Targa Brace

TOO RUF · TOO RUF's Garage

Has anyone tried the Brace that goes from the back of the Seat belt to the floor. Not exactly sure how it mounts. I think I saw this in Tweeks maybe. It was suppose to stiffen chassis flex by triangulating the back of the car with front.

johnnyo200 · 12-10-2002, 10:35 AM

Let me be the first to write and say I've never heard or seem anything like that before. I went to the Tweeks web site, but that seemed kind of pointless. Didn't find anything there. You aren't talking about the cross bar that enables you to put in a 5-pt harness are you?

Leland Pate · 12-10-2002, 10:46 AM

Let me be the second to say that there is in fact a targa brace whic can be bought from our host, Pelican.

As to how well it works, I have no idea. here's a picture.

gary-o · 12-10-2002, 10:48 AM

Our host sells them (item # JM-TB0011) they sell for $169.25, there is a picture available for those who would like to check it out.

TOO RUF · TOO RUF's Garage

Found it I guess it was pelican.
Tighten up your 911 Targa with these diagonally mounted strut style braces. The polished Aluminum bars mount using the seat belt bolts in the lower side sills and the B-pillar. By tying the two sections together the body will be much stiffer and quieter. The air foil shaped bars look good and do not interfere with the seat belt operation. Its easy to install and remove, these bars will give you a quieter ride then you have ever known in your Targa and add a more positive feel to the steering and brake response.

johnnyo200 · 12-10-2002, 10:49 AM

I stand corrected. Looks like an expensive seat belt tensioner to me.

TOO RUF · TOO RUF's Garage

I guess i was a little solw

TOO RUF · TOO RUF's Garage

Anyone tried it yet?

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

The bars are made by a guy here on this board by the name of JMPRO. I thought the concept was interesting, but when I asked for more details and metrics about how much it did, I got flamed. From a similar discussion on Rennlist, it would seem that this minute amount of triangulation wouldn't do much for you. One shop owner pmailed me about a procedure he uses to stiffen targas which involves welding plates on the inner, lower sills, in the corners of the door openings. It involves removing all of the carpet, and heating and beating the plate to form to the shape, then welding it.

The Brey-Krause targa harness bar has similar drop-supports as the bars you mention. I had the BK harness bar in my targa, and didn't notice any difference in stiffness on the street or on the track.

YMMV, no warranty express or implied, please consult a physician if you think you might be pregnant.

island911 · 12-10-2002, 12:58 PM

HERE is a good 3-page thread on this.

old_skul · 12-10-2002, 01:18 PM

I'd like to hear from someone who's installed that chassis brace on their car. While I'm convinced that a coupe is the faster car through the corners due to higher torsional rigidity and less weight up top, anything that can be added to a Targa to make it stiffer is interesting.

I honestly don't see how a brace like that could make a bit of difference. Perhaps combined with a rollbar? Or maybe a harness bar?

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

This is from my earlier hunting & e-mail:

"..The esteemed Mr. Tyson Schmidt responded that purchased several chassis stiffening kits consisting of plates precision formed to fit over existing internal rocker boxes. They're simply welded on top of the existing sills. It was said that they make a considerable difference.

He mentioned Euro Tek. I called them, and they will make more such kits @ $285/pair. They want at least three orders to do it. If anyone has any questions, please contact Euro Tek at 714.549.3211.

So. Given the quite low price and substantial benefits, are there others who'd be interested in ordering such kits? I ain't buying three so I can use one...."

12/10/02: I'm still interested. It sounds like a fine thing to do, particularly as it will stave off metal fatigue that causes older cars to get sloppier etc. Let me know if we have two more interested parties.

tomt · 12-10-2002, 07:22 PM

Speedware Motorsports makes a harness bar specifically for Targas that includes a similar set of modestly triangulated supports as the Pelican model, but is married to a single piece harness bar with brackets for the down tubes. I can snap some photos if anyone is intersted.

It may not help terribly much, but I think somewhat better than the ones pictured here. B-K makes a bar with supports for Targas as well.

I would have glady purchsed mine from our sponsor, but I specifically wanted the integrated harness bar as well.
Rgds,
TT

ccandgc · ccandgc's Garage

Id like some pix....my wife dosent like just lap belts-gotta have at least 4 pt.

How easy was the install? Lots of drilling? Im looking for no major type of bars.

tomt · 12-10-2002, 09:15 PM

Here's a couple of pics. As you can see, I have both a harness and factory belts. I only use the harness for track days.

The bars use factory mounting points (no drilling), but have longer (grade 8) bolts to accommodate both the factory belts and the harness.

The harness bar was specifically designed to mount the shoulder belts this way -- many are not! Make VERY sure that your bar was designed for this type of mounting before doing this!! Many bars are designed to have the belts loop over and anchor to the floor.

The down tubes mount to a bracket that uses the factory outboard seatbelt mount.

The install took a couple of hours, but was really easy. I had the guys at the shop give it the once over just to be sure that I had bolted everything in properly. I'm pretty happy with the look as well.

I put in Konis and a strut bar at the same time, so I really can't say if this modification really did anything to stiffen the chassis independently.

Recaro SRDs are next! Unless something breaks first that is...
Rgds,
TT