Guest Anonymous Posted October 1, 2002 Share Posted October 1, 2002 I received the latest Tweeks catalog last night and found this brace on page 7. Since I have begun my convertible conversion on a 2+2, I had wanted to install a brace like this. My only option seemed to be a welded- in support to conform to the inside wheel well that would connect the strut tower to the rocker box. This Tweeks type brace may be a more graceful solution. This would permit me to retain the existing interior, without compromise. I think that this brace may be of some benefit to most Z cars. I would be interested in hearing all remarks about this idea. I am sorry about the poor picture, my scanner has taken a dump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 Boy, I need to get in this business. I see them in my other Porsche catalogs also. They are specifically "designed" to reduce flex in the 911 Targas. Won't question their function, but.... 4' section of aluminum tube - $15 (4) heim joints/jam nuts - $40 L & R hand threaded taps - $40 (if you do not already have them) 10 minutes labor and sell that puppy for $199! Buy 8' lengths of tubing and the joints in bulk and you are ready for a Swiss bank account Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted October 3, 2002 Share Posted October 3, 2002 They are pretty much vertical. I seriously doubt they do much but lighten your wallet, give you a new toy to show off to your friends, and add some weight. They'd have to be more diagonal across that area to do anything, unless there is some inherent weak spot in just that area, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 Structural "grace" from starting point A to ending Point B does not fill in much of a gap in the overall requirement.. Your topless 2+2 may need more clumsy structural re-inforcement welded in spread out to the firewall and beyond coming all the way from the rear tower struts. The originator of my re body kit told me that I needed no reinforcement for my topless Tomahawk. Rather than risk a swayback condition, I reinforced heavily full force from aft to stern. Actually the 2X2 inch square tubing is hardly noticeable welded along side inside rocker panels in the **** pit. You maybe able to incorporate the skimpy Porsche style brace betwwen the rocker panel square tubing and the rear towers. Tie it all together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 No question about the absurd cost of items like this. I have always suspected that some so called "exotic" car owners have more $ than ability to build or source something like these $199.00 brackets. I have no doubt that a pair of braces like this could be purchased for $29.99 by some other name, like the Honda braces that are known to fit Z cars, but are dirt cheap when compared to "Z" car parts. So far as the intention of these brackets, these braces are supposedly fabricated to reinforce the rocker to rear wheel well connection. The Targa having no roof connection to the firewall, could probably use some additional reinforcement. I agree since that they are almost verticle, they may just be redundant hardware. I have been thinking that a brace that is less verticle, and connects the rocker box to the rear of the Z car may not be a waste of effort or expense. Especially in the case of a car with the roof removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 I have been working on this project for some time now. My progress has been interupted by "other" things. I hope to get back into this in, a full time manner soon. Here are some pictures of my progress, which include a new floor rail, floor, and rocker tube. I had to remove the inside and center skins of the rocker boxes due to the amount of cancer found. Someone else my have just crushed the car for scrap, but I will trudge on. Lots of welding, lots of steel, lots of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 Looking very good!! Nice and neat with the new sheetmetal!! BTW, what part of Philly are you in? I used to live in Newtown (NW of Philly). Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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