown, NJ sells and the Targa top is less than 10 years old (according to PO, lost original in one of the hurricanes in S. Fl in 2005, allegedly) so those seals look great. I replaced the rear, Targa bar seal. last year and was still making lots of wind noises. I also adjusted the driver side door and that got rid of the wind noise behind my left ear but still had the front wind noise. I put the 1/2" insulation and that helped some but I made one more adjustment. I took a 3" piece of solder, folded it up like an accordian, about 1" by1/2" and put it on the roller (89 Targa) and then tightened the latch. It pulled the top down and now I can even talk on my cell phone at 65 mph or less. Dan Pectel has the new or used latchs but they are $300. I never fold the Top. It fits behind the seats in an open position. Search on PP Dan Pectel or Targa top, he is the expert. I am an ab libber. Steve

[scottb]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I went 1/4", sticky side down on the windshield seal. $1.99 window foam tape at Lowe's. Pffffft - noise gone.

But you have 1/4" Lowes foam on the top of your windshield!! I'm sure that looks "great" (NOT) when you have the top off.

Someone else mentioned Dan Pechtel. If you're having trouble with wind noise and/or need the front seal, he's the man to talk to. Vintage Porsche Parts and Targa Tops for Porsche.

[prebordao]

I looked at photos and i think my seals are ok and problem lies in the top and maybe the latches. They're from the older type, not roller.
As i had 1/4 foam lying around, did a quick test and seemed to improve a bit. But have to try with 1/2, seems a better fit.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by scottb

But you have 1/4" Lowes foam on the top of your windshield!! I'm sure that looks "great" (NOT) when you have the top off.

Someone else mentioned Dan Pechtel. If you're having trouble with wind noise and/or need the front seal, he's the man to talk to. Vintage Porsche Parts and Targa Tops for Porsche.

Well... I can't see the top edge of the windshield when I'm driving. Like an ugly motorcycle - can't see it when your riding it. I'll post picture tomorrow - it was a quick fix that worked so well it just became part of the landscape. I agree the targa top is the place to put it for cosmetics.

This top was recently redone by Dan for the PO. It could stand some debugging and, now that it's regular top-off time, I should get around tuit.

[Hydrocket]

I'd still like to see a photo of where you affixed the weather strip to the targa....

[Luc Bernier]

Pics please !

[Jdub]

I use a bicycle tube, cut lengthwise to form strips, and use Fast Tack weatherstripping glue to adhere it to the top (front) and into the curl of the rear seal to cut out the noise. I also apply NAPA silicone-based grease to all areas that touch, front and rear. It is amazing how much noise it reduces.

I did rebuild my top by myself, using parts from DanP. I also NEVER fold the top - the results of bending the top at those two points 1/3rd in from either side is easy to see on other Targas. The material is overstretched and never comes back. I "break" the bars, but only enough to get the top behind the seats just as described above.

BTW, loose door seals benefit mightily from this same treatment. Tuck the tubing into the folds of the existing seals cinches the door right up. I have also always recommended that stored cars should have their doors shut to the first click, and the targa top as well. There is no point in crushing the seals over a winter when you can let them relax without pressure.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Jdub

I also NEVER fold the top ... I "break" the bars, but only enough to get the top behind the seats just as described above.

Ditto

[Mister Moo]

Pathological targa top folder here. I bought the car to use it. I really appreciate the fold-to-compact element when convenience dictates. Besides, after a lifetime in the textile industry I know where to get materials for not-insane prices and I have no fear of ripping fabric apart, making patterns and getting cloth to fit; and, WTH, at 61 years old I'll probably crap out before the top does. Cars Inc did a fine job on the PO's refurb and I'd like to USE their work rather than attempt to preserve it for eternity.

I will use mine reasonably and report back periodically on how fast it craps out. I'd say it has been operated a couple of dozen times since the refurb and still looks like new. D'uh - nothing to report. Cleanliness vs. abrasion and UV exposure, most often the deciding factors in vinyl/fabric longevity, ought not to be overcome by elongation or collapse on internals. I would guess that top-stretch will be less evident than base-material breakdown. The original spec foams and burlap weren't the greatest for lifetime service I will endeavor to keep the top clean (especially before folding) and regularly dress it with UV-inhibitor. We'll see where this goes over the next few years.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by scottb

But you have 1/4" Lowes foam on the top of your windshield!!

Photo as promised. The gray line was a 30-second, $1.39 quick fix for a long ride home. Although the seal never moves (and always works) I could have put it on the targa top leading edge; hindsight 20/20.

Quiet Factor - 9.0
Aesthetics - 6.2
Permanent Effect - 0.0 (in place 3-months but peels off without affecting the seal)
Urge to do something different - 4.0 (I have bigger fish to fry)