mopete53

is this even possible to convert a hard top firebird to t-tops? Can it be done? If so for how much?

DJCobol

Anything is possible with enough money, but there isnt an easy swap like the 4th gens have that I know of.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

It wasn't uncommon with the thirdgens either. Dealers sent many out to local shops to be converted to t-tops. But it was expensive, and it's probably a lot more today. And I'm not even sure you'd have an easy time finding a shop that will even do it anymore.

I wouldn't even know where to begin looking. I guess local body shops might be able to direct you. Maybe even a local dealer knows of someone, maybe even someone he's used for other custom conversions.

So it's possible. Good luck and happy hunting.

miamivice

there was a thread about this a while back. this is the only shop that i know of that will do it (or at least do it right)

http://www.markscustomkits.com/T-top_Conversion.html

85berlinetta2.8

you need a t-top car roof and to feather the layers of sheetmetal on the posts and then lower and weld. someone on here has pics of him doing it in a large pop up garage with a big cherry picker

ddn69

could u just chop the entire top and swap it out?

tpiroc

Fatal88 converted a hard top to a t-top, then from a t-top to a convertible! So it can be done! You could either use a kit or the gear from a donor car. Just don't forget the SFC's

badapple

Why not skip the t-top and go for targa? Weaker body and what not but nothing a few suspension connections couldnt help.

ScrapMaker

plus you might be able to use the metal you cut off as the actual top... saving some money...

85berlinetta2.8

but the easiest way to go to targa is to cut ff the bar of a t top car and rig it to be mounted and removable

ScrapMaker

I thought that the t-bar was part of the chassis or something... is it really removable?

85berlinetta2.8

you have to cut it, and then reinforce the cars chassis. ive seen it done on a ttopped fiero

85berlinetta2.8

thats like trying to put lego car peices onto a kenex car

kretos

haha, so true

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

Actually if your starting with a hardtop, using a vette targa would be easy...

I started as a T-Top and went Targa Top.


The T bar spot welds wre drilled out. and then 2 pieces had to be cut. I was in the doing the Top out of a Mold and 1 piece carbon fiber top. That was gonna be painted body color. Along with a Lexan smoked one.

Well a local buddy insisted on doing the same thing. So I decided to go vert. I had a Totaled 91 RS vert I took all the parts from. YES its fully functional as if the factory did it.




Ive done everything myself. So if your skilled YES it can be done. Done right and done cheap. if you pay a Shop to do it then its prob gonna cost alot.

ScrapMaker

it looks like you chopped off the a-pillars too in the picture

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

?? What ?? Looks normal to me....



http://www.cecoatings.com/images/Car...s/DSC01188.JPG

ScrapMaker

I guess I used the wrong word... I meant Side Pillars....

if you are converting it from t-top to targa... wouldn't the "pillar" where the 6x9's are still be there?

ScrapMaker

nm I that you are going vert... but I'm curious, where does the top lay when its dropped? does it fit in the trunk or sit like a jetta, or a vwbug?

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

I was about to say Re-read what I typed.. Went To Targa Then desided to just go all the way.

The top lays right behind the back seat rest like any other 3rdGen vert.

ScrapMaker

nice, so what was the hardest part? making the top latch at the front? bracing the car more? converting the trunk area?

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

To be honesy not much was hard at all. The latch up top/front is only a Diff bracket. You unbolt the 2 t-top ones and bolt in the vert ones.

The complete inner structure of a vert got cut out and basically droped in and welded it up.

I already had SFC's and the Cage in as a Targa top so cutting it was no problem. Then I just redid the back roll bars for the top to still drop.

All in all the Vert part of it was done with in a weekend.

ScrapMaker

do you have any pics of the top actually attached?

btw nice dash swap! I bet that took you longer than the vert conversion

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

No pic's of the top up right now. Its back out so I dont burn the top when welding for the mini tubbs.

No the dash swap only took a day actually.
The 4thgen door panels are what will take a little longer then anything because Im remolding the door handles because of the cage side cars.

ScrapMaker

nice... did you have to modify the ducting at all for the 4thgen dash? also I would assume that the "gaps" you see in the dash are just missing panels?

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

Im taking the 4thGen a piller plastic and the 3rdGen ones and grafting em both together to make a mold. This way I can make a set to look factory and cover the side defor vents and pillars.

The middle vents will get my fp ,boost and ?? gauges
The radio and hvac are missing right now also. but all will be put back.

ScrapMaker

normally the 4thgen swap doesn't have any of those gaps right? the places where you are gonna put gauges and such...

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

What gaps are you talking about? The top dash pad isnt on in the pictires. and the Gaps beside the pillers will be on ANY 4thGen swap unless you make something to cover then and fill the area.

I belive fatal88 has some good pic's of how He covered the area.

ScrapMaker

I got ya, the dashpad covers all that space... and the only space that it doesn't cover is on the sides along the door hinges?

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

Right now Yes..

All space will be covered when Im done..

ScrapMaker

hell yeah I really wanna see this