Auto Detailing and AppearanceTips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.
Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!
i think they look really good off, or on a black/gray car, but other than that i think they look bad. the leaking really isnt that bad if you have good seals
I agree that the ttops only look good on black or dark gray cars.. But it seems like it could be slightly easy to breaking into.. Dont know how strong they are though
I like the look of no t-tops better.. So thats why i got a camaro without them.. I also heard some bad stories about ttops leaking and stuff.
i had a 85Z, a 2000Z and now a 98 Camaro, and all have had ttops...I had a 92 and a 82 with hardtops and hated em...
ttops are great in nice weather and on long drives with a little rumble in the seat...they dont leak if you take care of the weather stripping and dont abuse the edges where they fit in...
also, my ttops lock into the body, so its not easy to break into my car at all. once they lock, thats it. cant get them out without a key
i had a 85Z, a 2000Z and now a 98 Camaro, and all have had ttops...I had a 92 and a 82 with hardtops and hated em...
ttops are great in nice weather and on long drives with a little rumble in the seat...they dont leak if you take care of the weather stripping and dont abuse the edges where they fit in...
also, my ttops lock into the body, so its not easy to break into my car at all. once they lock, thats it. cant get them out without a key
ive gotta agree, when they are out they are niceee, and also that there is no way it makes the car easyer to break into, the window is easyer to break than the tops as well as the the tops lock in very well
T-Tops all the way. I prefer t-tops driving to convertable driving.
As for weakness... I dont care if you have a t-top, vert or hardtop, sub frame connectors should be one of your first mods in my opinion anyway...sort of takes care of that. Ill challenge you to notice ANY body flex or give in my TA.
Ditto on taking care of the seals. Mine are 100% leak free on my 33,000 mile car. And were about 80% leak free in my 80,000 mile 87. I had new GM seals for it...and wrecked it before I was able to put em in.
As for breaking in... You can pull our side windows out away from the body with little to no effort. I doubt anyone would utilze the t-tops to break in when there are much easier methods.
The hardtops arent without their faults... They get that annoying crack at the top of the b-pillar.
Its all about preference though. I have t-tops shades, and when Im in the car, I feel like Im in a hard top. In the winter, I remove the shades, and the sun keeps my seats warm even if its freezing outside.
Would I own a hardtop? No. Unless it was a killer deal and a perfect car. Like I said...its all about preference.
J.
__________________
ARE shortblock, Ross custom boost pistons, arp rod bolts, ARE ported oil pump,
MTI 2e 5.3L ported heads milled .030 with double springs,
228/224 113+1 Comp XE-R, Cloyes adjustable timing chain, LS6 valley cover,
fast 90mm intake, NW 90mm throttle body, SVO 30lb injectors, 85mm MAF,
ASP underdrive pulley, 160* t-stat, stainless LT headers 1.75" primaries
When I was looking for my car T-tops was a must have. I didn't even look at hardtops since I may have talked myself into buying one that was nice, and then always wished I'd bought the T-top. T-tops is one of the iconic things about these cars, Trans Ams in particular IMHO. You can get a hardtop in any car
T-Tops all the way. I prefer t-tops driving to convertable driving.
As for weakness... I dont care if you have a t-top, vert or hardtop, sub frame connectors should be one of your first mods in my opinion anyway...sort of takes care of that. Ill challenge you to notice ANY body flex or give in my TA.
Ditto on taking care of the seals. Mine are 100% leak free on my 33,000 mile car. And were about 80% leak free in my 80,000 mile 87. I had new GM seals for it...and wrecked it before I was able to put em in.
As for breaking in... You can pull our side windows out away from the body with little to no effort. I doubt anyone would utilze the t-tops to break in when there are much easier methods.
The hardtops arent without their faults... They get that annoying crack at the top of the b-pillar.
Its all about preference though. I have t-tops shades, and when Im in the car, I feel like Im in a hard top. In the winter, I remove the shades, and the sun keeps my seats warm even if its freezing outside.
Would I own a hardtop? No. Unless it was a killer deal and a perfect car. Like I said...its all about preference.
J.
i've had both.. i like my ttops when i feel like takin them off and putting them into the BAG, lmao.. but its nice when you don't have a/c :P a little bit of flex is okay
I used to own an 89 RS and the t-tops were a constant pain with the leaking. I had new seals and pampered them but on a daily driver that sat outside they didn't have a chance. When I bought my Formula I prefered the hardtop because the t-top cars I looked at had rust in the floor pans. I enjoyed them out when I had them and would have taken them in my current ride that isn't my daily driver but I am quite happy that the current project is a hardtop.
I used to own an 89 RS and the t-tops were a constant pain with the leaking. I had new seals and pampered them but on a daily driver that sat outside they didn't have a chance. When I bought my Formula I prefered the hardtop because the t-top cars I looked at had rust in the floor pans. I enjoyed them out when I had them and would have taken them in my current ride that isn't my daily driver but I am quite happy that the current project is a hardtop.
only time i see them leak from 1986 are when i go through the pressure washer car washes.
I love my T-tops and wouldn't have bought a third gen without one. I love taking them out for the drive home from work with the satellite radio blasting. By the time I'm home, I've forgotten whatever had been making me PO'd at work. I was originally looking for an 86-89 bird, but had a terrible time finding one in decent shape with T-tops. Seems like T-top Camaros were much easier to find. I have three cars (76 Corvette, 89 Corvette and and 85 Z28) and none of them are hardtops.
I love my hardtop. It's sleek and has a great shape to it. If I feel the need for t's - I have a friend with an 02 TA with T's and enjoy cruising with him sometimes with the t's off and windows down. That said, I'd never trade my hardtop for t's.
I like my ttops. They only leak under heavy rain but it isnt bad. My windshield leaks more than my ttops. I like how they look especially on a dark car.
We had a red 92 that had them, when we sold the car at 187000 miles they had never leaked in the 5 years we had it. Jen loved em, I hated them. It was her car so they got taken most every day. That car was/is in way better shape than my 89 non T-top car and I would have kept her car for myself and sold mine if it wasn't for those T-tops.
I don't want T-tops or a convertible, I can't stand wind noise and don't like the sun beating down on me. Even with the mods on my car I still have full working a/c.
__________________ 1989 Camaro RS, 383 cid, Holley Stealth Ram, ,30# injectors,4" Custom MAF, Comp Cams 280 XFI roller, 1.6 roller rockers, T5 World Class, 3.73 gear.
For all you Air Purification needs, http://www.cleanairwater.net
I love my t top car, no leaks except in very hard rain, and then it's just a drip or two. Compared to all the hard top cars I have rid in, T tops are the way to go!!!
I have both...86 with T Tops and 92 without...my TTops don't leak and I like them off if the weather allows it...but I also like the hardtop...I just go by the mood I am in....interesting that the 5th gen does not have a TTop option...I guess GM did not want the hassell...my was nice with the top down but was too wind noisy but I am thinking of buying the 2011 covertable 5th gen so hopefully GM has improved in that area
__________________ 69 Camaro SS Indy Pace Car convert
86 Camaro Sports Coupe
88 Camaro IROC Z28 Convertible
92 Camaro RS 25th Anniversary 2nd place Best Interior - "09 3rd Gen Fest 1st place Best Interior - '08 3rd Gen Fest 3rd place Camaro Modified - '08 3rd Gen Fest
Last edited by 86NiteRider; 08-31-2008 at 10:29 AM.
I own a t-top now and had a hardtop a while back. I love my t-tops. In the hardtop I had, I felt boxed in. T-tops give that extra head room and more light inside(great at night) and it seems like there is more room overall. Mine dont leak unless it rains for a couple days and then its just a couple drips. Still its preference for the owner.
i was looking for a t-top before i bought my hard top. but my ride had everything i wanted except the t's. and i couldnt let it pass me by. so yeah especially in sunny southern cali a little sun on your face is COOL!
It all depends on what you want the car for. If you want to build up a beast, I would vote hardtop. If you want a daily driver to cruise around in with utmost comfort in nice, warm weather... ttops are the way to go.
I bought my 86 Trans Am (hardtop) and I WISH it had ttops. If I get the chance to buy a ttop Camaro, especially an IROC, I'll go broke before I let that it escape. I've always wanted one, and damnit, someday I will. lol.
So my vote is ttops, but you just have to watch out for the leaks if you're going to have it sitting outside in the weather 24/7. Not to say they all leak, but most of these cars have been used and abused to the point that the owners no longer have interest in them, so some of them are going to leak, some aren't. Just depends on how well the car was taken care of.
my 1984 z28 has t-tops, i love them, they don't leak if taken care of right, and you can always see that green light turn no matter how far up on the crosswalk your not suppose to be! haha. and they look good too, well, at least on my camaro, which is black lol
my 1984 z28 has t-tops, i love them, they don't leak if taken care of right, and you can always see that green light turn no matter how far up on the crosswalk your not suppose to be! haha. and they look good too, well, at least on my camaro, which is black lol
I just bought a 86 with t-tops and the main reason why I decided on a 3rd gen camaro cuz it was the best looking car that offered t tops. I hate ragtops and a moonroofs just wasn't enough so I love 'em. Even looked at a couple 91-92 (best looking g-fx and rear spoiler) but decided against because they didn't offer them with the 350. As far as leakin, a lil but WELL worth it in my opinion!!!
My first third gen was a 1985 firebird. It did not have t-tops.
My second third gen was a 1983 camaro. It did not have t-tops, but had an aftermarket sun roof, which leaked with heavy rain. I liked the sun roof.
My third third gen was a 1991 camaro. It had t-tops. I loved them, no leaks.
When I was looking for another third gen, I had a few things that I knew I wanted. I wanted a 350, AT and t-tops.
I can understand people not wanting the t-tops, my current ones leak, not in the rain, but from high pressure like from washing the car, they leak mostly where they meet up with the windows.
i have had both but i personally love t-tops. Mine do leak when being washed but thats ok ill fix it. I have had both but i still think t-tops are sweet when cruising on a nice summer afternoon.
__________________
1979 Z28, 361 Stroker (350 .60 Over), Built TH350, 3000 stall and shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 40 series exhaust with x pipe. http://www.cardomain.com/id/19CAMARO85
Like he said, darker cars are more appealing, though i bet red wouldn't look have bad with tinted t-tops. Its incrediably fun to race around with the t-tops off. especially if you got gurls in the car, they like to sit up high in the camaro haha, thats just me tho, young and wild
Like he said, darker cars are more appealing, though i bet red wouldn't look have bad with tinted t-tops. Its incrediably fun to race around with the t-tops off. especially if you got gurls in the car, they like to sit up high in the camaro haha, thats just me tho, young and wild
Yea the red does look good. I love the look of them
Its incrediably fun to race around with the t-tops off. especially if you got gurls in the car, they like to sit up high in the camaro haha, thats just me tho, young and wild
It might be, cause I don't recall doing that in my TA.
haha girls wanting to ride in the third gen, AND race around? i'm extra lucky if they want to get in at all, they ride in it, but they dont like it. even my sister doesnt want to, and she has a mustang w/ flowmasters, shift kit, so she appreciates cars atleast (cept the ford part...) but my camaro is loud, rough ride, not a "new mustang or supra... ." and its not like my car is a beater, its a very well built, 75k mile 91 z28 with c5s, cold a/c, clean and everything. ive just come to realize the majority (not all!) of girls do not give a rats a$$ what kinda car it is, all they can tell is its not comfortable like a new car, extra gay.
haha girls wanting to ride in the third gen, AND race around? i'm extra lucky if they want to get in at all, they ride in it, but they dont like it. even my sister doesnt want to, and she has a mustang w/ flowmasters, shift kit, so she appreciates cars atleast (cept the ford part...) but my camaro is loud, rough ride, not a "new mustang or supra... ." and its not like my car is a beater, its a very well built, 75k mile 91 z28 with c5s, cold a/c, clean and everything. ive just come to realize the majority (not all!) of girls do not give a rats a$$ what kinda car it is, all they can tell is its not comfortable like a new car, extra gay.
haha girls wanting to ride in the third gen, AND race around? i'm extra lucky if they want to get in at all, they ride in it, but they dont like it. even my sister doesnt want to, and she has a mustang w/ flowmasters, shift kit, so she appreciates cars atleast (cept the ford part...) but my camaro is loud, rough ride, not a "new mustang or supra... ." and its not like my car is a beater, its a very well built, 75k mile 91 z28 with c5s, cold a/c, clean and everything. ive just come to realize the majority (not all!) of girls do not give a rats a$$ what kinda car it is, all they can tell is its not comfortable like a new car, extra gay.
people need to understand.. regardless of the car, if its fast what's it matter what kinda car it is.. maybe it's an ugly *** pinto but yet has a blower sticking out of the hood and is pink.. i would drive that everyday.. i dont care.. it would be cool as hell.
for sure
----------
with xflgkingpin* and the guy who posted at the same time as me, just like to point out they were talking about totally different things
Last edited by sailtexas186548; 09-04-2008 at 07:30 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Yep Yep...^^ And if a grl dont like it well move to the next one. eventually you'll find one that does. I had an 02 eclipse with gfx rims u know the whole sha-bang my jr year chicks liked it but it doesn't hold much waiver. I pick up just as many if not more in the camaro. Its not your car its ur game!!
exactly my point.. i would love to paint my car pink.. just so i could go around saying "oh by the way didnt you just get beat by a pink trans am?" lmao would be 1000x's times more humorous
haha girls wanting to ride in the third gen, AND race around? i'm extra lucky if they want to get in at all, they ride in it, but they dont like it. even my sister doesnt want to, and she has a mustang w/ flowmasters, shift kit, so she appreciates cars atleast (cept the ford part...) but my camaro is loud, rough ride, not a "new mustang or supra... ." and its not like my car is a beater, its a very well built, 75k mile 91 z28 with c5s, cold a/c, clean and everything. ive just come to realize the majority (not all!) of girls do not give a rats a$$ what kinda car it is, all they can tell is its not comfortable like a new car, extra gay.
Haha, i don't know where you come from, but for im only 17 with a mildly built camaro that eats up most other cars around here, chicks like to brag that they ridden in the camaro. and they like cruizing in it and the way it sound when i stomp it. the t-tops help (<-- thought i should tried and KINDA stay on the subject)
and like someone said above, its about your game, and how you drive the 3rdgen haha
Oh and about the pink trans am, lol, i would be hilarious but incedibly...... how would you put this,......feminine, but funny at the same time
"Haha, i don't know where you come from, but for im only 17 with a mildly built camaro that eats up most other cars around here, chicks like to brag that they ridden in the camaro. and they like cruizing in it and the way it sound when i stomp it. the t-tops help"
hahahahahahhahaha where is this place? they brag? are you effing serious?
I've had a lot of "those third-gen's are sex on wheels" and with the girl on your right side and the t-tops off, it makes statements like that so much true.
I love my T-tops (even though I find them a pain to take off and put back on.) mine hasnt leaked (yet) me and three of my friends that owns camaros (in this town) love T-tops, and if I get another camaro, I'm getting one with T-tops again.
i think that just overall, t-tops rock. tho true, it can be rather annoying when you want to take them off but say you arn't at your house, you have to put them in the back seat, and thats just a pain haha
Last edited by 10secondhopeful; 09-05-2008 at 02:54 PM.
i think that just over, t-tops rock. tho true, it can be rather annoying when you want to take them off but say you arn't at your house, you have to put them in the back seat, and thats just a pain haha
Most T-Top come with the t-top slips that are fastened in the hatch that you slide them into for safe keeping while you're driving. If you don't have them, I'm sure you can get a set off of eBy or something. They are very convenient for t-top owners.
i always understood the t-top cars to be a little weaker is there any truth to that? 
." and its not like my car is a beater, its a very well built, 75k mile 91 z28 with c5s, cold a/c, clean and everything. ive just come to realize the majority (not all!) of girls do not give a rats a$$ what kinda car it is, all they can tell is its not comfortable like a new car, extra gay. 
Amen brother. 
