engine top end service cut out
 

Does anyone did modify inside cabin compartment to gain entry to top part of a 911 targa engine for maintenance work, I am thinking of cut out from behind the seat to do works on the oil cooler and other stuffs, and reinforce the steel plate cut out by putting steel channel to edge to prevent it from wrapping, any suggestions will help..

that's insane ...

I have had my Targa 12 years, only had to take the engine out once to do studs , and then it was only 2 hours to get out. The rest is accessable with a little imagination . I would NEVER consider cutting into the body for that.

Besides the fact that will give you no access to the oil cooler really. That can be got at from a 2 inch drop and jack stands.

this is a really bad idea

Most would consider that a compromise to the structural integrity

Really bad idea.

You could probably pull the motor 2 or three times in the same amount of time you would spend cutting up your valuable car.

Partial engine drops are extremely easy as well, so for many smaller items you can gain extra space to work.

People have alluded to the problem with this but let's be more specific:
A Porsche (like every other modern car) has unibody construction which is basically a form of monocoque. You have stressed sheets that form the structure of the car.

A simple example of a monocoque can be demonstrated by using a shoe box. Tape the lid on and grab it by both ends and twist. It has a large resistance to twisting. Now take the lid off and try twisting it the same way. It will twist right up into a spiral. All the rigidity is gone.

Cutting out sections of a unibody car destroys the strength of the structure. The area you are talking about cutting is right in the middle of the most highly stressed portion of the car. The torsion bars are transferring the load of 60% of the car's weight as a twisting load in that area. If you cut out a panel there, I would expect there to be a large quantity of chassis flex and I would expect the panel(s) around the hole to start to crack or tear until they fail catastrophically.

So, yeah, it's a bad idea.

to all in responding to my posting, I can sense all of the responses to my posting that you all are classic vintage passionate owners who cared and love your cars and I thank you for the advises and will do the same as you have suggested.

People with good common sense......
 

mchan,

They are not all classic vintage passionate owners. These people just happened to have good common sense.

Tony

Wouldn't you have to pull the motor to do this? :D

Engine removal...........
 

911 Rod,

You could cut and remove the metal section behind the rear seat with the engine installed using an electric shear cutter. However, if you are using an oxy-acetylene blow torch which could burn the wire harness, rubber, plastic parts, etc. engine removal is necessary. But why would someone thinking straight would even consider it?

Yes. I've seen a picture of a car with a big section removed to gain access to the backside posted in this forum a while back. Interesting concept but did not fly.

Tony

Remember the guy who cut out part of the floor pan to allow the trans shifter to clear so he could remove the trans by itself?
Same idea....
Bruce

You just clearly described the design shortcomings of the 911 Targa and Cabriolet (and how they behave, mid-corner, at speeds above about 15mph) - nice! :D

Now that I think about, my firewall in the front is a PITA. It would be much easier to hook up my clutch cable if I removed it.