86IROC305

I have the option of buying a complete 89 firebird convertable for $1000 the car is really nice, but had some major damage to the right fender area and pushed the corner of the firewall were the windshied meets about 1/4 in back. The guy got qouted about $2000 to fix it, so I was considering buying it for parts.

I want to know how hard it would be to convert my 86 T-top Iroc to a convertible and how much would I look to spend for this project ?

88 WS6 TransAm GTA

iTrader: (1)

Its not all that hard, especially beings that you have a donor car. All of the convertibles out there today started life as t-top cars, before they were sent to ASC for the final conversion. You just have to make the cuts in the right spaces, weld the proper supports in there, and REINFORCE THE FRAME. Thats the major part of doin it, is making sure the frame is very rigid.
Good luck!

brian89transam

I have another question a little like this. Is there any way you can modify the T bar from a t-top car so you can remove it and then put it back in without much trouble? I would like to make it possible to remove the bar and the t-tops, sort of like the corvette's removable glass top. Just an idea.

88 WS6 TransAm GTA

iTrader: (1)

The targa top is also possible, but again, frame reinforcment is a mojor issue. The T-bar is part of the accual frame, and is spot welded in. It would mostlikley be easier to remove it, and have a custom glass top made, as opposed to reusing it. Granted the glass would probably be expensive, but it would be pretty nice.

okfoz

I have thought about this, and it might be possible to do what your wanting, maybe...

KEEP IN MIND that These are my thoughts ONLY and have not done this but it might jsut work

I picked up a pair of trashed plastic T-tops from a salvageyard for $20 for the pair.

After you weld a good set of frame connectors, you would cut the center bar out of the car. Pretty straight forward so far...

Once you have the car re-inforced and center piece out, you would take your t-tops and remove the glass, then you will have to have a piece of plexiglas or lexan made into the combination of both your T-tops.

You will have to fill in the gap where your seals do not touch with something like silicone.

You would be well off to make clamps to clip the front and the rear of the single piece top in the middle, its a long span, and it would most assuredly bend & warp from wind.

I would even recommend making metal strips on the front and the back of the top to re-inforce it, and give it some extra stiffness..

re-work a t-top headliner with some fiberglass. (re-cover the headliner with material...

do some finishing touches...

it should work in theory, but like most things, until you try something the world will never know...

hope that helps...

John

Wolfpack

I was wondering if there is a website or post somewhere that gives the info for this Mod? I would love to change my T-top iroc to a Convertible. Thanks

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

My suggestion is to rebuild or repair the convertible "donor" car rather than trying to swap the parts. Here's why. Many of the pieces are either welded in place or glued with industrial grade adhesives. It would be a real PITA to get these out easily. If you were succesfull in removing them without damaging them, you lack a few things ASC had. One: Proper jigs and fixtures to assure correct alignment of the pieces while welding or glueing them in place. Two: You lack the application specifications and list of vendors for the adhesives used. I suggest you strip and sell the parts or repair the 'vert instead.

okfoz

One of my ex girlfirends dads worked for C&C when they did the Rustang Convertible conversions back in the late 80's early 90's. He said they would put the cars on a rack and twist them until they broke the car, literlly, then they would weld up all the spots where they broke it, then install the reinforcements.

I doubt ASC did this, but if they did, I imagine most of us do not have the tools to do such.

John

tanager11

I agree 100% with lonsal!