hardtop recommendations

sfkjeld · 08-29-2009, 03:39 AM

Looking for a hardtop for this winter. First, can't get over how expensive they seem to be. Next, what are the trade offs between OEM, Mugen, and the myriad of other aftermarket tops? The only issues I can imagine are fit (no rattling), finish, and weight.

Thoughts?

Java Junky · 08-29-2009, 05:19 AM

Totally from jus' observation sf, 'cause even though I run Stewie all year, I won't deny myself the 6 second go-down'a Stewie's top and buy'a hardtop.
But'z slick'z the OEM unit looks . . any expanse'a eye-pleasin'ly curved aluminum whut'z godda be man-handled on'n off izz jus' heart-wrenchin' dentz waitin'a happen.
If I hadda go with'a hardtop, I'd go carbon-fibre.

RL1924 · 08-29-2009, 06:16 AM

Ok... So Id start off by saying all depending is it just a winter hardtop? I run my mugen replica over the winter and its got its quirks sqeek there little rattle there, but they can all be worked out but when i take it on and off sometimes in the summer do I actually do it... no. If your not set on looks I would go with an OEM just seems a little more simple comes with the hardware comes painted. And you may be able to scoop one up for around 2k. Are you sebring or silverstone?

Jim21680 · 08-29-2009, 06:34 AM

I don't want to hijack this thread, but what's involved with the hard top going on? Does the vinyl top need to kept down the whole time? Or up, as a "hardtop liner"? Maybe even removed completely?

RL1924 · 08-29-2009, 06:37 AM

It needs to be down, The oem has a liner mugen does not, You can remove it if you want to go 100% hardtop and loose the weight of the soft top and motors. As for installing it its the same front catchers for the soft top and two brackets on the side of the hardtop that bolt onto the car.

johnmcs1 · 08-29-2009, 06:45 AM

Mugen does look better, and comes with all the extras needed, ie fitting kit and glass. But it does need to be painted and costs $$$$.
If you like the OEM one you could get the fitting kit from someone like hardtopguy.com and try to pick up a second hard top somewhere to save yourself some cash. You can always buy the OEM one complete from them too.
(Try breakers yards and the forums to see if anyone is selling.)
For carbon tops again Mugen or Seibon are worth a look. Seibon is a little more expensive than a FRP Mugen and is lighter than the carbon Mugen. Don't know about the quality of the Seibon but I know the Mugen fits grand.

John

desmo4 · 08-29-2009, 11:43 AM

There is a guy on S2kCA selling a Mugen FRP hardtop.

Jonathan

sfkjeld · 08-29-2009, 02:03 PM

My car is Silverstone, tho I could live with black, maybe white. I owned an old SL Mercedes years ago with a removeable hardtop. I thought it was great for winter in San Francisco. I put it on in Nov, off in April. That's the plan here. The Mercedes top was a work of art. Not the slightest squeak or rattle. Has a sort of rachet latch that ensured it was held down tight. Of course, it weighed a ton.

I think that is prob the most important to me now too. Squeaks drive me nuts.

Guess I'll hang on for an OEM.

Dmaye · 08-29-2009, 03:51 PM

if u go full time hard top u can drop an easy 200lbs is everything is taken out. I read all softtop parts weigh in at a total of 270ish

sfkjeld · 08-29-2009, 05:31 PM

Interesting. I am top down all summer here and would never let that go. But between Nov to April, I could. I wonder how much work it is to remove and install the convertible top? Unloading 200lbs would be great.

Dmaye · 08-29-2009, 07:33 PM

probably a huge pain but 200lbs isn't a joke either! ET calculator on 2900 @240hp is 14.08 , but 2700 @240 is 13.75

Jim21680 · 08-29-2009, 08:32 PM

Strange...if all the soft top crap weighs 2-300 lbs, how does the CR only loose about 100 lbs total? Does that shaped lid weigh THAT much??

Dmaye · 08-29-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim21680

Strange...if all the soft top crap weighs 2-300 lbs, how does the CR only loose about 100 lbs total? Does that shaped lid weigh THAT much??

well the Cr has a more supports and braces to keep everything tighter. I could be completely off base with those number because I haven't remove mine ad weighed everything, but I've read several places just he softtop and rails are 78lbs

sfkjeld · 09-04-2009, 03:05 AM

Found a stock 2005 top for my 2002, 600mi away. Ideally, I would want to drive back with it mounted. Is it practical to install the mounting brackets before I leave, with the expectation that the top can be mounted without issue?

Also, once I have the hardware installed, does that preclude me from using the softtop when the hardtop is off? Or do I have to keep switching hardware whenever I mount or unmount the hardtop?

RL1924 · 09-04-2009, 05:02 AM

Hardtop uses the same catchers in the front as it does on the softop so thats not a problem... The rear brackets will stay on the car and the other half on the hardtop.. My non oem hardware hits the soft top when coming up so i have to remove them. Im 99% sure OEM you can just leave on there. And as long as the guy is willing to show you real quick where to mount the brackets it will be no problem for you to mount it before driving back should only take 10-15 minutes.

fhinner · 01-12-2010, 02:56 PM

I have the opportunity to get either a Seibon or Honda OEM hardtop for a great price, so I was looking thru the posts to determine if I need to remove the softtop (what would be a major pain).

Quote:

Originally Posted by RL1924

It needs to be down, The oem has a liner mugen does not, You can remove it if you want to go 100% hardtop and loose the weight of the soft top and motors. As for installing it its the same front catchers for the soft top and two brackets on the side of the hardtop that bolt onto the car.

Is this true, I can just install the Hardtop over the installed softtop?

Thanks

MutantCheese · 01-12-2010, 04:29 PM

Yes, the soft top just needs to be down as stated.

fhinner · 01-13-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MutantCheese

Yes, the soft top just needs to be down as stated.

Thanks for the clarification MutantCheese.

CherryPopper · 01-13-2010, 01:09 PM

i also have a mugen rep it works great! and my next project will be to gutt out all the soft top parts for weight reduction...so when summer comes around i wont mind taking off and on the hardtop

only 2 latches and 6 bolts w0ot!!!

Dmaye · 01-13-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CherryPopper

i also have a mugen rep it works great! and my next project will be to gutt out all the soft top parts for weight reduction...so when summer comes around i wont mind taking off and on the hardtop

only 2 latches and 6 bolts w0ot!!!

put the guts on a scale so we can see reduction amounts

08-29-2009, 03:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
sfkjeld Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 252	hardtop recommendations Looking for a hardtop for this winter. First, can't get over how expensive they seem to be. Next, what are the trade offs between OEM, Mugen, and the myriad of other aftermarket tops? The only issues I can imagine are fit (no rattling), finish, and weight. Thoughts?

08-29-2009, 05:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 6,402	Totally from jus' observation sf, 'cause even though I run Stewie all year, I won't deny myself the 6 second go-down'a Stewie's top and buy'a hardtop. But'z slick'z the OEM unit looks . . *any* expanse'a eye-pleasin'ly curved aluminum whut'z godda be man-handled on'n off izz jus' heart-wrenchin' dentz waitin'a happen. If I *hadda* go with'a hardtop, I'd go carbon-fibre. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

08-29-2009, 06:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jim21680 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 572	I don't want to hijack this thread, but what's involved with the hard top going on? Does the vinyl top need to kept down the whole time? Or up, as a "hardtop liner"? Maybe even removed completely? __________________

08-29-2009, 11:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
desmo4 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 1,314	There is a guy on S2kCA selling a Mugen FRP hardtop. Jonathan __________________ MY 2000 Mugen Air box, Headers, Exhaust, ECU, Pressure Plate,LSD, Radiator cap NZ Dampers, Thermo SW and Thermostat. Samco intake pipe and radiator hoses, Swift sway bars, Stillen rotors w/ M-tech extreme pads. BBS JDM Forged Wheels.w/ Potensa Re=01R's Nextgear Intake manifold gasket, SPA gauges, Alpine IDA-X001,KCE-350Bt BT Adapter, Focal 165 K2P speakers, Phoenix Gold ZX475Ti, Recaro Profi SPG w/Sparco 6 pt

08-29-2009, 03:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dmaye Super Dooper Senior Newbi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 656	if u go full time hard top u can drop an easy 200lbs is everything is taken out. I read all softtop parts weigh in at a total of 270ish __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." - H.L. Mencken

08-29-2009, 06:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
RL1924 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,136	Ok... So Id start off by saying all depending is it just a winter hardtop? I run my mugen replica over the winter and its got its quirks sqeek there little rattle there, but they can all be worked out but when i take it on and off sometimes in the summer do I actually do it... no. If your not set on looks I would go with an OEM just seems a little more simple comes with the hardware comes painted. And you may be able to scoop one up for around 2k. Are you sebring or silverstone?

08-29-2009, 06:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
RL1924 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,136	It needs to be down, The oem has a liner mugen does not, You can remove it if you want to go 100% hardtop and loose the weight of the soft top and motors. As for installing it its the same front catchers for the soft top and two brackets on the side of the hardtop that bolt onto the car.

08-29-2009, 06:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnmcs1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 101	Mugen does look better, and comes with all the extras needed, ie fitting kit and glass. But it does need to be painted and costs $$$$. If you like the OEM one you could get the fitting kit from someone like hardtopguy.com and try to pick up a second hard top somewhere to save yourself some cash. You can always buy the OEM one complete from them too. (Try breakers yards and the forums to see if anyone is selling.) For carbon tops again Mugen or Seibon are worth a look. Seibon is a little more expensive than a FRP Mugen and is lighter than the carbon Mugen. Don't know about the quality of the Seibon but I know the Mugen fits grand. John

08-29-2009, 02:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
sfkjeld Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 252	My car is Silverstone, tho I could live with black, maybe white. I owned an old SL Mercedes years ago with a removeable hardtop. I thought it was great for winter in San Francisco. I put it on in Nov, off in April. That's the plan here. The Mercedes top was a work of art. Not the slightest squeak or rattle. Has a sort of rachet latch that ensured it was held down tight. Of course, it weighed a ton. I think that is prob the most important to me now too. Squeaks drive me nuts. Guess I'll hang on for an OEM.

08-29-2009, 05:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
sfkjeld Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 252	Interesting. I am top down all summer here and would never let that go. But between Nov to April, I could. I wonder how much work it is to remove and install the convertible top? Unloading 200lbs would be great.

08-29-2009, 07:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dmaye Super Dooper Senior Newbi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 656	probably a huge pain but 200lbs isn't a joke either! ET calculator on 2900 @240hp is 14.08 , but 2700 @240 is 13.75 __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." - H.L. Mencken

08-29-2009, 08:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jim21680 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 572	Strange...if all the soft top crap weighs 2-300 lbs, how does the CR only loose about 100 lbs total? Does that shaped lid weigh THAT much?? __________________

09-04-2009, 03:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
sfkjeld Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 252	Found a stock 2005 top for my 2002, 600mi away. Ideally, I would want to drive back with it mounted. Is it practical to install the mounting brackets before I leave, with the expectation that the top can be mounted without issue? Also, once I have the hardware installed, does that preclude me from using the softtop when the hardtop is off? Or do I have to keep switching hardware whenever I mount or unmount the hardtop?

09-04-2009, 05:02 AM	#15 (permalink)
RL1924 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,136	Hardtop uses the same catchers in the front as it does on the softop so thats not a problem... The rear brackets will stay on the car and the other half on the hardtop.. My non oem hardware hits the soft top when coming up so i have to remove them. Im 99% sure OEM you can just leave on there. And as long as the guy is willing to show you real quick where to mount the brackets it will be no problem for you to mount it before driving back should only take 10-15 minutes.

01-12-2010, 04:29 PM	#17 (permalink)
MutantCheese The Cheeziest! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Orleans Posts: 685	Yes, the soft top just needs to be down as stated. __________________ 2008 S2000 New Formula Red (K&N FIPK; AUT cooling plate; Berk Ceramic coated SS headers; Berk SS HFC; Tanabe Concept G SS exhaust; Hondata toda Reflash; OEM front lip; Megan strut bar; Eibach Prokit) 2006 Civic Si NBP w/hfp kit (Too many mods to list here) 2008 CR-V EX-L w/Nav Enjoy your midlife crisis...you only get one! Visit: www.GNOunderground.com

01-13-2010, 01:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
CherryPopper TakeMyAdvice,ImNotUsingIt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monterey Bay, CA Posts: 183	i also have a mugen rep it works great! and my next project will be to gutt out all the soft top parts for weight reduction...so when summer comes around i wont mind taking off and on the hardtop only 2 latches and 6 bolts w0ot!!! __________________ "Challenged by many, Equal to few"

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