t-top welding
t-top welding I have a 95 m-6 t-top camaro. The car might be turned into a road race car pretty soon here. I am wondering how hard it would be to weld panels on in place of the t-tops. I dont want to touch the canter beam either. Yes i know that a fixed roof vehicle would be better than a t-top car for road racing due to structural factors. Maybe Fab up some panels that will bolt in place using the stock hardware............I dunno. Just looking for some ideas.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2004
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Hi: I dont know how hard it is to do in a Camaro But some people have done it in a Monte Carlo. They got a whole new roof panel and welded it in. You will also need a new headliner and dome light and maybe some moldings. I would have a good body man do the job I don't think I would want to try it myself. You probably will have to have subrame connectors welded in too. Probably easier to look for a car with a solid roof to work with.
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From: Baltimore, MD.
I'd actually think that a T-top car would be better, once you put in a permanent roof. Because you'd be putting in the reinforcement that the solid roof car has, and keeping the extra reinforcement that the t-top car has.
Does sound like a lot of work. You might consider changing cars, but I expect the finances won't allow that.
'Dreamin'
Does sound like a lot of work. You might consider changing cars, but I expect the finances won't allow that.
'Dreamin'
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I gutted sunroof and all the associated crap and welded it to the roof. The main theing to be carefull of is puuting too much heat into the surrounding metal. If you do this when it cools it warps.
If you are fabbing "bolt on" panels for a t-top you either need a sheet metal brake or build a frame from some thin steel rod and them weld panels onto the rods. Same thing goes though, easy on the heat. Lots of tack welds spread out and then back fill. I must have done over 100 welds on the sunroof.
If you are fabbing "bolt on" panels for a t-top you either need a sheet metal brake or build a frame from some thin steel rod and them weld panels onto the rods. Same thing goes though, easy on the heat. Lots of tack welds spread out and then back fill. I must have done over 100 welds on the sunroof.
Originally Posted by JustDreamin
I'd actually think that a T-top car would be better, once you put in a permanent roof. Because you'd be putting in the reinforcement that the solid roof car has, and keeping the extra reinforcement that the t-top car has.
Does sound like a lot of work. You might consider changing cars, but I expect the finances won't allow that.
'Dreamin'
Does sound like a lot of work. You might consider changing cars, but I expect the finances won't allow that.
'Dreamin'
there isnt a sheetmetal roof.. its a piece of plastic bonded to the metal "frame" that goes around the edge.
if you had a donor car that you could get the roof plastic, and edges from, it wouldnt be hard to cut, tack, and bond the roof on.
athough im not sure what its bonded on with.
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From: Baltimore, MD.
Yeah, I think for a racecar, I'd want some steel over my head.
I'd forgotten that the roof is plastic. Which is silly, since I own a '93 Z. Would think I could remember something like that.
'Dreamin'
I'd forgotten that the roof is plastic. Which is silly, since I own a '93 Z. Would think I could remember something like that.
'Dreamin'
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Baltimore, MD.
I'd say a cage is the best idea. But I'd still rather have some steel over my head, just for peace of mind that my hands and such would be still inside the car if it ever got shiny side down (hopefully never, but with a racecar, you never can say never).
'Dreamin'
'Dreamin'
Sorry about not giving details. I am going to turn this car into a road race car and buy another truck as a daily driver/tow vehicle. The car will be fully stripped and caged( no side glass, interior, etc etc). I basically want to replace the t-top glass with sheet metal and windshield with lexan later on. The car already has subframes also. I went out to TWS the other day and looked at a few F-bodies and got a few ideas. I just dont liek the idea of glass above my head if i should somehow end up like this guy.
Last edited by red95ssclone; Aug 23, 2005 at 04:53 PM.
