Anybody do it?
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Coupe bar on a targa
- Thread starter curtsr
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Are you trying to reduce body rigidity?
Temporarily, yes I suppose but not by design. I'm looking for options and am polishing a dull anodized targa brace currrently. Really curious if I can use a coupe brace temporarily while I work on the targa beace.
While on the topic- if I'm not happy with how the brace polishes out, any recommendations on targa braces?
Stmpo
Ross will give you whatever finish you want. And it's functional as well as looking good. I would give it an A- as far as an NSX part. Why the minus? Bend the steal vacuum lines down so they don't rub (learned the hard way) otherwise it's a great piece. I wouldn't hesitate to get one.
sent from my crappy cell phone.
sent from my crappy cell phone.
Not to go off topic but I just dremeled the bracket for those steal lines and have had zero issues.
No... I'm referring to the vacuum lines in the middle of the engine bay. The bar rests on top of them and rubbed a hole in them. They have to be bent down so it doesn't rub.
The bar does not rest on any of my lines. Maybe a difference from year to year. FYI, I have an '05. Either way, the bar STMPO bar is great and your modification, if needed, is easy. Great heads up for others to pay attention to. AFAIK, not all need the bracket on the passenger side modified as its not there on some years.
Nope, color will dictate the difference. Jim's is Red/Tan and so am I.
He's NA2 and I'm NA1, but color will be the determining factor here as in 1/4 mile times and top speeds. :biggrin:
The location of the vacuum lines are the same on all cars. Kwinkler, I would double check because unless you bent the lines down, the middle of the bar sits right on top of those lines.
sent from my crappy cell phone.
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My lines are angled down and I didn't do it nor do I think the previous owner did. I know not all years have the bracket on the passenger side so why would it not be plausible for other lines to vary slightly.
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Ditto... great part and firms up the targa very well with these mods on NA2:
I opted to tweak the aftermarket part than mod the OEM stuff, except the passenger bracket that holds two lines simply has to be cut off. Don't think earlier models had that bracket... someone with an earlier targa can confirm
I dremeled the RTSB "rounded notch" a bit wider for vacuum line clearance instead of bending the lines. Ross, I've wondered about placement of that notch ever since we installed the RTSB on my car.
Also noticed a minor dink in the alternator body, seems the engine moves enough under load that it taps the bar, my engine mounts have been checked and they are okay so its just normal loaded engine movement, dremeled the engine-side of RTSB in that spot for additional clearance.
To the OP - use a factory targa bar at least, the coupe bar won't do much for you.
My STMPO bar does not rub anything, and I did not bend any lines out of the way...just went out and checked it...clears everywhere...just bolted it on after loosening the struts a bit...very noticeable difference though in vibration from OEM...(positive difference of course)
13 posts into this and I still haven't gotten close to what I hoped would be an answer. I guess what I was looking for is this: Will I/ Could I damage the chassis by running a coupe bar on a targa for a short time?
Please note that I am a turbo car (LF) and make a little extra power and torque. I did notice that it seemed to wander a bit when I had it on I-75 today. Also when getting on the hwy a GP-GTP tried to do a fly-by/ fast merge onto the highway around me. I held in 3rd gear @ 6K rpm just in case so when he tried to throw all that gravel and crap onto my car by merging early I'd be in the right gear.
Sure enough he tried. I'm narcoleptic and am a little fuzzy on this but I dreamed that when he hit his I hit mine but mine wheelhopped at 55 mph, jumped a little sideways and shot away. And probably tossed all of the crap that he would have thrown up on me onto him instead...
Next!
Please note that I am a turbo car (LF) and make a little extra power and torque. I did notice that it seemed to wander a bit when I had it on I-75 today. Also when getting on the hwy a GP-GTP tried to do a fly-by/ fast merge onto the highway around me. I held in 3rd gear @ 6K rpm just in case so when he tried to throw all that gravel and crap onto my car by merging early I'd be in the right gear.
Sure enough he tried. I'm narcoleptic and am a little fuzzy on this but I dreamed that when he hit his I hit mine but mine wheelhopped at 55 mph, jumped a little sideways and shot away. And probably tossed all of the crap that he would have thrown up on me onto him instead...
Next!
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- 19 February 2008
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For the short term - you shouldnt damage anthing. Leave the top on the car though. I wouldnt pull any high g turns though..twisting will loosen up the chassis more than anything
Its the longer term that is a worry - the joints and spot welds need all the assitance they can get...
you'll be fine
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- 19 February 2008
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thanks man
After seeing the prices that targa braces bring I decided to strip the anodization from my old one and polish it out. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Basically from this to this:
Should I paint the inserts the same color as the valve covers, or black, or leave natural as is?
Should I paint the inserts the same color as the valve covers, or black, or leave natural as is?
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As is.
sent from my crappy cell phone.
sent from my crappy cell phone.
- Joined
- 19 February 2008
- Messages
- 1,532
I dont get it... A triangle is the strongest shape possible... I don't think that the "V" shape is even on the list of strong shapes...
Ima take a wild guess at this... your waiting for someone to mention it.. so you can say... I was waiting to put the last piece on cuz of ______________
If i'm wrong.. bro.. a triangle is the strongest shape. Put that last piece on there.
You have an aftermarket rstb - your post says "after seeing the price of aftermarket rstb's you decided to keep yours"..
Your bar is worth more used than the single piece dominant brace available that owners rant and rave about.
Ive been on prime way too long...
After seeing the prices that targa braces bring I decided to strip the anodization from my old one and polish it out. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Basically from this to this:
Should I paint the inserts the same color as the valve covers, or black, or leave natural as is?
Where is the other part of the bar that goes over the struts? This is like not having a strut bar brace at all correct? Maybe you should polish the couple bar and connect it with this bar and make it a complete triangle bar and call it a day :smile:
By the way, leave it natural. Looks better this way. To much paint is gonna make it look too tacky :wink: :smile:
Take the first picture coupe bar and connect to the second picture half triangle bar and you got yourself a Rear Targa Strut Bar :biggrin:
You might need some longer screw to hold it down and to make it happen :smile:
You might need some longer screw to hold it down and to make it happen :smile:
Just bite the bullet and get a triangle brace, I also rec STMPO. Be careful with the third gear pull, I put my car sideways looking at the underside of a semi trailer because of cold tires. Shift to 4th, you have plenty of power.:biggrin:
