By adding a hardtop on a vehicle, would that increase the body rigidity of the s2000?

Comparing 2 s2000's with the same mods, but the only difference being the hardtop vs soft top up, which would outperform the other? (disregarding the driver)

Does adding hardtop sacrifice weight?

In terms of track times, who would have a better time?

Does adding a hardtop make any difference to the vehicles performance, rigidity?

any tips, info, links, reviews are appreciated

~Nick

 

Only negligably. So in short, no.

Weight issues aside, the only difference would be in aerodynamics. Since both the hard and soft top are of similar shape, again the difference would be negligable. The hard smooth surface of the hard top would be a benefit over the flexible bumpy surface of the soft top though.

Of course this is assuming it's an OEM hard top. The Mugen hard top would seem to be a better performer aerodynamically, and the Spoon was of course designed with better aerodynamics in mind.

Yes. Adding anything to your car will increase weight. You can offset this weight by removing the soft top entirely, as well as any interior panels associated with it.

This is going to depend on multiple factors, the most important being weight. Obviously a true track-prep car is probably going to have a hard top with a gutted interior in which case you have both a more aerodynamic car as well as less total weight. If you're talking about a street car with a hard top added, it will weigh more and will, in effect, be slower.

You're really asking the same question multiple times here; see above responses. Adding a hard top will not provide you with any useful chassis rigidity, though.

Check out the new "The Better Official Hard Top Thread:"
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=606011

- Justin

 

I would imagine that soft top would yield a slightly lower top speed / worse aerodynamics. The soft top bounces / flexes / stretches when you drive at high speeds (as evident by the rear glass moving a bit at high speeds when you look at the rear view mirror. This creates a bit more turbulence, but I'm really not sure how big of a difference it would make. I don't think anyone has tried testing that and quantified that, except maybe for Honda when they designed the CR ...

Also, the hardtop should add to body rigidity, at least I think Honda said that somewhere on the CR press release (if I remember correctly, or was it a Spoon thing?). Too lazy to dig it up now ...

 

Pretty much the answers are above. A couple other things to think about. Yes, you could save some weight removing the softtop/motors, but you'd replace it with a hardtop's weight. Plus, the hardtop would cause your car to have a higher center of gravity. Probably negligible, but it's still there.

So....contrary to what many people are saying, this is what I noticed after I got my hardtop. I can usually turn into and go up my gf's driveway easily. After I got my hardtop, I could hear some creaking when I went up. Took a look outside once and one of my tires actually rose in the air during the turn!! Only suspension modification are Espelir springs, and they obviously never did that before.

 

I was surprised how much stiffness the OEM hardtop adds to the S2K. It is immediately noticeable. I was expecting little to no effect.

I thought the S2K was already fairly stiff for a convertible, but the extra stiffness added by the top does make a difference.

 

You can offset the weight of the hardtop by removing the spare tire and tool kit.

 

wow, thanks for the responses especially from JstnRyan.

stupid question...but would going hardtop be considered a performance upgrade? or more of a cosmetic/appearance upgrade.

 

More of a theft deterrent/appearance upgrade. It does get rid of the wind noise that occurs during highway driving. I love mine

 

I respectfully disagree. My car still has similar flex with the hart top in place.

 

they're best of both worlds.

i sold both of my hardtops, i'm an idiot