View Poll Results: Top up or down = which is faster
Top up
125
80.13%
Top down
14
8.97%
same either way
17
10.90%
Voters: 156. You may not vote on this poll
Top up or down = which is faster
I believe top up is lower wind resistance (Cd) but
who cares? Fastest I've gone in the car is 130,
top down as it happens, since the only time I
leave the top up is when it's raining and then
going 100+ would be kinda stupid.
who cares? Fastest I've gone in the car is 130,
top down as it happens, since the only time I
leave the top up is when it's raining and then
going 100+ would be kinda stupid.
I'd think top up would definitely help the aerodynamics, but like jimmyblue said, who drives their vert with the top up? 
I know mines always down, except for this fall when it was too damn cold and I just wanted to drive the car before I put it away for the winter. And of course if it's raining the tops up, but then again the cars also in the garage! 
I know mines always down, except for this fall when it was too damn cold and I just wanted to drive the car before I put it away for the winter. And of course if it's raining the tops up, but then again the cars also in the garage! 
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: ohio, north carolina
Top Up = less wind resistance I did some research and some field testing. Keep the top up.
Always put your top up if you are racing. I was out w/ some Z06's and we raced to 150 and I was at a disadvantage......we also raced w/ the top up and it was a lot closer. I am makin' as much or more horses, but i weigh more and am not as aerodynamic, or have the gears like the Z.....
Always put your top up if you are racing. I was out w/ some Z06's and we raced to 150 and I was at a disadvantage......we also raced w/ the top up and it was a lot closer. I am makin' as much or more horses, but i weigh more and am not as aerodynamic, or have the gears like the Z.....
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
MUCH faster and quicker top up, but as they age, the top gets slack and "flops' around which creates a lot of turbulence as well.
I have gone 135 top down, and it pulls like ****. I had a hard time pulling on a cat-back only LT1 one day, I thought something was wrong until I realized the top was down (kind of wrapped up in the moment LOL) and it just seemed like it hit a wall at 130
Now top up, pulls to 150+ like nothing!
I have gone 135 top down, and it pulls like ****. I had a hard time pulling on a cat-back only LT1 one day, I thought something was wrong until I realized the top was down (kind of wrapped up in the moment LOL) and it just seemed like it hit a wall at 130
Now top up, pulls to 150+ like nothing!
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TECH Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
The aerodynamics of the car with the top up help it to be faster than with the top down. However, there is a vortex that forms behind the rear glass. This is a problem the hardtops/t-tops don't have so they are aerodynamically superior. But the convertible is MUCH more fun to drive 
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Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I Raced At The Track 10 Times In A Night...was Averaging 14.10-13 With It Up, In Vegas With The Temp At 110 At Night Not Includeing The Track Temp Probably Being Hotter....
The 5 Times I Ran With It Down I Was 14.6-14.8 So It Makes A Huge Difference
The 5 Times I Ran With It Down I Was 14.6-14.8 So It Makes A Huge Difference
Ive been on the interstate playin around with a buddy who was in a mustang that runs low 6's in the 1/8th with a stick and we wound out 5th gear. I have 4.11's and a 6-speed. I have full autometer guages, so we dont know how fast we were goin but it was the fastest ive ever gone and the top was down. It was awsome!!!
But its definetly faster with the top up.
But its definetly faster with the top up.
One small point that is missed here is top up AND windows UP is aerodynamically superior to top up, windows down, especially as the top ages and stretches. It will balloon more with the windows down, than up.
