I did a search and found numerous threads on replacing the trunk floor, but I want to remove my trunk floor permanently. I like the idea of having easy access to the motor/trans.

Any stiffening required? Cross braces? Car will eventually be a track car that is driven on the street occasionally.

Cut away, it's not structural. Might want to save the piece in case you want to put it back in.

Like this...

After cutting it out, I stood on the tranny cross member (225 lbs) and bounced slightly while a friend watched for flex. He said he couldn't see any flex. So I think it's plenty strong.

I disagree. While you may bounce merrily away on the crossmembers, you're not subjecting them to any angular stress, or any kind of dynamic stress. I also think the accessibility thing is BS. (sorry, that's how I see it) There's NOTHING you need to access that removal of the trunk floor would make easier.

The Cap'n

It does make access to the transmission breather vent and upper starter bolt easier! Can't think of anytime that either were a major priority though.

DEFINITELY cross brace it. 225 lbs "bouncing" on the cross menmber is a far cry from the twisting it will do going down the road

It's a little "swiss cheesy", so I thought I would take it out and see how I like it before going through the replacement process.

Going through the same thing with my car right now. I will take out alot but the tranny brace as in the above pic but I will have support bars from shock tower to shock tower and from shock tower to tranny brace, both sides- left and right. But, all the bracing will be done low enough for me to still use the trunk to store my roof when I want to go topless. Everything will be done in appropriate sized tubing so if I ever need to go through tech for my runs at Road Atlanta I will pass without question. Better to do it once and do it right then to have to pay twice for crap work and stupid planning.

Ian