Converting t-top to hardtop
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 2
From: Murfreesboro TN
Converting t-top to hardtop Has anybody done this before???
My thinking is all you'd have to do is weld in the upper metal piece that seals up against the top of the window and windshield. Then you just glue on a new composite hardtop piece.
I've always wanted a hardtop LS1 WS6 Trans Am, but good ole GM had to be some hardcore, t-top pimpin bastard, ramming them down your throat.
So do you think it would be easier(and cheaper) to buy a WS6 Trans am and convert the t-tops to hardtops, or just buy a hardtop Formula, and put all the Trans Am stuff on it?
And I know I'm going to get flamed on this, so if all you are going to do is post something hateful and non-constructive, STFU and GTHO.
My thinking is all you'd have to do is weld in the upper metal piece that seals up against the top of the window and windshield. Then you just glue on a new composite hardtop piece.
I've always wanted a hardtop LS1 WS6 Trans Am, but good ole GM had to be some hardcore, t-top pimpin bastard, ramming them down your throat.
So do you think it would be easier(and cheaper) to buy a WS6 Trans am and convert the t-tops to hardtops, or just buy a hardtop Formula, and put all the Trans Am stuff on it?
And I know I'm going to get flamed on this, so if all you are going to do is post something hateful and non-constructive, STFU and GTHO.
hmmmm... i think you'd be better going the frankenstien formula route rather than trying to jury rig a top onto a T/A. i've never much like the idea of cutting up a car or welding **** on to one that doesn't belong there. that's just me.
On ebay, I have seen a fellow selling the entire roof clip of a t-top Camaro to someone who wanted to convert a hardtop into t's. I'm not sure if you'd find a hardtop roof structure easily, but it's possible.
Originally Posted by AronZ28
Has anybody done this before???
My thinking is all you'd have to do is weld in the upper metal piece that seals up against the top of the window and windshield. Then you just glue on a new composite hardtop piece.
I've always wanted a hardtop LS1 WS6 Trans Am, but good ole GM had to be some hardcore, t-top pimpin bastard, ramming them down your throat.
So do you think it would be easier(and cheaper) to buy a WS6 Trans am and convert the t-tops to hardtops, or just buy a hardtop Formula, and put all the Trans Am stuff on it?
And I know I'm going to get flamed on this, so if all you are going to do is post something hateful and non-constructive, STFU and GTHO.
My thinking is all you'd have to do is weld in the upper metal piece that seals up against the top of the window and windshield. Then you just glue on a new composite hardtop piece.
I've always wanted a hardtop LS1 WS6 Trans Am, but good ole GM had to be some hardcore, t-top pimpin bastard, ramming them down your throat.
So do you think it would be easier(and cheaper) to buy a WS6 Trans am and convert the t-tops to hardtops, or just buy a hardtop Formula, and put all the Trans Am stuff on it?
And I know I'm going to get flamed on this, so if all you are going to do is post something hateful and non-constructive, STFU and GTHO.
It's not hard, but going reverse probably would be...
Here's your options, you decide:
Hardtop Formula:
Need a front bumper, ground effects, hatch and you're done.
Convert T-top Trans-am:
Need to find (or buy new, best option) a fiberglass hardtop roof (sail panels to windshield. Then put in the factory reinforcements (they go from the two points the t-tops lock, basically a hollow "bar" made out of layers of folded metal) and do it SO WELL that you can re-install factory hard-top weather stripping and a-pillars...
The fiberglass roof basically glues on, stick a hardtop headliner on and you're done...
I say if you're car shopping, get the Formula, if you already have the Trans-Am, go for it!
The work will be a pain in the @ss but you can probably sell your tops for the cost of the materials...
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 2
From: Murfreesboro TN
I'll talk to a body shop and get their opinoin.
The Frankenformula route would be expensive out the *** though. Front bumper, rear bumper, rear hatch, side ground effects, and a WS6 hood. Now I have to get all that **** painted, might as well just get the whole car resprayed(maybe a custom color). That sounds like a good way to blow $7,000 right there.
The Frankenformula might be a viable option to a guy who owns a bodyshop and buys a totaled hardtop Formula(how often would you come across one of those?)
The Frankenformula route would be expensive out the *** though. Front bumper, rear bumper, rear hatch, side ground effects, and a WS6 hood. Now I have to get all that **** painted, might as well just get the whole car resprayed(maybe a custom color). That sounds like a good way to blow $7,000 right there.
The Frankenformula might be a viable option to a guy who owns a bodyshop and buys a totaled hardtop Formula(how often would you come across one of those?)
SSU Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,857
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
W2W and Stenod have converted T-Top's to hard tops. Its a lot of work.
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02197.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02232.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02235.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02197.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02232.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02235.jpg
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, Texas
Originally Posted by DEMONBIRD
I was the first guy (on the boards) to do the t-top conversion (a LONG time ago) and have done a few since...
before
after
now....LOL
Originally Posted by RyanJ
W2W and Stenod have converted T-Top's to hard tops. Its a lot of work.
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02197.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02232.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02235.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02197.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02232.jpg
http://stenodracing.com/gallery/albu...5/DSC02235.jpg
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: somewhere that doesn't get snow
Rad shorts, dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
um you might be the first person to ever go from a hard top, to a t-top then to a vert
The Bull
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,578
Likes: 2
From: Grand Rapids, MI
The roof supports are something that you can purchase from the dealer for 15 dollars. Every car is made as a T-Top car and then they pinch weld the supports in. Door seals are also something that you can purchase. After that you have to fabricate a couple other pieces of sheetmetal. Then the top gets glued down after that. In the linked pics, we just set the top on the car. It's not mounted yet.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
DERTY,
Does Stenod Performance do the t-top to hardtop conversion? Are you serious about the two braces only being $15? How much does the composite roof cost?
Also, could you please provide a quote for doing the whole job?
Thanks,
Jim
Does Stenod Performance do the t-top to hardtop conversion? Are you serious about the two braces only being $15? How much does the composite roof cost?
Also, could you please provide a quote for doing the whole job?
Thanks,
Jim
A guy that used to work over at the shop converted his black T-Top Ground Effect Z28 into a Hugger Orange Hard Top SS, i'll ask around and see how hard it was for him to do the conversion, i remember he had a couple of sealing problems but was working them out then he quit, i didnt get much of a chance to talk to him though