Who else hates their hardtop
#101
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Car: Black 1991 Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: I have no Idea
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
Had a 91 Z28 T-Top for years that never leaked, even after the passenger side top warped slightly during the first summer in the desert at 29 Palms. I sold it with 155K miles.
I have a hard top 91 Z28 now, (16K miles) and there are times when I miss them, and times when I don't. Maybe when I get more miles on the car and it's time to switch engines and put in a T-56 I'll buy a T-Top rolling chassis, break out the torch and go nuts.
I have a hard top 91 Z28 now, (16K miles) and there are times when I miss them, and times when I don't. Maybe when I get more miles on the car and it's time to switch engines and put in a T-56 I'll buy a T-Top rolling chassis, break out the torch and go nuts.
#102
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Car: 1998 Trans/Am, 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: LS1, LQ9 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73, 2.73
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
I own a 4th gen T/a and i will never remove the t tops. I think the car looks good with them but looks a little Joe Dirt when they are out. I think 3rd gens just dont look right with t tops.
#103
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Car: 1987 IROC Z/28
Engine: 5.0L TPI. Custom Tune
Transmission: 5 Speed/ Pro5.0 short /hurst stick
Axle/Gears: 1LE 10 bolt Rear/T2R 3.45 PBR/disc
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
I just bought a scratched up set of lexan tops and drilled and pinned them permanently. While doing that, i removed 8 pounds of weight from the handles and supports and pretty much just have a very lightweight solid, permanent roof.
#104
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Car: 1988 Gta trans am project 1-1/2
Engine: 86 4 bolt main cammed sbc 355 hsr
Transmission: 89 wc bw t5
Axle/Gears: Bw 9 bolt (3.27) pbr 11in
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
I dont know how people could hate the hard top 3rd gen i had about 4 f body t top cars an hated everyone of them so much flex with out frame connectors all the creeking rattles it made just pulling out of the driveway was terrible i now have a 88 gta hardtop an love it there is still some flex but not as bad as a t top car once i finish patching the floors with new metal sfc will be in an no more flex for me
#105
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Car: 1987 IROC Z/28
Engine: 5.0L TPI. Custom Tune
Transmission: 5 Speed/ Pro5.0 short /hurst stick
Axle/Gears: 1LE 10 bolt Rear/T2R 3.45 PBR/disc
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
I dont know how people could hate the hard top 3rd gen i had about 4 f body t top cars an hated everyone of them so much flex with out frame connectors all the creeking rattles it made just pulling out of the driveway was terrible i now have a 88 gta hardtop an love it there is still some flex but not as bad as a t top car once i finish patching the floors with new metal sfc will be in an no more flex for me
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#106
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Car: 1988 Gta trans am project 1-1/2
Engine: 86 4 bolt main cammed sbc 355 hsr
Transmission: 89 wc bw t5
Axle/Gears: Bw 9 bolt (3.27) pbr 11in
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
I think roll bars are tacky looking just a good set of sfc would be fine i can understand if ur running low et's then yea the 8 point roll cage would be best for that but for regular street driving a good set of sfc an ur good
#107
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Car: 1987 IROC Z/28
Engine: 5.0L TPI. Custom Tune
Transmission: 5 Speed/ Pro5.0 short /hurst stick
Axle/Gears: 1LE 10 bolt Rear/T2R 3.45 PBR/disc
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
my car is not, and never will be street legal. 100% race car through and through. And in that regard a roll cage is required.
#108
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Car: 88 GTA/86 C20 Burb/91 325i
Engine: L98/454/M20
Transmission: 700R4/NV4500/Getrag
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt/3.73 14 Bolt/3.73 IRS
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
I dont know how people could hate the hard top 3rd gen i had about 4 f body t top cars an hated everyone of them so much flex with out frame connectors all the creeking rattles it made just pulling out of the driveway was terrible i now have a 88 gta hardtop an love it there is still some flex but not as bad as a t top car once i finish patching the floors with new metal sfc will be in an no more flex for me
I honestly preferred the T-Tops, because they were fun to take out. Yes, they leaked, but I didn't drive my car in the rain much. It was annoying when I didn't have a garage and the back floorboard go wet in the rain, but with a garage, it would be pretty much a moot point.
I think a lot of guys complaining about rattles and squeaks need to go through their interiors and bodies and tighten up all the loose and/or missing fasteners. Most of these cars have been taken apart and put back together again at least once, and stuff invariably gets left out. Door alignment is also crucial. Worn out hinges, latches (and latch pins), and old weatherstripping all add to the problem of rattles, squeaks, and (to some extent) body flex.
Even my hardtop GTA with SFCs is not as tight as I'd like it to be. Someday I'm going to go underneath and weld in a set of Alston-style inner SFCs. I think with the dual SFCs, it might be as tight as I'd like it to be. Until then, I can put up with a rattle or squeak here and there on a rough road.
Long story short, a nice hardtop and a nice T-Top car are virtually indistinguishable with a good set of SFCs. Finding a good example that's well cared for is a lot more important than what kind of roof it originally came with.
-cal30sniper
#109
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
Ive finally took the time to read this thread.
IMO,this conversion is for the guy that has the body work skill necessary to do the job right,including all prep.and paint,welding,etc.Other wise learn to love your hard top.
IMO,this conversion is for the guy that has the body work skill necessary to do the job right,including all prep.and paint,welding,etc.Other wise learn to love your hard top.
#111
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
I'd trade my '89 WS6 Formula 350 hard top for a T Top anyday...
this one is my 3rd 3rd gen car..first without t tops...sure miss them...
very serious about trading if anybody is interested...
thanks
this one is my 3rd 3rd gen car..first without t tops...sure miss them...
very serious about trading if anybody is interested...
thanks
#112
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Car: 1991 camaro RS
Engine: CharlesOdoryOB
Transmission: 82513892892
Axle/Gears: pbr disc 3.27 nine bolt
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
i would never ever trade a hardtop for a t-top i loved my hard top i wish every time i hit a bump every time it rains that i had a hard top
#113
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Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
All my three of my Camaros have had t-tops and I personally love them. But they do have drawbacks. When it rains, bird poop in the seats, and all that fun stuff. But I think its worth it to be able to cruise around with them out. And if you're not making a whole lot of power a set of subframe connectors makes a huge difference in tightening them up. As for the Targa conversion I've never seen it done but the one above looked pretty awesome. Maybe an idea for my next project.
#115
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Car: 92 Firebird, 91 GTA
Engine: 305 TBI, 350 TPI, * LS1 (Building)
Re: Who else hates their hardtop
Ive owned three third gens a 84 z28(ttop) a 92 Firbird(ttop) and my current 91 GTA (hardtop)
z28 didnt leak. 92 leaked pretty decent and my hardtop leaks on the passenger side! the reason I sold the 92 and got the 91 was for that reason...and it had a 5.7
but I miss my ttops something wicked! IMO theres nothing better than taking the tops off on a nice day. and heading to the beach. I especially miss it now that were coming up on Fall here in FL
I say go for it bro. but if your going to do it do it right. I dont think youll be dissapointed
and as far as hartops being more sturdy. its not uncommon for the hard tops to crack where the cross bars would go. Mines cracking a little.
z28 didnt leak. 92 leaked pretty decent and my hardtop leaks on the passenger side! the reason I sold the 92 and got the 91 was for that reason...and it had a 5.7
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I say go for it bro. but if your going to do it do it right. I dont think youll be dissapointed
and as far as hartops being more sturdy. its not uncommon for the hard tops to crack where the cross bars would go. Mines cracking a little.
Last edited by SR71BLKBRD; 10-04-2012 at 12:15 PM.
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