996>>>>T-TOP....

Has anyone had experience with NCE, newport Convertible Engineering? Thinking of asking them for a quote to convert my 01 C4 to T-TOP.

I would never change the structural rigidity of any car that wasn't designed for t-tops or convertible.

not sure if that is a fully baked idea ...

If you aren't pulling our chain and are actually serious, you should've bought one of these instead... But I have a feeling this is a joke, so

No, not a joke. And some years ago I did look into a 300ZX and an NSX, but I'm 6'2".... Since I have no plans to race the car, other than a few FAST laps at Daytona in early Feb. of 05, I'm not overly concerned about loss of rigidity especially since NCE addresses that issue in the conversions to convertibles. And speaking of that, factory rigidity, I had to have an aircraft welder weld the cracks around the rear torsion bar mounting points on my 78 911 Targa about 10 years ago.

Yup, easy. Just sell your C4 and buy a Targa or Cab. Hey presto!

In my most humble opinion the 911 (ALL) cab version is just plain BUTT UGLY with the top up and not very pleasing to the eye top down.... and it rains quite a lot here. Porsche should abandon the current Targa model, it doesn't quite do the job, the cockpit just doesn't seem as "open" as the old Targa. Not much benefit over the sunroof in the coupe.

Not saying I would do this (especially since I drive a Cab...) but if you do the conversion, can you post some pics? Thanks!

Yeah, post the pics......... Yeah Cabs. You either love em or hate em. In my most humble opinion I love em. But know what you mean about rain. We don't get any of that here in the UK thankfully. BTW: what's with the problem of being 6'2". I am 6' and I sit in my 996 and have loads of head room. Certainly another 6 inches between my bald bonce and the roof liner.

6'2" pertained to the NSX and 300 ZX suggestion, the NSX especially.

I didn't mean to imply that it was a bad idea and I wasn't necessarily referring to the cars performance when I mentioned altering the cars rigidity. I was more concerned about the car rolling over. If you do go ahead with it I would opt for a roll cage of some sort. You did mention that this place takes all of this into account, but my money is on Porsches crash testing proven re-enforcement methods, versus an aftermarket shops projected re-enforcement methods. Stay safe. Nazz

Frankly, if I somehow manage to roll this car over then I probably deserve whatever results. I quite firmly believe, also, that a "weakened" overhead structure would still subtstantially outperform those nutty devices that are supposed to protect the cab driver in this event.

FWIW, I'm wholly in the camp of those who say "go buy a cab or a targa". Even if you did manage to get a decent t-top install done (which I can't imagine), the resale of your car would be near zero.

Resale......??? my wife says given what we paid for it, and considering just the INSTANT depreciation, she will keep it for my casket.

Well then you'd better make sure the T-top is water tight

The roof panels are a pain in the a$$. One-touch top down sun is the only way to go.

Although you may not be thinking about resale value today, at some point you may. The other RexreacerX makes a great point, where do you put the tops when off the car? Ultimately your choice of course, but you asked for opinions. Has the shop you are talking to ever done a 911? If so, ask if you can speak to the customer.

A T top conversion never looks good and there are always problems with water leaks and additional wind noise. I can understand on a Mustang or Camero, but please do not do this to a Porsche.

Starting point.... I have owned a 1978 911 Targa since about 84 of which I am very pleased. Don't drive it very often so it's mostly in "storage" until my grand-daughter turns 18. And yes, the Targa top does leak and definitely creates more wind noise but not any more so than would a cab. As far as storage if I pop it off on the road when the trunk is full it rests nicely folded on the back seats or open simply slid down behind the rear of the front seats. I would expect a t-top would be in two pieces and stow in the trunk.

an after market t top for a 996 is nuts! get a lexus sc 430 if you don't care about preformance

If you read my early posts about the SC you will find I think of it as ALWAYS butt ugly.

i agree it's not pretty but it is comfortable, fast and reliable--besides it's hard to see it when you are driving!

Hi wwest, I was serious, if you do this, please post some pics!

With the t-top conversion, is the roof glass or vinyl like on the older 911 targas? As to t-tops, my wife and I had a 300ZX with t-tops for about 3 years and I think we took the tops off about 4 times. We'd go to Cape Cod each summer and the first day there, drive about 15 minutes to our favorite beach with the tops off, and then put the tops back on for the rest of the vacation. As to leaks, we never had any. But, the roof had water channels and 2 water drains on each side that emptied into somewhere outside the car, like you have with a sunroof on any decent car. Also, these little wind deflectors popped up when you removed the tops. Overall, it was very well designed, but I doubt any aftermarket installation will be as well thought out and executed. Say, what's the cost?

Wouldn't cutting holes in your roof de-value your car?

I would expect glass or lexan panels.