Question for Targa owners

[rmani]

Did a search, didn't find the answer i'm looking for, so please bear with me. First off I've noticed everyone saying the 95& 96 nsx's are a bit slower than the 91-94s. However I have an brochure from 05 when the targa first came out, in it they remarked that the targa was a mere 70lbs extra over the coupe, and didn't hamper performance at all. In fact they recorded some really quick times matching that of the coupe. So I'm wondering is there really a noticeable difference in performanace from racing both side by side.
secondly how does the targa affect topo end with the roof off? has anyone ever topped their car out with the top off? with the roof on is the top end affected at all? Thanks to all who can help answer my questions.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by rmani:
However I have an brochure from 05 when the targa first came out, in it they remarked that the targa was a mere 70lbs extra over the coupe, and didn't hamper performance at all. In fact they recorded some really quick times matching that of the coupe. So I'm wondering is there really a noticeable difference in performanace from racing both side by side.

I'm sure you mean the brochure was from '95. But if you have an '05 brochure, we'd love to see it.

I have the brochure for the '95 NSX-T (designated item E4507, bottom right of the inside back cover), the one page flyer for the '95 NSX-T, and the brochure for the '96 NSX (item E4607) and I don't see any remark about only 70 pounds of weight savings over the NSX Coupe. Perhaps you are confusing this with the difference between the five-speed NSX-T (3142 pounds) and the automatic NSX-T (3208 pounds)?

The five-speed '91 NSX Coupe weighed 3010 pounds (curb weight). By '94 this had increased to 3020 pounds, due to the changes (wheels, passenger airbag, etc). The '95-96 five-speed NSX-T had a curb weight of 3142 pounds. The '96 NSX Coupe (there was none in '95) weighed 3047 pounds, with the 27 pound gain over '94 probably due to some shared components with the '96 NSX-T, such as the thicker side rails. Thus, depending on how you look at it, the '96 NSX-T weighed 95 pounds more than the same-year NSX Coupe, and 122 pounds more than the '94 NSX Coupe.

The '97 six-speed NSX-T weighed 3164 pounds, and the '97 six-speed NSX Coupe weighed 3069 pounds, so in '97, also, the NSX-T weighed 95 pounds more than the same-year NSX Coupe.

According to Bob Butler's analysis, a difference of 100 pounds will create a difference of 0.16 second in 0-60 times and 0.16 second (same difference) in 1/4 mile times.

Originally posted by rmani:
In fact they recorded some really quick times matching that of the coupe.

I'm not aware of any tests of the '95-96 NSX-T that equalled those of the quickest tests of the '91-94 Coupe, such as 0-60 in 5.03 (Sports Car International, 12/90) to 5.2 (Car and Driver, 9/90) or the 1/4 mile in 13.47 (SCI, 12/90) to 13.7 (Motor Trend, 12/90).

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 24 February 2003).]

 

[Nsxotic]

As far as top speed with the roof off, it's the same but you can't get over 110-120mph without getting blown to death. Top on 160 is a breeze but without the roof, I never go over 110.

 

[rmani]

thanks for the replies guys, nsxtasy you're correct I did mean 95 sorry for that typo. The part where I read that the targa gained 70lbs wasn't actually in the brochure, but it was in a copied article out of sports car international that they sent with the brochure. Unfortunately I don't have it handy but i'll take a look at it when i head back home and have it accessible. Thanks for the information though, very helpful.

 

[Lud]

Originally posted by rmani:
secondly how does the targa affect topo end with the roof off?

Top speed will be lower because there is more drag with the roof off. Exctly how much lower I do not know. But that is not really important because...

has anyone ever topped their car out with the top off?

You do not want to drive over about 120 MPH with the roof off. It gets really windy! Removing the top is for cruising around at double-digit speeds.

with the roof on is the top end affected at all?

No.