samdog1232000

I have a 92 RS with factory acrylic T-TOPS. Did GM make Glass T-Tops that will fit correctly on a 92 RS. If so do I get it off a older car or do I have to get something specially made. Someone told me the 91 camaros came with glass T-Tops if that is the case will that work on my 92????????????

camaro6spd

i have glass t-tops....from my 87, umm if you find out that they fit, give me an e-mail, you can have them for like $40, they are in good condition.

jawzforlife1

only tops from 90-92 will fit on you car without modification. Yes, the made glass ones in that year. Modifications arn't easy, just try to find some 90-92 for a direct swap. It also doesn't matter if it is a RS or Z28.

Omega

iTrader: (1)

My 89 has the lexan t-tops. I bought a set of glass ones from an unknown year thirdgen and they fit fine. All I had to do was adjust the plastic pin holders and I was all set.

To my knowledge any 82-92 t-top is interchangable. What makes the 91-92 t-tops so special?

cg91ta

After 89 the pins changed on the tops from about 3/8" pins to 5/8" pins.

The 3/8" pins were encased in plastic and, if I am not mistaken, elongated as well.

I also believe that the tops prior to 85 were slightly different as well.

I have my set of lexan tops in descent condition that I would like to trade for a set of glass ones. Keep in mind the lexan ones are exceptionally lighter than glass..

jawzforlife1

the differance isnt the glass or plastic, its the pins. The first ones had a latch, second one had a pin (small with no plastic) 90-92 had a lag pin (pin wraped in plastic) thats the differance.

Omega

iTrader: (1)

Hmm. See, you learn something new everyday.

cg91ta: Do you find that the lexan t-tops create a lot of wind noise at highway speeds? Mine never leaked water, but it was impossible to talk while on the highway.

cg91ta

Initially, but then I took and adjusted them, both front and back by the door, and they were quiet for a year or so.

After that, because my weatherstripping is getting old, the faster I went he more suction was on them and the more noise thay made, but never to the point where I couldn't carry on a conversation.

My weatherstripping needs to be swapped out, but I think it'll wait until fall when it starts to cool off here in Phoenix.

Omega

iTrader: (1)

If you look at the glass t-tops compared to the lexan ones, the lexan t-tops are convex in shape. I figured that it was just the nature of the lexan t-tops.

Thanks for the info.

okfoz

Thas interesting about the T-tops, I owned a 91, 2 87's and an 83, All with glass T-tops, the only one that was different was the 83.

I think 82-84 has the hook style, then the pin style was interoduced in 85/86 ish. I notice the little extra plastic covering the pin on my Acrylic tops, and I also noticed that the plastic covering was on a stiff spring that could be pushed in seperately from the metal pin.

I will check this out tonight and report back later...

John

robertg

iTrader: (2)

For what it's worth, my 84 Camaro has glass tops, and they have pins.

I think 84 may have been the first year for the pins, as opposed to hooks.

Trent257

the ttops on my 89 bird and 90 iroc are idential and interchangable

jawzforlife1

her's what I have been told:

1982-84 latch

1985-89 small pin (3/8")

1990-92 large pin (pin wrapped in plastic)


after hearing all you guys that have fit tops on differant cars than is that what my list says, I'm completley confused

I will offical say I have know idea anymore.

cg91ta

I will submit this for proof that the plastic covered pins MAY have been for the lexan tops only between 89 and 91...as this came off the box my new ones came in.

jawzforlife1

so now it is belevied that the ones tops with plastic covered pins are the lexon. Am i correct in saying that??

samdog1232000

Is Lexan basically acrylic? Does the glass tops form the same shape as the Lexan or Acrylic? Some of you guys mentioned that you can adjust the t-tops from front to back. How is that done on a 92 RS???

okfoz

I can confirm that my Acrylic Tops have the large pins ( I got my Acrylics from an 89 Formula), I took the receivers from a donor car because I thought the pins would be larger and the holes therefore were different. But after looking at the recievers they appear to be the same as my Glass ones. (Still have yet to attempt an install) Possibly today at lunch.

John

okfoz

NO, Lexan and Acrylic are differnt materials.

Acrylic is commonly called "Plexiglas" Plexiglas was originally a Trade name for Rhom & Hass, but is now manufacured by Atofina. Other Acrylic Manyfacturers are Polycast, Cyro, and Lucite to name a few.

Lexan is a Trade name of GE for a material called Polycarbonate, or Polycarb.

Acrylic yet similar are very different beasts altogether. Acrylic is tough, but you can break it. it is also notch sensitive meaning that any nick on the edge is a potential place for a crack to start. Acrylic can be extruded, cast, or continuous cast.

Polycarb on the other hand is tough as nails, you can hit it with a hammer and dent it, but it will not break (unless its old and brittle). The downside of polycarb is the material can only be extruded (from my knowledge), which leaves the surface with little ripples.

The Plastic tops I believe are all made from Acrylic, not polycarb. From what I have and seen, the tops are hard coated with a material called "Leximar" or something to that effect. On the inside ther are decals that Identify the material as being Acrylic. GM may have used Polycarbonate in different runs or different years, but I have yet to confirm that any tops were actually made of ploycarb.

I work for a small company that makes windshields and windows for light airplanes, I know quite a bit about these materials. If you have any more questions shoot them my way I might be able to help you. I am also considering making replacement plastic panels for the tops. that will be soon if I in fact do it.

hope that helps

John

okfoz

Ok, I am beginning to feel like a post *****...

I just poped my Acrylic T's into my 87 Formula, and they went in without a hitch. they have the larger style plastic covered pins & everything. So I imagine going from the Acrylic to Glass should be no problem...

John

jawzforlife1

so, okfoz. Just to clarify

What year car do you have?

What style tops did you orig have with what type pin?

What year car did you get the new car from?

What style tops did you get with what type of pin?

Heres what I trying to figure out. Are the platic wrapped pins specific to acrylic tops or to spectic years.

I have a 1991 with acrylic tops and plastic pins. I want looked for glass tops. All glass tops I have seen have small pins.

91rsrider

i bought a used set of glass tops for my 91 rs a few weeks ago.they are supposedly out of a 91 GTA.the lexans i HAD on my car had the plastic pins.the glass one that are on there NOW also have the plastic pins.the only thing is the NEW tops are different,so i doubt they are off the same car.one is mirror on the outside and one is tint on the outside,both mirrored inside though .i dont know what up with that,but both the glass ones DO have plastic pins.

okfoz

Quote:

What year car do you have?

1987 Formula

Quote:

What style tops did you orig have with what type pin?

My car originally came with Glass T-tops, Pins, NO plastic sheeth.

Quote:

What year car did you get the new car from?

1989 Formula

Quote:

What style tops did you get with what type of pin?

I got the Acrylic (plastic) tops from that car with the Pins & Plastic Sheeth.

The Plastic Tops fit perfect in my top (that came with Glass tops), they will need to be adjusted, but they fit.


Is that what you wanted to know?

John

jawzforlife1

so you have a 91 camaro :

Had acrylic with platic pins

Went to glass with plastic pins from a 91.

Thanks for the info

samdog1232000

Thanks John for the info!!!!! In your opinion would you recommend glass tops over acrlyic. I am thinking about getting some glass T-Tops off a 91 camaro hoping they wont squeek like my acrylic one will. It seems that acrylic is or what ever the tops are made of seem to hard to keep in good condition. What is your take on all of this????? Can your company make T-tops? If so (how Much) and were could I place an order?

okfoz

Your Welcome,

I would recommend Glass, hands down, unless your planning on doing racing, then the Acrylics will be lighter. The duribliity of the glass is WAY more suted to cars than Acrylic.

I would do it, like stated before, I think the Glass for duribility and longevity are far superior. The Glass is also stiffer, thus the metal strips on the front & rear of the acrylic T's

Yes, Acrylic has a life span of about 7 to 10 years max even after light use. Acrylic will last longer if kept out of the elements and protected. But if exposed every day they will degrade faster than 7 to 10 years. The little cracks are called "crazing" and are inevitable with use especially on a car. By simply running through a car wash could help promote it. Interestingly even the stress of flexing acrylic will help promote the crazing.

With that in mind, the acrylic is under stress by being held in by the single bar in the middle of the car and the pins holding them in. Add that to the harsh chemicals used to wash cars, and the UV rays from the sun, means that the life expectancy is VERY short.

Yes, we can make the acrylic portion of the tops, but it would be up to the purchaser to install the actual top into their hardware. But again, the process will start all over and in a few years you will end up where you are now.

Right now I would recommend getting glass from a salvge yard, since I have yet to make the hardware to shape the Acrylic.

Does that help any?

John

samdog1232000

You basically answered everything I needed to know. I will probably stop by the junk yard to find some T-Tops or order some glass ones threw my dads work. Thanks for your time!
Once I get a picture scanned of my car with its T-Tops I will send it to or just post it on this subject!!!!!!

Randy82WS7

and about the 84's using hooks instead of pins, thats false, they use pins and holes brackets also, either that or my 84 Z is also a rare car,

John,. that was some good info ! !