Targa brace

[theWeezL]

I started this thread once before but wasnt ready to share the info at that time, so Im kinda redoing it.

Ok so some of you know Im having a targa brace made to fix that squishy shimmy feeling you get when you have the top out. I should be getting it this afternoon. I am going to try to get pics taken before I prep and paint it (future ones will be powdercoated or chromed). These should be priced under $100 even for a short run, though it really just depends on the cost of powdercoating or chroming.

Im really excited about sharing this with the community and I will try to get approval for a group buy on these, but in the meantime, Im interested to hear peoples opinions on the idea. If you own a hardtop please state that in your responce as I will dismiss your opinion entirely (ROFL, just kidding...Im still interested in hearing your opinions too)

In case you have no idea what Im talking about, the brace will bolt on to the stock locations of the Targa top and connect the front windshield to the roof portion via 1'' tube steel bars. I designed mine a little different than the so called "X-Brace" in that mine is connected via two "U-shaped" bars creating more of a t-top look and feel.

So there ya have it...all opinions on the subject are welcome, and feel free to point out any flaws in my logic.

[sprigmo1]

I have a set of Targa Bars from years back from the S.O.G.I. group buy! They work well. Post pics of yours, would luv 2 C them!

[Isphius]

I may buy some when i get my turbo. I have a ? for targa owners tho...Is the car noticeably more flexible with the top on than the hardtop version? and does the targa top include any internal bracing or is it just a panel?

[theWeezL]

I actually cant tell your from experience, but from what I read, the targa is no more flexible as long as the top is on. The top itself doesnt have any cross corner braceing that I can tell, but the window sill portions are very stout, and there are thicker portions at the front and the back. Basically its a big rectangle with sheet metal over it from what I can tell.

[rnoswal]

I have a targa supra and I was surprised at how much flex there is in the body. I prefer driving with the top on because of the difference. Every little bump really can be felt as the chassis flexes. It is not so much the sensetivity of the car but the way the car twists. You can see it in the way the windshield shakes compared to the rest of the body.

If the stiffener really works then I would like to get one. I think the car should be driven with the top off..........and look like the top is off. Maybe a strut bar would help some, but I don't think that is where the problem lies.

Russ

[Isphius]

Mk3s dont have struts, so your twisting doesnt lie there, And strut bars are completely useless on these cars. But yah anything connecting the windshield to the rest will def help out. Even just a little bar, In the middle, Like a t-top, as weezl suggested.