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YOUR RESEARCH996 Cab, better performance with or without hard top
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difference
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I noticed it, but didn't even think about it at first, I took the top off, and a few days later I was thinking to myself, man this car really seems like its faster for some reason....i thought it was because I got an oil change, but then I thought about the fact that I took the top off....a few days later I put the top back on and sure enough it was the difference.
996 Cab, better performance with or without hard top
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Leading evidence: 'difference' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'difference' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Use more fuel (granted though this will be minor)' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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In theory, you are adding some weight to the car, so it should use more fuel (granted though this will be minor).
996 Cab, better performance with or without hard top
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I noticed it, but didn't even think about it at first, I took the top off, and a few days later I was thinking to myself, man this car really seems like its faster for some reason....i thought it was because I got an oil change, but then I thought about the fact that I took the top off....a few days later I put the top back on and sure enough it was the difference.
996 Cab, better performance with or without hard top
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Hi
I am about to go on a 4 day 3000km drive in my 996 cab (12 other cars joining in the drive). It is going to be cold and wet the whole trip so the roof will never be off but dose the car perform better with or without the hard top on??
I am leaving in 2 days
Yes it is definately quieter.
Yes it safes fuel
but is the extra weight compensated by better aero or by the roof being stiffer?
OR am I looking at a 2% thing that on the roads makes no differance?
Also is the hard top safer in an accident.
Why would you say it saves fuel? In theory, you are adding some weight to the car, so it should use more fuel (granted though this will be minor).
I think you'd be hard pressed to find a difference in performance characteristics with or without the hard top. And on the road, you are not going to utilize the performance features of the car to the limit (that should be on the track)!
I think the key factors whether to put the hard top on is cold weather and noise. If either of this is not to your liking, then put the hard top on and get on the road. Me - I like listening to the sound of the engine, so I wouldn't put a hard top on at all!
[QUOTE=rajeshr;7562520]Why would you say it saves fuel? In theory, you are adding some weight to the car, so it should use more fuel (granted though this will be minor).
QUOTE]
Yes extra weight but is is more streemline and less drag.
There was a guy on this forum that had done numerous long hall trips and had measured the differance over the trips.
[QUOTE=Brenton;7562544]
How do you know that the hardtop is more streamlined than a soft-top in the raised position? Have you seen or read about wind tunnel tests?
One owner's anecdotal reports are inconclusive and perhaps even unreliable.
having owned soft top many years ago I am surprised anyone would not jump at the chance to drop the top........I see plenty of cars on nice days with them up and just think "why did you even buy it"
so go with the ragtop and every chance you can.... drop it and fly your flag baby !!
I would agree with quieter - and the mileage is good news...
my point is its spring and the "chance" to tak ethe top off is high - If I were "couped" up all winter... I would have the top dropped as much as possible (thats why ya have it
)
Quite a bit quieter with the hardtop on, whether around town or on the highway. This is a combination of engine noise and wind noise. Hard top believe 10%+ better gas mileage, unless you are including time with the top down where the aerodynamics are not as good as with the top up or with the hardtop.
If it is not raining and you have heated seats definitely no hardtop. Even with the temps in the 50's we often put the top down, the windscreen up, the windows up (I know it looks silly) the heated seats on and the heat turned all the way up. With a jacket on it is actually pretty comfortable.
My .02, since you asked...
Depends on your definition of 'performs better'. Based on experience with my old roadster, I'd say your handling and acceleration from a stop will be better with the top off because there is less weight on the car and particularly less
high
weight. Whereas your top speed will be better and your steady state cruising fuel economy will be better with the top on because there is surely an aerodynamic advantage.
All in, it's mostly theoretical and marginal. Me, I'd leave the hard top at home. I don't care about a mpg or two, and I wouldn't anticipate any top speed runs... so having the option of dropping the lid if the weather is nice is kind of priceless. I certainly miss it some days.
its faster with the top off, it seems like the car gets up and goes more. I noticed it, but didn't even think about it at first, I took the top off, and a few days later I was thinking to myself, man this car really seems like its faster for some reason....i thought it was because I got an oil change, but then I thought about the fact that I took the top off....a few days later I put the top back on and sure enough it was the difference.
Hi Guys
thanks for the posts and advice
I am going to go with out the hard top, did the trip last year with it on but it did rain for the whole 4 days, this year weather forcast is fine for 3 of the days and mainly fine fro the other.
Temp is going to vary from 40 - 59 F
should be fun
will post a pic when back