maintaining integrity, floorpans and bracing Options

[Verruckt]

I have started to cut out my floorpans now. While cleaning up tar and other gunk, I found that the center brace seems to be "lightened" somewhat. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif)

(IMG:http://www.verruckt.org/914/floorpan.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.verruckt.org/914/floorpan-center-brace.jpg)

So my question is...

I do plan on puting in one of Engman's kits to stiffen the car, and more than likely a rollcage as well. Of course when doing that I would/should have bracing in to keep the doorgap measurments. Should I stop now and not do anymore cutting? I'm curious how much the floor factors in to the integrity of the car...

I would like something like these two by Chris Foley, or Tony at TC Design, but Chris is slammed with work, and Tony doesn't have a 914 around to measure from.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-2-1116326414.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.sirandy.com/pix/914/09.01.2002/andy2.jpg)


I know I will need these eventually, but do I need them NOW, and does anyone have some they would like to part with??? Any thoughts on this? I'd hate to stop my progress and put this on hold. I still havent gotten my welder, because I don't have my replacement panels. And there is no need to buy those until I upgrade the service in my house to 200 amp so that I can run a compressor AND a welder without making the wife and kids shut everything off in the house. Talk about "while i'm in there" (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif)