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C5 Chassis stiffening?

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Old Jan 31, 2010 | 03:08 PM
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Default C5 Chassis stiffening?

I have an 03 targa top C5 coupe that I'm doing some mods to to get around 550 whp out of it. I plan to mainly cruise it and go to local car events however occasionally I'd like to go to the drag strip with it. What kind of chassis mods need to be done seeing that it's a targa top to prevent any flex or tweaking? I'm not worried about NHRA rules, moreso the vehicle strength thats needed. Thanks.
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Old Jan 31, 2010 | 04:20 PM
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why do you think it needs to be stiffer?

your C5 is fine for twice the HP then you have now.. without completly tearing the car appart and doing serious work it'll never hook hard enough to have serious chassis flex issues.

Regardless with that power you'll need a roll bar because you should be moving faster than 11.50s
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Old Jan 31, 2010 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by sciff5
why do you think it needs to be stiffer?

your C5 is fine for twice the HP then you have now.. without completly tearing the car appart and doing serious work it'll never hook hard enough to have serious chassis flex issues.

Regardless with that power you'll need a roll bar because you should be moving faster than 11.50s

I'm new to modding c5s and I'm coming from ttop 4th gens and 3rd gen camaros where the first thing was always subframe connectors and cages once more serious power was reached. I'm assuming since the targa c5 has no support whatsoever on the top end of it it would at least need some sort of reinforcing for drag racing assuming the car hooks with around 500 whp.
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 1fast97gsx
I'm new to modding c5s and I'm coming from ttop 4th gens and 3rd gen camaros where the first thing was always subframe connectors and cages once more serious power was reached. I'm assuming since the targa c5 has no support whatsoever on the top end of it it would at least need some sort of reinforcing for drag racing assuming the car hooks with around 500 whp.
The C5 is not like the f-bodys and older corvettes where body flex is a huge issue. A roll cage would certainly be a good idea for safety but I would not worry about the body flex as it will be minimal.
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 12:48 PM
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Sounds good, thanks for the response. That's good to know .. I wonder why more people don't build targa vettes. Seems most of them are Z06s or FRCs.
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 01:08 PM
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Slightly less weight or personal preference are my guesses.
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by bamalt1
Slightly less weight or personal preference are my guesses.
z06 has stiffer frame as it has both the coupe and vert frame rail type deals
and yes they weigh quiet a bit less

I just like the targa better
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 02:15 PM
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remember the vettes a full frame car unlike an f-body that needs the extra stiffining
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 02:33 PM
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wasn't the C5 designed as a Vert, from the start? As in, it is as stiff as they wanted without a roof, then the roof cars just got stiffer...?
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike@Diablosport
wasn't the C5 designed as a Vert, from the start? As in, it is as stiff as they wanted without a roof, then the roof cars just got stiffer...?
Yes !!!! The difference between the targa and the Z06 isn't much at all. The main the difference in weight is the stupid run-flats and they shaved a few lbs. off the windshield. Additionally the Z06 didtn't offer the sport seat option for the passenger side being powered. The Z06 is around 3% lighter but like I said it's mainly do to the run-craps.

If you want it stiffer here are your options

1. Roll bar the most expensive option
2. A stiffer tunnel plate. This helps quite a bit
3. Bigger sway bars.
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Wicked_C5
Yes !!!! The difference between the targa and the Z06 isn't much at all. The main the difference in weight is the stupid run-flats and they shaved a few lbs. off the windshield. Additionally the Z06 didtn't offer the sport seat option for the passenger side being powered. The Z06 is around 3% lighter but like I said it's mainly do to the run-craps.

If you want it stiffer here are your options

1. Roll bar the most expensive option
2. A stiffer tunnel plate. This helps quite a bit
3. Bigger sway bars.
Thats the first time I've heard sway bars stiffening the chassis. Did you meen strut tower braces?
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 06:54 PM
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No such thing as strut tower braces on vettes.

Not needed either.

The C5 frame is very stout, and the Z06 in particular is even more so as it features additional mid section stiffening borrowed from the vert.

If you want a C5 stiffer, then a welded to frame simple 4 pt. roll bar will work quite well. The tunnel plates do nothing but lighten wallets.
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by sciff5
Thats the first time I've heard sway bars stiffening the chassis. Did you meen strut tower braces?
It doesn't per say stiffen the chassis. Believe me the ride and stiffness with T-1 sway bars are more then many people can handle for the street.
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Old Feb 2, 2010 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 1fast97gsx
I have an 03 targa top C5 coupe that I'm doing some mods to to get around 550 whp out of it. I plan to mainly cruise it and go to local car events however occasionally I'd like to go to the drag strip with it. What kind of chassis mods need to be done seeing that it's a targa top to prevent any flex or tweaking? I'm not worried about NHRA rules, moreso the vehicle strength thats needed. Thanks.
I put down around 500 and have no flex issues.

You still live in orlando?
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Old Feb 2, 2010 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by A3VETTE
I put down around 500 and have no flex issues.

You still live in orlando?
I moved back to chicago, IL but I plan to eventually make my way back to orlando.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 01:39 PM
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Chassis flex isn't an issue in these cars... the fully hydroformed chassis is one of the best out there.

I converted my Z06 into a targa in 2008 w/o any change in cowl shake/flex. It's amazing this thread actually has accurate info (normally people just spew BS they heard on the web). The Z06 is indeed stiffer than the coupe/vert because it has the b-pillar rollbar of the coupe and the rear cross-bar of the vert. The coup and vert each have the one. The car was designed as a vert first... this is why C5 verts are lighter than the coupe by 10-15lbs. There's no need for extra chassis bracing and no power top motor to deal with.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 03:32 PM
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Can you purchase the vert piece for a coupe?
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:01 PM
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No... its not just a bit you bolt in.... its part of the structure of the car inherint to the FRC/vert design. Its where the trunk lid hinges from.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Cobra4B
No... its not just a bit you bolt in.... its part of the structure of the car inherint to the FRC/vert design. Its where the trunk lid hinges from.
I only like targa top c5s so it seems a 4 point roll bar seems like the best bet
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 3.8redbird
I only like targa top c5s so it seems a 4 point roll bar seems like the best bet
Whats the point of a 4 point. Make it a 6 point so you can actually run the car at the dragstrip
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