Anyone running an MX5 Plus Tallboy bar under a hardtop?

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:07 pm

Any fitting issues?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:22 pm

No issues, however it would be worth putting a piece of high density foam on the top of the bar in case it rubs.

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 3:23 pm

Mitch has it fitted . It rubs however

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 8:33 pm

Thanks guys. Worth it from what I have heard for the added rigidity, otherwise not fussed (although hoping for some extra insulation from the sun, with my 'heater-always-on-issues' right now) .

I am putting an NA lid on an NB8B. That works right?

Postby **mrpham** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:18 pm

I've got this combo and no real issues with fitment, it is true that it rubs slightly. I used some double sided tape to attach some foam on the hardtop where it touches and hasn't caused any problems since.

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:19 pm

mazmad wrote:Thanks guys. Worth it from what I have heard for the added rigidity, otherwise not fussed (although hoping for some extra insulation from the sun, with my 'heater-always-on-issues' right now) .

I am putting an NA lid on an NB8B. That works right?

Are you suggesting that the hard top will increase your chassis rigidity? There's no evidence at all that it helps in that respect, and I've seen posts from those involved in the development of the car who said they tested it and there was no significant difference. It might stop a few rattles (or it might make a couple more). Will give you some shelter but the car will heat up if you leave it parked in the sun and you can't just drop the top to get rid of that hot air.

The NA hard top will fit on an NB8B, yes.

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 7:32 am

With respect to rigidity - that is what I have been told, yes. Some drag benefits too.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:57 am

mazmad wrote:With respect to rigidity - that is what I have been told

The hardtop is attached via 2 clips at the front, that do have some play in them by design.
There's then two more at the sides, exactly the same.
Then there's two rear catches that again, have quite a bit of play.

Then you also consider that a hardtop is only fibreglass, and can be flexed by hand a good 10mm either way.

Any chassis rigidity increase is going to be a placebo effect, generally because it's a bit quieter with the top on.

There are also people out there who swear that there's more chassis rigidity when the softop is up.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 9:03 am

hks_kansei wrote: There are also people out there who swear that there's more chassis rigidity when the softop is up.

There are other people who swear when they can't get the adjustment just right on the hardtop to stop the wind noise

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 9:46 am

Basically a lot of swearing going on then. Sounds about right.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:56 am

Increased rigidity with a HT fitted makes no sense.
Other than maybe wind noise, you get more noise than you eliminate.
(noisy with the softtop, noisy with the HT, just noisy)
Cooler in summer for sure with the HT. Wind down the windows and the heat is gone in a flash.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:01 am

Rocky wrote:Increased rigidity with a HT fitted makes no sense.
Other than maybe wind noise, you get more noise than you eliminate.
(noisy with the softtop, noisy with the HT, just noisy)
Cooler in summer for sure with the HT. Wind down the windows and the heat is gone in a flash.

Pretty much.

The softop is awful in summer, the black vinyl just acts like a great big radiator of heat.