Launching with ttops off, bad idea?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, Michigan
Launching with ttops off, bad idea? This thought crossed my mind. I used to own a hardtop car, and I am now purchasing a ttop firebird. Are hard launches on the street harmful when the ttops are off, especially when running a sticky tire? I go to insurance/bank auctions all the time and see many wrecked fbodys. All the hardtop cars are structurally sound (for the most part) and the ttop cars buckle like crazy in accidents especially in the T-bar area and windsheld.
So I was wondering what hard launches on the street on sticky tires would do to a ttop car (with the tops off). Especially 6 speed cars with drag radials or Mickeys.
And insight?
<img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">
[ January 20, 2002: Message edited by: RED QUASAR ]</p>
So I was wondering what hard launches on the street on sticky tires would do to a ttop car (with the tops off). Especially 6 speed cars with drag radials or Mickeys.
And insight?
<img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">
[ January 20, 2002: Message edited by: RED QUASAR ]</p>
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 0
From: Iowa :-/~
Re: Launching with ttops off, bad idea? It would allow the car to bend a lot more. It is just a fact that there is less support without the solid roof. Kenny Brown Double Diamond would be the first thing I would do. Then also a strut tower brace. A 6 point roll bar is good also. I have a T-top also.
7 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,834
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, Florida # of drag strips runs: ?!?!?
Re: Launching with ttops off, bad idea? car would definately experience a lot more stress and twisting with a hatch-style roof than a solid roof, and even worse with the t-tops removed. Subframe connectors would help this, as would the previously mentioned rollbar. My nova has subframe connectors, and the paint still shows signs of body flex <img src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" border="0" alt="[judgement]" />
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Launching with ttops off, bad idea? I disagree. The only difference between the two is that one has glass (12 lbs heavier) where the other has sheet metal. Watch where the dew settles on a "hard top"...see the outline of where the T-tops would be? Yep, that's right, this car was designed to be a T-top car. Actually, as far as flexing goes I'd put my money on the T-top. Afterall, glass is far stiffer than sheetmetal.
Ok, believe that or not if you want to. This I can tell you with %100 certainty. I've pulled MANY 1.3 second 60 ft times with my T-top car and don't have so much as a leak. Subframe connectors? Yes...and I'd have them on a "hardtop" Camaro too.
For your average 1.9-1.6 second 60ft street car I seriously don't think that not having your T-tops in place is going to make a damagable difference, especially if you have subframe connectors (which you should, IMO.)
[ January 20, 2002: Message edited by: Colonel ]</p>
Ok, believe that or not if you want to. This I can tell you with %100 certainty. I've pulled MANY 1.3 second 60 ft times with my T-top car and don't have so much as a leak. Subframe connectors? Yes...and I'd have them on a "hardtop" Camaro too.
For your average 1.9-1.6 second 60ft street car I seriously don't think that not having your T-tops in place is going to make a damagable difference, especially if you have subframe connectors (which you should, IMO.)
[ January 20, 2002: Message edited by: Colonel ]</p>
Re: Launching with ttops off, bad idea? Colonel,
I agree with all of your points, especially regarding damage on hard launches, and the need for SFCs regardless. However, the difference between a t-top and a hardtop car is NOT just a lil bit of sheetmetal. Check out the pics at http://www.dw-zone.com/t-tops/t-top.asp (converting a hardtop to a t-top car). You can see where there is a pretty large brace on the edges of the roof that would need to be cut to have t-tops. I think this makes the difference. How much? Not much I'm sure, but there IS a difference.
Dope
I agree with all of your points, especially regarding damage on hard launches, and the need for SFCs regardless. However, the difference between a t-top and a hardtop car is NOT just a lil bit of sheetmetal. Check out the pics at http://www.dw-zone.com/t-tops/t-top.asp (converting a hardtop to a t-top car). You can see where there is a pretty large brace on the edges of the roof that would need to be cut to have t-tops. I think this makes the difference. How much? Not much I'm sure, but there IS a difference.
Dope
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Launching with ttops off, bad idea? Ok, I looked at the pics and I've change my mind. I agree that the hard top should be just a little bit stronger overall (despite the fact that the glass is obviously stiffer than the sheetmetal.) Looking at what goes down the side of the two it does appear that way. However, I don't see it as making an appreciable amount of difference. If you have SFCs you'll never know the difference.
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
