So I am debating buying a hard top, but am just trying to decide if it is worth taking the plunge and dropping that kinda $. I can get a bunch of seat time for the cost of one. For those who have had both soft top and hard top on track how big of an "upgrade" is one? Also is there any OEM style hard tops that will meet OEM for NASA and are of decent quality?

I am still pretty conflicted as I love the top down on the streets, on the track it is a bit distracting.

 

I bought a hard top so I can gut the soft top. I thought it would be quiet but maybe the replica I have isn't.

You can always remove the hardtop if you want and still use the soft top

 

I went OEM hardtop and removed soft top. Just recently, I traded my OEM hardtop for a replica+cash. I'd get something cheap in case you damage it on track. All I could think is $3k+ down the drain because of a little off...

 

What kind of little off are you talking about? The kind where your car ends up resting shiny side down? I think you'll have much bigger problems to worry about rather than just your $3k hardtop at that point.

To the OP. I bought the a replica mugen hardtop and hated it - horrible fitment. Bought an OEM top almost immediately after. The car is much quieter and feel about as close to a coupe as you can get in a convertible. I don't care for convertibles and don't care for top down, so I immediately gutted my softtop and bolted my hardtop in. I'm one of those guys that wish the s2000 was sold in a hardtop version (aka boxster vs. cayman).

I can't really speak to the performance gain. I don't really think it's that big, especially if you don't have big aero to support it. Unless you're running a massive GT wing (voltex type 7 or larger), front splitter, diffuser, etc. etc. I don't think the aero benefits of the hardtop will do much versus the softtop. That said, it's been said that the aero profile of the s2000 is better with the top up rather than down, and if you have any sort of wing, definitely keep the top up.

 

I haven't seen any numbers for the S2k, but I know the Miata's typically run a couple seconds a lap faster at Roebling with a hard top. I don't know if the difference is as much with the S2k, but I suspect it is. The guys on here that are doing Time Attack or club racing likely have more info.

 

Gosh, I never thought of it like that... Maybe I made a mistake.

 

I like convertibles...but yes...the windshield is like a huge plate...the air behind it is a turbulent low pressure high drag area. In SCCA E/Production the windshield is cut off; at that point it is probably less of an issue although the cage would still cause some drag.Some of the rear wings are high enough that they may be clear of the disturbed air, but a top is probably significantly better.

 

I removed my softop so I could put a proper rollbar in. I didn't mind doing that for a stronger safety system. That being said I love taking my top off at the track when the weather permits, because I track for fun, not to chase lap times.

I feel like you would have to be at a decently high level of consistent driving for it to make a difference. Like other said, it IS better at the end of the day.

 

Imo it's a performance penalty unless you plan on gutting out the soft top to get back to stock (near) weight. It's funny because I have never been a convertible guy before the s2000. I mean come on, cut off a perfectly good roof and replace it with a rag??? As I have Lived with the s2k, the soft top is an added dimension of fun. At the track I always run top up and trick myself into thinking I have a coupe.

Two other things, the prices are ridiculous and with the hard top on they do not drive/sound/nvh like a coupe. I have driven in three hard top cars, two oem and one aftermarket. The aftermarket had a lot of air noise, one oem was about as quiet as top up but had less air noise at high speed. The other Oem was creaking and had more gasket noise or something. It was definetly louder than my soft top car. That could be an instillation issue but who knows.

The one good thing about the hardtop, is it is commodity pricing and very stable. As long as you don't damage it you will/can get your money back.

 

I'm not sure of very many track organizations that will let you run with the softtop up on track.
I'm also not sure I would get into a convertible with the softop up, in the event the car went over, it wouldn't be pretty.


OP, I'm not sure there is a noticeable difference between the softtop up and an OEM hardtop, but this weekend one of our fast guys saw a difference of 3+mph between turn 16-17 without his mugen hardtop on.