you guys think a hardtop would stiffen up the chassis as well?

 

I'm assuming you're asking whether a removable hardtop on our cars will increase the stiffness of the chassis. I'd say not by much. The hartop is attached at four hard points, and two of them are the windshield clamps for the ragtop. When you install the hardtop, you have to put a silicone grease along the seals all around, otherwise the top will squeak. If you can get a squeak, then you've got movement. Sure, the hardtop connects these four points, but the hardtop is no roll cage.

 

It is 44 lb of thin aluminum, glass, and liner.

Perhaps if it were titanium or steel.

 

i do feel a little difference with the hardtop on, but not much!

 

Absolutely NOT!

First of all it has nothing to do with the material of the hardtop.

The hardtop is not a part of the chassis.

The chassis is designed for the car to be a convertible.

No major forces should be transferred to the hardtop.