Hello and a techy question, GT4 Convertible ? Options

[carlosfandango]

Hi, some of you guys may know me from Celicatech / GT4OC / Celica Club UK / TOC etc etc.

I test drove a ST205 a couple of weeks ago and have a unusual question, perhaps its been discussed here before?

its been on my mind for a while, a St205 and ST202 Convertible modification.

using the st205 as the project car and getting hold of a crash damaged cabby to molest and take bits off.

I cant find any info regarding chassis strengthening on the st202 cabby. I know that my convertible was sent from Japan to germany in coupe form and converted by a german coachbuilder, they did all the gen 4 convertibles for the european market and differ from usa version, our hood is manual and has a targe top.

i'm assuming the st202 vert left japan as a convertible and need to know what was done to the chassis.

any ideas?

This post has been edited by carlosfandango: Mar 31, 2005 - 11:43 AM

[lagos]

no offense to any vert owners, but i could never understand why anyone would want hight hp in a vert. to me the whole idea of a vert is to cruise slowly and enjoy the scenery.
in a fast car i want more protection from having a roof and maby even a roll cage.

[shid]

no offense to any vert owners, but i could never understand why anyone would want hight hp in a vert. to me the whole idea of a vert is to cruise slowly and enjoy the scenery. 
in a fast car i want more protection from having a roof and maby even a roll cage.
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Actually lagos, the best times I have in my car are when I drive fast enough that the wind from the road cleans the inside of my car for me. No more loose paper, etc.

[blu94gt]

I think that it could be a fun project. The only thing tho is there is going to be a lot of chassis strengthening required beyond what the convertible already has. The convertible was strengthened for a FWD setup, and the AWD will put even more torque and twist on the reduced frame.

I don't understand the comment about putting the convertible's hood on it? That didn't seem to make much sense...

As for the overall project, the car is going to weigh a lot more when you're done, and probably lose a LOT of handling ability.

I've been thinking of caging my car and chopping the top to a Supra-style targa piece. I've been drawing it up and all and I think I could make it work fairly easily.

[carlosfandango]

The only thing tho is there is going to be a lot of chassis strengthening required beyond what the convertible already has.  The convertible was strengthened for a FWD setup, and the AWD will put even more torque and twist on the reduced frame. 

no, its not swapping the 3sgte and awd into the convertible, its chopping the top off the st205 and fitting the roof to it. so the strength would already be in the st205 chassis for twisting and a mid section roll cage would be used.

am i not being clear?????????

i'm staying at a friends in May for the Japfest UK track day - i'll look at her st202 convertible when i'm there.