Targa top bracing, Is this possible? Options

[jamara]

I've been considering various means of stiffening the chassis of the 914 from the firewall area forward. It seems most people prefer the clamshell method on the outer longs, some prefer the inner long/firewall bracing of our very own engman, or some of course prefer the ever-true rollbar.

What about welding in cross bracing right beneath the targa top from one corner of the windshield frame diagonally across to the other side on the targa rollbar, creating an X? I know a very few, very rare 914's had a solid, welded in top with no targa. Wouldn't welding in bracing be similar? I know it wouldn't look as pretty with the targa top off, but I am just curious if anyone has done it.

Besides, I am honestly not a huge fan of the targa anyway and I seldom take mine off. Actually, in 7 months of owning my car as a daily driver I have never driven with it off and I live in So Cal. (I know, why even own the car, right? (':D', 'smid_4')
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif))

However, this is not a question about my strange anti-targa neurosis, whatever the nature of it might be (agoraphobia, perhaps?). Rather, it is a technical question about bracing, so...anyone have any ideas?

Last thought... The only reason I can imagine that this would not serve to profoundly improve body flex is that the windshield frame is not robust enough to provide support like this and would potentially start flexing itself. But then, why would Porsche install a few solid metal, immovable targa's on a few of their really high performance cars?

Thanks for your wisdom!

James

[Twystd1]

I remember the first car I got a ride in a teener with the Engman kit.
Huge differance. As i rode in this car before and after the install.

it isn't race car tight. But much better than stock

My thinking is that a cage is by far the best way to go if you want rigitity.

A 914 without a cage is kinda like a shoe box with the lid remomed. It twists.
Put the top on the shoe box and the box becomes very rigid.

It's all about cosmetics and dollars VS rigitity.

Your call.......
regards,
Clayton