GAHH top for Boxster

[98Boxster98]

Originally Posted by K80Kid

Is the BAS top available in the US?

- Mike -

Yes, but I don't think that they have sold alot of them through their distributor yet. I think the initial tops delivered to US customers came directly from the factory. The North American BAS distributor is in Blaine WA and North Vancouver, BC and has concentrated on concours-level trim work on Jaguars thus far. I called Bart at the US distributor recently and he's checking on some details for me. You can find more information at www.bas-international.com and www.basjaguartrim.com.

P.S. I'm sorry if this hijacking the original GAHH top thread.

[steve evans]

Good to here your comments as always, we've pre-empted your concerns about the rear window detaching from the material in a crash. BAS would not sell a top that had not been tested. Our top with window was tested extensively at MIRA in the UK and passed all crash tests with flying colours. As for fitting instructions, we are currently working on a video disk that will become avaliable shortly and be issued free when you buy a top.
Also, what is a MAF sensor and how often do you need to change it?

[Tool Pants]

I was going to make a DVD on how to install a top. But Steve is going to beat me to it.

Still waiting for the call so I can take pictures of a GAHH top in the service position. In the meantime there are things that can be done to the clamshell to get more working room. In post #20 I mentioned the mechanic pulling back the clamshell on a GAHH car. That is what I did for the second picture.

Both pictures are my car and I have a plastic window, so the pictures are merely examples of what you can do to get more access to the engine compartment. I took these pictures long ago to show how to fix the top drive. If I had known I would be using them someday for another purpose I would have removed the engine lid.

[98Boxster98]

Originally Posted by steve evans

Good to here your comments as always, we've pre-empted your concerns about the rear window detaching from the material in a crash. BAS would not sell a top that had not been tested. Our top with window was tested extensively at MIRA in the UK and passed all crash tests with flying colours. As for fitting instructions, we are currently working on a video disk that will become avaliable shortly and be issued free when you buy a top.
Also, what is a MAF sensor and how often do you need to change it?

Steve -

It's always appreciated when a supplier/manufacturer takes time to fully discuss their product. As far as your MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor question, I'm probably the least qualified amongst the members to tell you specifics about it so I will point to other references:

Primer material
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h34.pdf

Boxster specific material:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=659#

MAF failure typically occurs when the Boxster has tens of thousands of miles. Non-OEM air filters like K&N are known to induce premature MAF sensor failure (oil contamination.) So for the vast majority of owners, it's not a yearly maintenance task. However, when it needs to be done, you don't want any obstructions (hint.)

I look forward to hearing from Bart, your North America distributor, and from you, letting us know when your installation video disk is available.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Before we get too technical, my reference to the MAF Sensor replacement was simply to illustrate how some seemingly straightforward maintenance tasks get pretty complicated if we have to "separate the Top from the Lower Bow and reattach and adjust it" as indicated in the email reply RandallNeighbor received from GAHH.

To my mind, this reply from GAHH merely glossed over the issue. I have installed several Convertible Tops in my day, and the one thing common to them all was that they are not made to be continually removed and reinstalled. Aside from the Hassle involved, this will surely shorten the Life of the Top as well.

I suppose that if one didn't perform one's own Maintnenance, this matter may seem trivial. But, this is one of the very reasons I own the Car - I like working on my Cars - it's a very important part of the Hobby to me. For those of you not familiar with doing your own Maintenance, working on a Mid-Engine Car raises Maintenance to a whole different level and expands one's vocabulary tremendously on it's own, without having to essentially remove and reinstall the Convertible Top in the Bargain. I don't know if there is an adequate answer, except maybe sticking with the God-Awful Plastic Window...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[BadBoyS]

Help!!!!!!!!

I'm looking at buying a new top. I have looked at this tread and the pictures 100 times now. I see tool pants and 98box pictures and cant really tell the difference in space for the service position. Is There??????????????? I'm hoping to put another set of eyes on it. Thanks as always

[RandallNeighbour]

While I have no personal experience with the glass top, I have read and been told that there is a little difference in how much service space is missing with the glass top... but it will not be enough to stop me from buying one in a couple of months!

With a little work (from what I've read just 20 minutes) a mechanic can unhook a couple of things on the glass top and achieve the full service position for the top IF NEEDED. A vast majority of the work is done from under the car.

Go for it!

[RandallNeighbour]

I recieved this from Rob, a GAHH employee... I asked if we could go in on a group buy and here's his answer...

First of all, I appreciate the feedback. Feel free to contact me at rb@gahh.com with questions or concerns. We are always interested in new product ideas.

GAHH is unique in a couple of ways. Domestically, we sell our replacements tops and seats primarily to trim shops. This helps us understand our customer better. Nearly 50 percent of our sales are orders that we process and ship that day. We have 45,000 square foot facility in North Hollywood and extensive depth of expertise in pattern making. We maintain a bay simply to test fit new and existing products, so we can continue to maintain our quality and provide better technical support to our trim shops.

Since few private vehicle owners are skilled at installation, we typically encourage vehicle owners to work with our recommended trim shops in their local area. We have over 5,000 trim shops that work with our products. We encourage the car owner to contact GAHH at 800-722-2292. We provide a special code to the car owner based on the promotion. We will recommend a trim shop that is proficient in installing our tops and guarantee that the trim shop will provide a 5-10% discount on the top AND installation to the vehicle owner when they present that code. GAHH has a discount structure in place with the trim shops for these transactions. We monitor the transaction to ensure that the car owner is happy. Forum members can use code 986F0105 to receive their discount. I think this will be more effective that trying to organize a group buy.

We will sponsor the site. We don’t have any banners prepared, but we will put something together shortly.

Thank you,

Rob Bresnahan
GAHH