RamAirZ

Hey guys, i was thinking about the idea of a Targa top for our 3rd gens. I am wondering if it would be possible (I believe it should especially with a t-top car, just cut out the middle bar, fill in the holes and support it, and fab your own roof with latches, I could use the stock t-top area latches and then make one for in the middle). I think this would be a neat custom trick and would look bad ***. Watcha guys think???? Just a thought, figured I'd throw it out there.

ltherin

Then what do you do after you cut the support and the car becomes U shaped?
There was a reason why they did not make a ttop car and a 350 tpi.

RamAirZ

They did make a T-Top car unless you mean Targa by T, and there is such as a thing as a 350 TPI motor you know. The Targa top would be a heck of a job and lots of dough, but a vette has it, a Supra has it, so can't we have one. I doubt I would dive into a project like this just yet, but you have to admit, it would be nice to have the whole convertible feeling while still keeping the hatch. I plan on adding a 4 point roll cage anyways, so that would support the rear area. There are ways

1991tealRSt-topGuy

structrual inregrity is a valid point..............although having a V6 with not alot of power is also a valid point FOR a targa top

i imagine subframe connectors would help quite a bit

i want a targa top also

RamAirZ

Ya, but I don't have a V6, lol. I have a V8, so I have more body flex stil, but a roll cage, subframes, and a well designed roof would support it good, the only time it might be somewhat weak is when the top is of, but with the cage in the back it will support it.

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

They did make 350 T-Top cars... I have one. Its an 89. I think they didn't make 350s with T-Tops in 91/92 or something, but I'm not exactly sure.

As for the targa idea, I think it would be cool, but I'd rather leave the crossbar there to not weaken my car.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

I plan on doing the Targa Top conversion myself either this year or early next year.
I will be adding sub-frame connectors and a 6 point(I think it's a 6 point) roll cage. It's the cage that has a 2 low bars that goes to the front of the car next to the driver and passenger seats.

Here is a Photoshop version of my car I did a while back,

stuart69427

if you are going to do targa, might as well go full targa and get a notchback!

btw - camaro rims on a trans am look much better than they do on a camaro!

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

They might look better, but I always had people telling me "Hey, nice Camaro" all the time.

un4givin89

I'll stick with T-Tops, Targa, to much effort and where you gonna store the thing? What if it starts raining, can't grab it out the trunk.

Beene

I am in the middle of putting a Targa top on my '82. The body shop and I have been experimenting with alot of ideas and scrap cars. The only way to get enough structural integrity back on a car with a V8 is to have a roll cage that extends 2 bars past the top of the window kinda defeating the purpose of the targa top. These cars depend heavily on their roofs for support and even with a V6, once you remove that top there is still a HUGE chance that you will bend the frame. All it would take is to lock up the brakes as 60mph and you would do some serious damage. If you remove the back seats though, you can fit the center section of the roof there if you make a custom bracket. It is very expensive though and most body shops won't get into it.

RamAirZ

Ya, I had researched the idea myself also, and knew the only way to support it would be a roll cage, an 8-point roll cage could support it well since it is right above the back seat and has the bars that come into the front to help support itself. A 4-point one should still work also because it is still holding the part of the car that would need to be supported. I know you would be spending alot of dough and time to get this to work correctly, but it IS possible, I just thought it was a neat idea and though I would throw it out there.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

If you want to do it the easy way, get a convertible and put the sial panels and rear hatch glass on it and then you will have a Targa T/A.

I have a friend in our Trans Am club with an 86 Trans Am that was converted into a Convertible. His car hasn't buckled in half yet.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

i was one hour away from going through with it when i pulled the plug, 6,500 option on top of the candy paint was a no no for me.

if you do a search, if it still on record, i posted everything i was planning on doing.

structural integrity was a main point; our cars just don't have it and with the design of our cars there was no way to incorporate any existing targa top. so add another 5-600 a piece for each one off targa to fit your design........all in all it was an idea better left for the rediculously rich. in order to make it look perfect it was a very expensive addition.

and just like the pic above i don't think it looks quite right for some reason; but if someone trys it i would love to see it.

RamAirZ

I think I will look into it more and see how much everything will cost, and I might go through with it just for the heck of it. In about a year it will no longer be a daily driver, so I will probably go through with it then. I'll let ya know what I find out.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

Explain to me how a Convertible F-Body works? It is the same body with a brace under the car and probably a brace up near the windshield and doors.

Also, if you can make a T-top car into a convertible, you should be able to make a targa version as well.

I am going to do it to my 86 Trans Am cuz I hate that T-bar.
I just got my extra set of t-tops so I can get some handles.

I'll probably make a glass targa top as well as a metal one to give it that hard top look.

deadbird

I don't think CRX's had any integrity whatsoever but, that didn't stop me from taking a saber saw to mine. Pampered was definatly not something the car was when I drove it either & it never had any problems (until the motor died and I junked it) 'folding up' or doors shutting. Granted they are a lighter, less pwerful car but, they are made out of even more flimsy metal than f-bodies. If you've got the time/patience/tools (or lack that & just have the $$ to throw at it), it's really not that big of a challenge since on a t-top car, well over half the work is already done for you.

stuart69427

aaaaaaaahh... Thats not good, i love camaros and trans ams equally, but confusing the two is a no no

un4givin89

Richie Rich always pissing money everywhere.

1982chevycamaroz28

hey i kinda had i brain fart. what if u remove the whole interor even dash and whatnot. get like some mild steel like a 1/4'' thick or movce if you want and kinda weld it to the inside of the car. kinda like adding a full roll cage but just to the walls and up around the roof and have it all stick welded in for the support. and then add the subframe connectors and then a 6 or 8 point roll cage which ever you desier. because with that extra support all around on the inside it sould strenthen up the body so it doesnt flex much even though u will be addin weight. but then u compensate for that and add some more hp too the engine or if its just goin to be a show car just stick with a v8 like a 305 or 350 which ever you have at the time. well thats just my 2cents.

RamAirZ

Whatever dude, lol. I'm not RICH. I work alot to earn money for my car, and that's all I really am interested in besides my girl. And she enjoys the car also so it works out great. I'm not spending that kinda money on something yet when I can be doing something else to the car. That's why I am waiting until I stop driving it and get my new car. By then I should have money saved up to look into a project like this. :lala: I love that little puff cloud, lol.

kiztope

My question is this....

What is different about a 'vert that keeps it from "folding up"?? You never hear about stuff like that with them.... (at least not that often..)

So where is their structure enhanced?

BlueAlice91bird

Too cool, makes me wish I was an engineer! That would be a kick A mod that you definitely not see much of. Really would like to hear more and lots of specifics on how you would do this.

iceman02

iTrader: (1)

What about Spohn subframe connectors? They look really sturdy and actually put a frame under the car rather than just connecting the two subframes. The pictures make it look like a real frame. Check 'em out on his site. Looks like a lot of work though, if I ever get any, I would get those. Maybe he has an email address and you can ask them if it would provide enough support. As far as putting in a targa top, I wouldn't think it would be that great an improvement over t-tops (unless water leakage if giving you trouble), or maybe you just want something different so people will say "What the hell, how'd you do that?"

Jza

I saw a couple in the junkyard that the owners had made into targa-tops. The tops were always ****ty looking canvas things. The cars themselves seemed okay as far as any "buckling" (and these were wrecked, so...) If you guys have ever actually looked at the t-bar on t-tops, it's easy to imagine that anything with enough force to fold the car up a little, would easily bend that teeny little spot-welded t-bar. I still wouldn't do it personally (and I definitely wouldn't do it without SFCs). Just out of curiostity and for fun once, a buddy and I took a sawzall and cut the t-bar off the middle of a junked Z and jumped up and down in it.

'verts have huge subframe-connector-like tubes riveted along the rocker-panels for reinforcement.

Beene

For all you guys talking about the difference between convertables, the convertables have a different frame design. Also the Convertable conversions, many of which I belive were made by ASC, come with tons of parts designed to strengthen the frame. The other thing to consider if no one is worried about chassis strength is let's say you roll the car. Without a roll cage you're toast because that windshield won't hold you up and you can't just "never roll the car". **** Happens

camaro6spd

whoa...hold the phone.....Convertibles were T-top carsand are a "chop-top" convertible so to say. They were shipped with wood(???)heavy cardboard(????)inplace off the t-tops and hatch. It is true that some added support was put on such as the el cheapo sheet metal bent in the shape of the box. They are the same car but a little extra bracing, SFC would do the job nicly on a targa top car. Add the wonder bar, a STB even better.

It is very hard to roll a f-body....what if i roll......**** HAPPENS, that right, nothing you can do, but when odds are low say **** it, no need to *****-foot though life...have some fun but use your head.

BlueAlice91bird

Wonder Bar / STB?

soulbounder

Personally, I think a targa top would look bad on a f-body. Don't really think it looks good in that photoshopped pic above. I dunno, maybe it would grow on me but t-tops have always been a dream of mine to have. My friend's 84 vette with the targa top is nice, but it would be better if it had tops.

TFM4th

most of the targa tops that i have seen were on cars that were much shorter than most. one of my friends has a targa top on his, i think its a honda civic.. but it dosent look like one... its like a mini car or something... very short

our birds and maros are longer type cars.. in my opinion