T-top to hardtop conversion (4th gen F-body)
#23
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hardtops just have a cover, sheet metal I'm assuming that's spot welded over the t-top frame. IMO would be a simple conversion. Just find a wrecked hardtop fbody, take off the liner and drill out the spot welds, then transplant it onto the other car. Don't know why you would want to though t-tops are pimpin.
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#24
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Originally Posted by greysteel_M6
hardtops just have a cover, sheet metal I'm assuming that's spot welded over the t-top frame. IMO would be a simple conversion. Just find a wrecked hardtop fbody, take off the liner and drill out the spot welds, then transplant it onto the other car. Don't know why you would want to though t-tops are pimpin.
#25
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I seriously doubt the hard top offers any noticable difference for street use. If its an all out circuit racer with a stripped interior, 600bhp and massive slicks on each corner then maybe.
If yousimply want better handling buy a Lotus Elise.
If yousimply want better handling buy a Lotus Elise.
Last edited by 300bhp/ton; 01-24-2007 at 06:57 AM.
#26
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Originally Posted by 300bhp/ton
I seriously doubt the hard top offers any noticable difference for street use. If its an all out circuit racer with a stripped interior, 600bhp and massive slicks on each corner then maybe.
If yousimply want better handling buy a Lotus Elise.
If yousimply want better handling buy a Lotus Elise.
#27
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BWW3588 is right. I'm looking to improve the rigidity (especially over rough roads). I think driving over very rough roads or hitting a large pothole puts more stress and deflection on the frame than just launching from a stop or road racing on a smooth course. I don't hear any creaks when launching at the track, but I definitely here creaks over large bumps in the road.
The t-top cars feels like it's going to fall apart when driving on rough roads. I think that the hardtop car, with 2 structural members on each side of the roof, would help significantly... the cross section of these members actually looks very stiff and it's welded in place. However, I never rode in a hardtop 4th gen F-body to compare.
Thanks,
Jim
The t-top cars feels like it's going to fall apart when driving on rough roads. I think that the hardtop car, with 2 structural members on each side of the roof, would help significantly... the cross section of these members actually looks very stiff and it's welded in place. However, I never rode in a hardtop 4th gen F-body to compare.
Thanks,
Jim
#28
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Originally Posted by vtirocz
BWW3588 is right. I'm looking to improve the rigidity (especially over rough roads). I think driving over very rough roads or hitting a large pothole puts more stress and deflection on the frame than just launching from a stop or road racing on a smooth course. I don't hear any creaks when launching at the track, but I definitely here creaks over large bumps in the road.
The t-top cars feels like it's going to fall apart when driving on rough roads. I think that the hardtop car, with 2 structural members on each side of the roof, would help significantly... the cross section of these members actually looks very stiff and it's welded in place. However, I never rode in a hardtop 4th gen F-body to compare.
Thanks,
Jim
The t-top cars feels like it's going to fall apart when driving on rough roads. I think that the hardtop car, with 2 structural members on each side of the roof, would help significantly... the cross section of these members actually looks very stiff and it's welded in place. However, I never rode in a hardtop 4th gen F-body to compare.
Thanks,
Jim
#29
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What are you doing that warrants needing that extra hair of torsional stability? Hardtop isnt gonna make that big a difference and its gonna cost you an arm and a let to convert it. I would find a better way to stiffen the car up if i were you.
#31
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Ericbigmac83: What are you doing that warrants needing that extra hair of torsional stability? Hardtop isnt gonna make that big a difference and its gonna cost you an arm and a let to convert it. I would find a better way to stiffen the car up if i were you.
bww3588: i would trade tops with vtirocz if a reputiable shop could be found to do it.
Has anyone else on LS1TECH done a t-top to hardtop conversion?
Thanks,
Jim
#32
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Originally Posted by vtirocz
This is a daily driver car that I occasionally take drag racing (maybe twice per summer). However, even with BMR weld-in SFCs you can feel 1mm or so (my estimate) of deflection between the t-top/roof gap and t-top/windshield pillar gap. Those two braces on hardtops would basically eliminate this deflection, thus significantly increasing torsional stiffness. I just want the car to feel more solid when going over rough pavement and railroad tracks. I guess that's just personal preference. Also, I don't think it would cost that much to do if I could get all of the parts from another car.
bww3588: I would trade my t-tops, etc for your roof + 2 structural beams. From the write-ups I've seen, it does not look that hard to convert from hard-top to t-tops. Not sure how much a shop would charge to do this though.
Has anyone else on LS1TECH done a t-top to hardtop conversion?
Thanks,
Jim
bww3588: I would trade my t-tops, etc for your roof + 2 structural beams. From the write-ups I've seen, it does not look that hard to convert from hard-top to t-tops. Not sure how much a shop would charge to do this though.
Has anyone else on LS1TECH done a t-top to hardtop conversion?
Thanks,
Jim
#33
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BWW3588: i wouldnt know. there is a write up on how to do a HT to TT conversion. i imagine it would be the reverse. ill try to find the thread. from there it would be a matter of finding a body shop to do the swap. your roof is black right? vtirocz?
Yes, my roof is black (white car w/ black roof). I need to do a little more research on this, but definitely very interested in the conversion. Let me know if you hear of any body shops (located in the mid-west) that would do the conversion.
Thanks,
Jim
#34
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Originally Posted by vtirocz
bww3588,
Yes, my roof is black (white car w/ black roof). I need to do a little more research on this, but definitely very interested in the conversion. Let me know if you hear of any body shops (located in the mid-west) that would do the conversion.
Thanks,
Jim
Yes, my roof is black (white car w/ black roof). I need to do a little more research on this, but definitely very interested in the conversion. Let me know if you hear of any body shops (located in the mid-west) that would do the conversion.
Thanks,
Jim
#35
I'd get subframes before changing a t-top car to hardtop. It's just not that much of an improvement in rigidity. I test drove a lot of 4th gen f-bodies, some t's some hardtop and while I ended up with a hardtop, I noticed no difference in the little "creaks" and groans that occur going slowly over uneven surfaces like traintracks etc.
Once you stiffen up the suspension with some good shocks, I'd invest in subframes next as the creaks tend to get worse after that.
Once you stiffen up the suspension with some good shocks, I'd invest in subframes next as the creaks tend to get worse after that.
#36
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Originally Posted by SladeX
I'd get subframes before changing a t-top car to hardtop. It's just not that much of an improvement in rigidity. I test drove a lot of 4th gen f-bodies, some t's some hardtop and while I ended up with a hardtop, I noticed no difference in the little "creaks" and groans that occur going slowly over uneven surfaces like traintracks etc.
Once you stiffen up the suspension with some good shocks, I'd invest in subframes next as the creaks tend to get worse after that.
Once you stiffen up the suspension with some good shocks, I'd invest in subframes next as the creaks tend to get worse after that.
#37
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SladeX I'd get subframes before changing a t-top car to hardtop. It's just not that much of an improvement in rigidity. I test drove a lot of 4th gen f-bodies, some t's some hardtop and while I ended up with a hardtop, I noticed no difference in the little "creaks" and groans that occur going slowly over uneven surfaces like traintracks etc.
BWW3588: I just sent a reply to your PM. Let me know if you find a ballpark quote for the conversion.
Is there anyone in the Indianapolis area that has a hardtop 4th gen F-body I could ride in to make sure I want to go through with the t-top to hardtop conversion? I would be very unhappy if I went through all of this work and there is no noticeable difference in chassis rigidity + I loose the t-tops.
Thanks,
Jim
#38
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Here's another vote from someone that owns both a t-top car and a hardtop car that says it's not worth it. Just put SFC's on the car and call it good. The bars that connect the A-pillar to the sail panel are tack welded in two tiny little spots, and offer very little improvement in rigidity. SFCs or a cage will offer you much more of a benefit.