cridom

which one is better???????
a hard top or a t -top with sfcs?
i mean the best for performance and noise?

Mark A Shields

There will be less body flex with a hard top. I don't care for the looks of a hard top compared to a t-top though.

There are 12sec 3rd Gens runnin around with t tops. Maybe faster.

SpeedCat86

If you're planning on building a full-on, no interior, power nothing, no-back seat,10 point cage, lexan window race car, then get a hard top. A hard top will be lighter and stiffer (less creaking) than a T-top car.

If you're building a street car, then T-tops aren't going to hurt you.

'Sides, it's fun being able to take the roof off.

87Formula4bbl

AMEN

bad84z

Get the t-tops

TPIterror

Everyone should own at least one t-top car in their lifetime. I did and I'm done with it...leaks and creaks drove me crazy. Now the hardtop suits me just fine!

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

I love my T-Tops.

LastViceRS

T-tops are a compromise. Mine leak sometimes, not that often. I'm getting used to the creaking. I'm planning on installing SFCs to stiffen it up though. But I do enjoy the option of having sun and fresh air. On the flip side, I had a 2nd Gen hardtop T/A. It was a nice solid car, and cornered well stock. It just depends on what you want versus what you will put up with.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

You know that's one interesting thing about my 87TA. It doesn't creak hardly at all. No where near what most F-body owners report. And my T-Tops only leak in a real bad storm and even then only a small amount of water came in on the drivers seat. Maybe I am just lucky. However I really enjoy them. I like being able to see through them when they are on and I like to take them off when the weather is nice enough. I wouldn't have a TA without them. :lala:

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

To answer the original question. I believe if you install SFC's - they'll both be about the same, or at least I think so. I just got my SFC's the other day, so I'll let you know if it makes a difference on my T-top creaks.

TBI305Camaro

I really wish my car was a hardtop. T tops are a pain. They leak, make it much hotter inside the car, with t tops off still real hot unless moving, plus the creaking is horrible. I would rather just have a hard top car and be done with it. Im running no AC and not having t tops would have been alot better. Like i said taking the t tops off really didnt make it cooler and plus the sun in your eyes is no fun.

FormerL69

iTrader: (2)

Hard tops are inherently stiffer than the t-tops, even with SFCs.

SFCs make a huge difference in tightening up t-tops cars. However, t-tops, even with SFCs, will still make some noise.

That said, every one of my Camaros has had Ts and the first mod I did on my most recent one was to install SFCs to keep the flexing down to a minimum. It works.

If you plan on taking the car to the track, get a hardtop. If you're out to cruise -- get Ts with SFCs.

TBI305Camaro

I would rather have the hardtop even for a cruising car. Im about ready to sell my car and start looking for a hardtop Z

SSC

I prefer T-top cars, look cooler, one less place for hail to damage, ads valve to the car, chicks dig em, chicks dig em...........
I'm considering choping my roof and getting a tt roof welded on.
I sure do miss my T-top Camaro, even the rattles.

cridom

i want an iroc 90 or 1991-92 z28 with 350 and i want to get about 300-375 hp no more than that and i want no noise in the car and i want ac.
im not sure about t-tops or not
but the thing is that 91-92 dont come with t-tops (350)
i dunno what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LastViceRS

If you want to produce that much HP, want no noise, and plan to have A/C, I think you've answered your own question. If the car you want isn't available with T-tops and it sounds to me that you don't want to put up with the down side of T-tops, what more is there to think about? T-tops aren't for everyone, I just happen to like mine.

TBI305Camaro

Did I mention I hate T tops? Ive had a t top car for a year and a half and ive maybe took the tops off 3 times...man i hate it its just a pain in the ***

f-crazy

iTrader: (-1)

i got a 91 gta t-top and i love it...although i wanna get a hardtop and a vert lol i gotta have all 3....yea when the tops are in they do make some noise but i can tolerate it....and besides when the tops are out the car doenst make any creaks...cuz it flexes so much lol....the things i like about t-tops is u can cruise at 80 and feel the wind blowing around its just a good feeling kinda like bein free its hard to explain but im sure n e one who has t-tops know waht im talkin about....and when your smokin the wacky backy all ya gotta do is tilt your head back and exhale lol....
but like i said i want 3 thirdgens....my t-top car..a hardtop and a vert...all 91-92 trans ams...i love that body style

i will be putting in a set of SFC's soon and im sure they will make a world of difference.....i really dont think theres a difference between manufactures so the cheapest will do the job

TBI305Camaro

I hate t tops but i dont plan on getting rid of the car so i plan on some subframe connectors...just waiting for a buddy of mine to get his welding equipment. I hope we dont a) burn holes through my car or b) catch it on fire LOL.

FU-Q

i love my T's,
ya they are a pain in the A when it comes to taking them off or putting them on. so it kinda limits it to long distant drives.
ya it takes up space in the hatch area for storage.
but its all worth it.
i don't notice alot of noise (but im probibly so used to it i don't notice it anymore)
plus they look GREAT!

ZZsmpch

iTrader: (1)

what's the problem? Get one of each, works for me.

ChevyGuy87

if you smoke, you won't like taking the t-tops out on the highway. i can't smoke when i'm doing over 45 cuz all the ash manages to find it's way into my eyes

92RSFivePointSlow

Silicon (found in armor-all) shuts up the creaks. I had subframe connectors and the lexan t-tops and i had to wipe all the rubber down every month or so. I also got a cardboard box and outlined the inside of the tops and cut the cardboard to put it under the tops during the summer months- no more greenhouse effect. I sold the car to my friends sister, she needed a car with t-tops. It's a chic thing I guess. Anyway, I encourage you to get one with t-tops, so it makes it easier for me to find a nice hardtop for sale, lol.

The Hog

I am running a T-top car and am tearing up the body seams quite a bit now that the front tires are coming off the ground. I run 2x3 subframe connectors and am still experiencing quite a bit of chassis flex. Add that to my list of wintertime mods I guess...

BrandenCali

I like the Coupe being a solid car, thats what I own now..But I miss the T-top's driving down the freeway and looking up into stars

FU-Q

this is a good example of a car that need to be a hard top.
what you got under that hood?

The Hog

I am running a 630HP 406 sbc plus a 180 shot of spray. Best pass is 9.97 @ 137.58 and It is still street driven. My main problem is that I ran the subframe connectors along the pinch weld on the rocker panels and then tried to tie them into the frame rails with 3"x1/4" steel at the front and back. This setup is simply not sturdy enough and allows quite a bit of chassis flex. Over winter I will be doing some hacking so that my rear trailing arms mount directly to the new 2x3 frame rail that will run directly to the parallel area of the front frame rails. That will also allow me to hack out the last foot and a half of the front frame rails which will give me a ton more tranny and collector clearance. I am also tossing around the idea of converting my 8 point rollbar into a 10 point cage with the front rails extending through the firewall, but I am not quite sure on that part yet. Time will tell....

92Transam

T TOPS!!!!!!!!!!! I love the suckers, Im willing to have sfc and have some reinforcements added like this car
http://www.trans-am.de/e201.html
http://www.trans-am.de/e5613.html
Also didn't the t top cars have optiona shades that could be put in when you did not want the sun to come in?

bad84z

Holy SH*T!!! That car is a beast. Tell me what it looks like so I never try to race you on the street.

The Hog

Here it is.



Ive changed wheels and tires since then but it looks pretty much the same.

bad84z

nice lookin car man.

The Hog

Thanks. Unfortunatly my racing season just ended this weekend and the track is closed. Time to cut the insurance on it and begin the transformation. :lala:

bad84z

what year is that?? That car just looks mean man. It's gotta be one of the quickest camaro's around.

The Hog

Heh Heh, thanks. It's nice to be on a board that can appreciate a nice 3rd gen. My local board is littered with Turbo mustangs and bottle fed civics so it is a nice change here at thridgen.

The car is an 85 Z28. I am hoping that with this winter's modifications I can get it down around 10.5 @130 w/ 1.4 60' on the motor and around 9.4 @140+ w/ 1.3 60' on the bottle. Unfortunatly the track I race on is rather poor, the air always seems to correct at over 3000' and with old worn asphalt traction is fairly difficult.

I am hoping that maybe some time in the middle of the summer I can trailer it up to mission BC and make a few passes there where the air is 25' above sea level and there is concrete to launch on.

Time will tell........

MdFormula350

i like my t-tops, i think i stopped all my leaking..

t-tops are just excellent..

anyway i dont like the feeling of hardtops, i had a 1988 formula 350 and i only got it because i got a deal.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Yes they do. As far as I know all T-Top cars came with the shades from the factory. I know my car did. Also I know for a fact that the fourth gen cars do as well.

Maverick_82

My trans am has t tops. If I have a stressful day at the college, there's nothing more therapeutic than driving home with the tops off. The leaks are menacing but are preventable. I'm researching how to tighten down the tops. Also, the cause of the leaks are because of the factory leaving out the secondary seal, I've been looking into installing the secondary seal myself. T-tops are also a great way to freak people out; my dad hasn't gotten use to the sight of overpasses on the highway zooming overhead, lol.

SpeedCat86

Hmmm...I wonder what the record is for oldest thread brought back from the dead is? Almost 2 years for this one.


P.S:

305q_ta86

iTrader: (1)

Every single one of my cars has been a t-top. And every single one leaks in the carwash. But I ALWAYS enjoy looking up at the sky.

And the other day, just for fun, I moved my seat up real close to the wheel, had the tops off, sat up REAL high in the seat, ontop of my books, and stuck my head out the top and drove across the lot like that. If that isnt fun, I dont know what is. (and there was nobody around, and nothing to hit because it was long after classes that night) :lala:

1crxjeff

Is it posssible to convert your hardtop to t-topS? if so please explain what i need and how.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

I hate t-tops, alot. My friend has (had by now?) a car with a t-top conversion and he hated them too. They leak and rot out the floorpan. Hard top with SFCs is the way to go.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

Ive seen older, crustier threads come back up to the top

1crxjeff

Whats is sfc 's?

92Transam

Sub frame connectors Stiffens up the unibody chassie

1crxjeff

thanks