UVA3rdGen

Well the least of my concerns would be structural rigidity becuase weld-in SFC, a strut tower brace and a 6 point roll cage take care of that. I was just wondered how it would look if you could take off the entire top section of the roof similar to targa tops for porsches and the NSX. It would be my main prodject for the summer if I did it. It would also need to be water tight and firmly secured when on. I would cut the roof I already have off and with a lot of clever modifications I was hoping that I could rig it up. Am I crazy or do you think that it could look cool and be worth it on a nice spring day?

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She is not the fastest thing in a straight line but she sure will stick in the turns.
Hawian Orchid X-SCCA showroom stock 2 time national/ 1 time regional (not with me driving) champ 1LE 92 Z-28

-suspension parts include koni reds, eibach racing springs, weight-jacks, relocated control arms, and the list goes on for suspension; Port & polished TPI system sitting on top a fully blueprinted, balanced and matched race built 305; centerforce II clutch; custom 3.4 auburn rear, custom dual cat exhuast with hooker aerochamber muffler; 1LE fuel pump and gas tank; SS track baer braking system; griffin aluminum radiator; 6 point bolted roll cage with 5 point harnesses; pioneer speaker system; sparco seats, just about as light as you can get a weekly driven 3rdgen.

Mongoose

iTrader: (2)

There is more than likely a kit out there to do this mod. The local Pontiac dealer had a T/A back in 84 that had such a conversion done. Results looked great. Probably your best bet would be to find a place that does sunroofs and go from there.

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Mongoose-NCTGA-1990 Pontiac Formula/305 TBI-700R4 with Edelbrock Performer TBI intake,TES headers,and STB,K&N,MSD-6AL,Holley laser shot coil,Accel Extreme 9000 wires,Jet Stage 2 chip,TCI shift kit with corvette servo,Richmond 3.73 gear with Auburn 3 series posi,no cat,SLP 3" cat back,Eibach sportline springs,Energy Suspension poly throughout,Lakewood LCA and adjustable panhard bar package,SSM subframe connectors,IROC wonder bar,Tokico 5 way adjustable struts and shocks,Autometer electric fuel pressure gauge,Alpine,JL Audio,MB Quart,92 GTA taillights,92 GTA aero wing and hatch,Steve Spohn LCA relocater kit,MacEwen White face gauges,84 T/A cold air induction air cleaner.

UVA3rdGen

Seriously? Sweet, I have never heard of that mod. I am sure a shop would charge an arm and a leg for it. It would be just like t-tops but just all the way across. Does anyone have any really detailed pics of the exterior and interior roof of a car with t-tops with the interior trim removed?

deadbird

If I had a scanner I'd show you some pics of my crx I did that to (but never got to finish). It take a d-mn sraight hand to cut a straight line all the way across a roof.
I'd suggest you go to a junkyard to get a few measurements from the windshield so you can cut the roof out as close to the lines the factory t-tops are at.
Basically, you will need everything (including cutting the t-top weather-strip gutter/roof support out) from a t-top car except the glass and the headliner to make it look factory and make it easier to lock in. You will also have to find someway of reinforcing the cutout without distorting the shape of it as a good breeze (or high speed) will want to take it away. I could rattle on I guess but you get the idea I suppose
I know my crx caught alot of attention, even though I never was able to finish it, because they were never(that I know of) made with a targa top to start with,, and it was sweet on warm days.
Oh yea,, targa tops are a little harder to store in the back of the car too


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Da Boid

- 4 out of 5 people think the 5th is an idiot

bigrobb

I know somebody that did whut I think you're talking about. He called it a callifornia top or something. It was a t-top car w/t bar removed and a nice custom piece to go where tops did go (2 bad it was vinyl on top). Interior was smooth. He sold it or I'd send a pic.

Definantly looks cool, and not many are doing it. I'm gonna, but oh well.

Tonyrodz

Once when I was stripping an Iroc w/T's I cut the center T-bar out--the car just about bent in--looked like a U. Make sure you re-inforce whatever you do!

kiztope

I was talking about this a long time ago! If you do it, be sure to take pictures of the whole thing!

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http://kiztope.50megs.com
92 Rs 3.1/T-5
KYB Shocks and Struts, Blue Streak cap and rotor, neato new radiator!, RapidFire plugs

An overhead console!!
Clarion Head Unit,
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.....
Its slowly but surely coming along....

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UVA3rdGen

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I was thinking about building a big jig to basically make sure I cut straight across...4inch nuematic cutting disc to wussy? My main problem would be welding inside the car, i would have to cover the entire car in a leather type of material tarp. Well that is not the real main problem, the real main problem is matching the curvature of the roof for the custom made trim i will have to fabricate for the top to sit on and fasten to when on. Also what would I put on the edges to prevent rust and stop any sharp edges? I really need to see what t-tops look like. Does anyone drive a thirdgen with t-tops in Charlottesvilles VA, Manakin-sabbot area of richmond or vienna VA?

Zant69

I swear the following is true:
I have an old Simon and Simon (remember that show?) on tape because I was flipping through and saw their car,... a red early 80's Z28 with the silver ground fx and the Z28 15" rims. I also noticed that it had a "targa" top like You're talking about. It was off in the scene I have taped and it goes all the way across the top. Like T-tops but no T! hehe..
Anyway, just to let You know that at some point they WERE made. Looked really cool, too! Maybe You could do a search on Simon and Simon, or something... somebody's got to know....

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Everything I know I learned by messing it up at least once.

GeneralHazzard

my friend has a 86 vette like that. i think the vettes came with them alot but they were called removable tops or something i think. looking at one of them would help give you ideas for how to make it latch and rim and whatnot. just a idea

deadbird

Use a fixed saber saw to cut the roof
and damp towels covering the interior will work just fine.

812MANY

I'd use a Sawzall to cut the roof out (remember- measure 10 times cut once).

You should be able to use a set of T-top latches to secure it and maybe an extra latch in the middle (like the vettes).

Good luck,

John

Z28Maniac

I posted this exact thing on 3rdgen.org last week. Several people seemed to think that structural rigidity would suffer, but most felt it wouldn't be any worse than a convertable. I really want to do this mod also! I knew a guy who had a targa top made for his S-10 so I know it can be done.

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John
'85 Z28 TPI 305

UVA3rdGen

Ok guys fill me in here, my buddy is the big machinist not me, what is a sawzall and what is a sabersaw(anything like a recipricating saw?) Are the electric or pnuematic

Christos

You know, i saw a camaro in denver with a targatop, i just thought they must have made a few. i was driving on the highway, and didnt have too much time to look, but it looked cool.

i myself like the t-tops. girls love the fact they can look through the top of the car. heaven forbid my lazy *** actually take them off.... gotta remember to do that...

sheet outta luck

are you really plannin on cuttin' up a 92 1LE?!?!?

UVA3rdGen

Yep, i went through a phase were I was big on not changing anything from when she raced, now I have decided since I plan on holding on to her till the day she or I die(which ever come first, highly probible that it will happen simaltaniously) that I might as well do what ever I want to her aslong as I enjoy it. Besides, only adds to the uniqueness of the car.

deadbird

saber saw (jig saw, bayonet saw,etc,,)

this is a portercable fixed bayonet saw,, the others are similar

sawzall



[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited December 16, 2000).]

deadbird

oops.. dbl post


[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited December 16, 2000).]

UVA3rdGen

sweet, that is what I figured. What kind of blade would you recommend? A medium grade teeth set for ferrious metals? I have never cut a roof, how thick a steel is it? If it is anything like the rest of the car it will be far from a problem. I also need to get my hands on some t-top latches to see how to rig that up. If anyone beats me to this prodject before the spring/summer and looks this up on the archives please contact me and let me know how it went.

[This message has been edited by UVA3rdGen (edited December 16, 2000).]

deadbird

Most body panels are made from 20 gauge metal,, not a problem to cut,, but you have to be careful. Because the metal is so thin,, it can snag on the blade and ruin what you are doing by stretching it (blade pulls/pushes a dent into what you are cutting) you'd want a blade that is 22-26 tpi(teeth per inch) and a bi-metal blade will do the trick,, I certainly wouldn't suggest the sawzall,, but to each their own.

UVA3rdGen

I agree 100%, I just thought they did not make jig saws beefy enough, i think that is just becuase the one i have is a wussy wood one. YES, excuse to get a new tool.
edit: wow deadbird, i just checked out your site, looks like you have done a lot of body work. I like what you have done with her.

[This message has been edited by UVA3rdGen (edited December 16, 2000).]

kiztope

Do it yet?

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http://kiztope.50megs.com
92 Pontiac Firebird Formula WS6 5.7/A4
K&N, Blue Streak Cap and Rotor, strange unknown exhaust system (sounds good though)...
Mods are in direct proportion to income!

92 Rs 3.1/T-5
Beautiful car, many mods, but now I am turning attention to the 'bird!

AIM : Theonekiztope
ICQ: 8787542

"Maybe one day life will take a turn. When it does Lean into it!" Leon Calrinsky (98)

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

Here you go,



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WS6 Trans Am.

View My Ride @ thirdgen.org

jobryan26

They use Die Grinders and Metal Sheers(air powered) to do convertibles and targa tops on trucks because the ones above would moves up and down which would kink and bend the metal. A friend of mine cut the top off his truck using a Circular Saw and a Metal Cut-Off Blade like what Die Grinders use. He first put tape on the roof about an 8inch width in the areas where the cutting was going to be which kept the paint from chipping and scratching it with the bottom of the saw. Then he drawed the lines where he wanted to cut. Removed the Headliner and Dome Light and wires that would be in the way. Then cut off the roof by following the lines he drawed on the tape.

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See my Ride:
https://www.thirdgen.org/rides/index...ew&rideid=1324

[This message has been edited by jobryan26 (edited November 22, 2001).]

MaroonZ28

i remember this topic a while ago zepher Photoshoped that picture, but it looks pretty good.it would be a cool concept though, but time consuming and worring 2 suport the roof

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goin on 16 and i want a 3rd gen!
~cars~
1991 camaro z28
(will be mine soon hopfully)
1967 mustang gt fastback
(mine&dads)
1968 Shelby cobra gt500kr
(dads)
goto 4 pics
my_cars

okfoz

I would think a well re-inforced T-top car would be alot better canidate for this. Welded Subframe connectors, etc. From what I have read, some of the Convertible cars were originally a T-top car. A hardtop car would be sooo much more difficult.

I should try cutting off the centerbar from my 83 T/A parts car & se what happenes to that rustbucket...

John

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G O D BLESS AMERICA

http://www.3rdgenformula.com
87 Formula 5.1 TPI Auto Modified (Yellow/Black)

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

14.8sec 1967 Buick Riviera
1990 Buick Riviera (driver)
83 Camaro
83 T/A

kiztope

All the 'verts were original t-top cars....

You ought to try it! See what it really looks like...


I would think that a set of SFC's would solve the chassis flex problem...

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http://kiztope.50megs.com
92 Pontiac Firebird Formula WS6 5.7/A4
K&N, Blue Streak Cap and Rotor, strange unknown exhaust system (sounds good though)...
Mods are in direct proportion to income!

92 Rs 3.1/T-5
Beautiful car, many mods, but now I am turning attention to the 'bird!

AIM : Theonekiztope
ICQ: 8787542

"Maybe one day life will take a turn. When it does Lean into it!" Leon Calrinsky (98)

german-motorsport

no guessing here members!
The top was even on a us tv series!
We found the original report on how to do it !
The company converting the early 3 gens did show how to do it in a great mag session!
Send an e-mail for a copy!
It´s always nice fishing thru our own libary,,,hahaha!

www.camaro-firebird.de



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www.camaro-firebird.de

camaro6spd

I don't think that it would be that hard....I am not sure but If you caould take the Glass off the T-Tops and just have the plastic part with the latch and all you could make put them in and take measurments of how far aprart the are and make up a piece of cardbard that fits in the opening and use that as a model and make a sheet of fiberglass, then use reiforcing tips from fiber hood and attach that too the T-Top latches and there you have it....you would just have to make it stong enough not to bend up in the middle to make a good seal....maybe inlay so metal? I dunno I don't work with fiberglass.

here are some photos from another topic going on......





[This message has been edited by camaro6spd (edited November 30, 2001).]

deadbird

Hey guys,, while the topic is cool and a future plan for my beater camaro, I didn't post on the other forum to confuse anyone. The 1st pic the cam6speed posted is a PSP'd pic of my bird (for example only) and the 2nd pic posted is the roof section the I really did cut out of my crx I had. The 2 pics have no corrolation. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding it caused in the other post I replied to.

To note though, making a car a taga top it's not hard at all if you have a somewhat foggy idea of what you want to do & a little understanding of metal. That what all I was pointing out w/the PSP'd pics. I posted. Sorry if I misled anyone.

camaro6speed,, if I could ask you, would you mind editing your post to remove the '[img]' off the angelcities pic (the cutout one) so it's not hyper-linking the image and just making it an http link. (I've been on thier bad side once before,,long story,,,) Thanks bud
------------------[*]my Formula Homepage [*]Collision P/Ns & Diagrams

"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach
you to keep your mouth shut."

[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited November 30, 2001).]

okfoz

The problem I am seeing is, how to connect the T-tops, or make a section that would find in the area.

It MIGHT be possible to take T-tops, get a piece of Plex, have it formed into the correct shape. Then bond the two ends onto the plex, use some sort of re-inforcmement like the plastic t-tops use & let it go at that.

I would think it would be wise to have some sort of hook on the front & rear somehow to keep the tops in in the middle.

OR, get this idea, Take your existing T-tops, Glass or plastic, & bond a metal center strip on them. On the centerstip have some sort of latching mechanism on the underside to clamp to the body, like Convertible clamps to pull it down. That might be a better idea... It MIGHT even be possible to use your original Black T-bar piece that screws to the body...

just thinking out loud here guys...

John