Bolting down the Hardtop
11-08-2004, 02:42 PM
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Bolting down the Hardtop
Ok so in the Bay Area we've had a rash of Hardtop thefts and in looking for a possible solution to the problem someone suggested that you bolt down the front instead of using the latches. Apparently this is something the miata racers do when they track. Has anyone here, that runs a permanent hardtop, bolted the top down. If so what brackets did you use?
Since hardtops are not generally taken on and off daily, bolting it down(using theft resistant bolts) may be an effective theft deterrent. Curious to find out feasibility of bolting a hardtop down.
Of course those of you that do it for tracking does it make a performance difference for you? Thanks!
Figured I'd post in Racing and Comp since most people who would have bolted the HT down would be here.
Since hardtops are not generally taken on and off daily, bolting it down(using theft resistant bolts) may be an effective theft deterrent. Curious to find out feasibility of bolting a hardtop down.
Of course those of you that do it for tracking does it make a performance difference for you? Thanks!
Figured I'd post in Racing and Comp since most people who would have bolted the HT down would be here.
11-08-2004, 02:54 PM
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Most of the bolted hardtops in R&C are going to be a bolted to a flange welded to the cage. Basically you'd have remove the striker base plate and the striker assy on the hardtop and then make a custom plate to go between the two.
For street use I'd imagine getting the gap at the windshield header would be tricky but key for leak resistance and eliminating wind noise.
For street use I'd imagine getting the gap at the windshield header would be tricky but key for leak resistance and eliminating wind noise.
11-08-2004, 04:10 PM
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Actually making the brackets is fairly easy to do and get them to seal correctly. For most race classes you are NOT allowed to bolt the hardtop to the cage. I made some pretty simple brackets for Rylan's and Will's car we built their cages.
-tony
TC Design
-tony
TC Design
11-08-2004, 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by TC Design,Nov 8 2004, 05:10 PM
Actually making the brackets is fairly easy to do and get them to seal correctly. For most race classes you are NOT allowed to bolt the hardtop to the cage. I made some pretty simple brackets for Rylan's and Will's car we built their cages.
-tony
TC Design
-tony
TC Design
CF?!?! 
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. thats much better. I was worried.
11-08-2004, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by krazik,Nov 8 2004, 06:31 PM
Tony did make me a pink set tho.
OOOoooooh...can he make one in fuschia....cause that'll match my interior then 