Carbon Fiber Roof!!

ianstaley · 08-10-2010, 11:24 PM

Hi guy's this is from the UK, I bought my targa toped MK3 In Germany TAX free, and I still have it here in England, I once had the idea to lighten the roof, over here it was made of thin steel, in the UK the targa top wasn't sold other than a persoonal import vehicle. I had had the car for a year when I went to work for Toyota in Holland as a freelancer for a while, I got into some heavy talks with Supra specalits engineers there at the time over weight reduction. There answer was that the removable roof constituted about 60% of the strength of the car, which is why the don't recomend exceeding 100 MPH unless you have strut bars, front and rear. As an alternative they did sugest that the roof coul be cut and fitted with a sunfoof, this they said (I didn't do it so basicly dont know if it was true or not) that the sun roof aftermarket would shave a few pounds off the roof but because of the way they were fitted then it would stiffen the roof too even if the glass was removed? Ian

Supra Saiyan · 08-11-2010, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianstaley

I got into some heavy talks with Supra specalits engineers there at the time over weight reduction. There answer was that the removable roof constituted about 60% of the strength of the car, which is why the don't recommend exceeding 100 MPH unless you have strut bars, front and rear. As an alternative they did suggest that the roof could be cut and fitted with a sunroof, this they said (I didn't do it so basicly dont know if it was true or not) that the sun roof aftermarket would shave a few pounds off the roof but because of the way they were fitted then it would stiffen the roof too even if the glass was removed? Ian

You nearly shattered my hopes and dreams with that one.. 60% is a lot! However, I'm going against the weather man (Toyota mechanic) on this one. I'll get the umbrella but I won't wear the rain boots (Get front/rear struts). I just gotta have that carbon fiber roof (FOR ONLY $200)! It will go perfectly with my black mk3 project car..

Sometimes, weather men.. Are wrong! If it where a weather woman.. I would probably listen.. Well, at least "Watch".

ianstaley · 08-11-2010, 09:55 AM

I am not saying you shouldnt do it, just be aware that the roof section provides a lot of fore/aft stiffness. if you have a front and rear strut brace it should provide a lot more stiffness. An dplease don't forget that carbon fiber is lighter and stronger than steel. I am sure that those companies that make these things have considered this and engineerd the roof section to accomodate this. to be honest I think it look's the dogs bollo*k's. have fun and go

get it. Ian

Green7mgte · 08-11-2010, 09:19 PM

ian is absoluty correct.. much more vibration in the cockpit with the top off and the car is more prone to "wobble." thats what happends when non roadster designed cars, chop their tops off.. your left with a feeling of something in the support is missing. cause it is. the car is less ridged. but its really not a big deal. I dont have the bars across my targa. but i don't drive above 90 either.. 80 if im paying attention.

cre · 08-12-2010, 01:44 AM

YEAH!!!! Rice ruleZ!!!

Ugh... anyway, the roof doesn't take 60% of the vehicle's torsional load... I don't buy that for a second. It does take a significant amount though and to offset that additional bracing must be added elsewhere... there's a reason the targa models weight ~150lbs more than hard top models.

The floor pan has a lot of extra material.

Supra Saiyan · 08-12-2010, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cre

YEAH!!!! Rice ruleZ!!!

Ugh... anyway, the roof doesn't take 60% of the vehicle's torsional load... I don't buy that for a second. It does take a significant amount though and to offset that additional bracing must be added elsewhere... there's a reason the targa models weight ~150lbs more than hard top models.

The floor pan has a lot of extra material.

Like I said before.. I ain't going with the weather man this time. He said it would rain yesterday and look!! 90o clear skys! I think I will carry the umbrella (front and rear sway bars). I WILL NEVER WEAR THE BOOTS (especially since they are made for walking)!

cre · 08-12-2010, 01:55 AM

WTF are you talking about? Not speculation. Just a fact. Targa's have a lot of wiggle to them and close to 150 extra pounds of reinforcement to make up for it....

... weatherman? WTF is wrong with you.

Sonyps307 · 08-12-2010, 01:58 AM

I don't care if the targa is 150lbs more with top off the supra looks bad ass

08-10-2010, 11:24 PM	#1
ianstaley Stock Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pontefrac Posts: 24	Hi guy's this is from the UK, I bought my targa toped MK3 In Germany TAX free, and I still have it here in England, I once had the idea to lighten the roof, over here it was made of thin steel, in the UK the targa top wasn't sold other than a persoonal import vehicle. I had had the car for a year when I went to work for Toyota in Holland as a freelancer for a while, I got into some heavy talks with Supra specalits engineers there at the time over weight reduction. There answer was that the removable roof constituted about 60% of the strength of the car, which is why the don't recomend exceeding 100 MPH unless you have strut bars, front and rear. As an alternative they did sugest that the roof coul be cut and fitted with a sunfoof, this they said (I didn't do it so basicly dont know if it was true or not) that the sun roof aftermarket would shave a few pounds off the roof but because of the way they were fitted then it would stiffen the roof too even if the glass was removed? Ian __________________ Bored old git that loves his toyota's I have two one a Supra MK3 with a targa top the other is a brit Camry V6. Last edited by ianstaley; 08-10-2010 at 11:27 PM.

08-11-2010, 09:55 AM	#3
ianstaley Stock Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pontefrac Posts: 24	Roof I am not saying you shouldnt do it, just be aware that the roof section provides a lot of fore/aft stiffness. if you have a front and rear strut brace it should provide a lot more stiffness. An dplease don't forget that carbon fiber is lighter and stronger than steel. I am sure that those companies that make these things have considered this and engineerd the roof section to accomodate this. to be honest I think it look's the dogs bollo*k's. have fun and go get it. Ian __________________ Bored old git that loves his toyota's I have two one a Supra MK3 with a targa top the other is a brit Camry V6.

08-11-2010, 09:19 PM	#4
Green7mgte Supra Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Green-Ohio Posts: 1,297	ian is absoluty correct.. much more vibration in the cockpit with the top off and the car is more prone to "wobble." thats what happends when non roadster designed cars, chop their tops off.. your left with a feeling of something in the support is missing. cause it is. the car is less ridged. but its really not a big deal. I dont have the bars across my targa. but i don't drive above 90 either.. 80 if im paying attention. __________________ 92 Ma71 7mGTE Auto. SafcII Supra FAQ Supra MKIII FAQ Classified Section guidelines :

08-12-2010, 01:44 AM	#5
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	YEAH!!!! Rice ruleZ!!! Ugh... anyway, the roof doesn't take 60% of the vehicle's torsional load... I don't buy that for a second. It does take a significant amount though and to offset that additional bracing must be added elsewhere... there's a reason the targa models weight ~150lbs more than hard top models. The floor pan has a lot of extra material. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

08-12-2010, 01:55 AM	#7
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	WTF are you talking about? Not speculation. Just a fact. Targa's have a lot of wiggle to them and close to 150 extra pounds of reinforcement to make up for it.... ... weatherman? WTF is wrong with you. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

08-12-2010, 01:58 AM	#8
Sonyps307 Lexus & 550's Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 526	I don't care if the targa is 150lbs more with top off the supra looks bad ass