T-top to hard top conversion?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird with T-Tops
Engine: L03 - 5.0L 305
Transmission: 700R4
T-top to hard top conversion?
I know that it seems like im going in the opposite route of most people on this forum, however. Would it be feasable to turn my t-top car into a hardtop? I plan on using my car to do some track driving. And i dont think that a t-top is safe enough. Would it be reasonable to do this? Or am i bonkers for even thinking about it.
#3
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sault Ste Marie
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1985 Trans-Am
Engine: 305 LG4 4bbl
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Limited Slip
:P Good one! I woudlnt even know where or how to being a t-top to hardtop conversion! lol
-OSS
-OSS
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: N.E. Pennsylvania
Posts: 78
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '89 Formula 350, T-Top
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Stock 3.73's
Keep your T-tops. I have seen 3rd gen cars with roll cage designed for your vehicle. And it also looks cool.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Acworth/Marietta, GA
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Pro 5.0 shifted T56
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73 posi
The cool thing about t-tops is its like a hard top and a convertible in one! Why ruin one of the best features our cars came with?
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: western ny
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '82 formula clone, 95 saab 900se
Engine: 350 vortec'd tbi, 2.0L turbo
Transmission: 700r4, 5 spd
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 2.77 open
i don't think it would be worth your time or your money to do it, just put a cage in and keep the tops
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Dixon IL
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 2013 Challenger RT
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 6 spd
Axle/Gears: 3:92
Originally Posted by Zonda Man
I know that it seems like im going in the opposite route of most people on this forum, however. Would it be feasable to turn my t-top car into a hardtop? I plan on using my car to do some track driving. And i dont think that a t-top is safe enough. Would it be reasonable to do this? Or am i bonkers for even thinking about it.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird with T-Tops
Engine: L03 - 5.0L 305
Transmission: 700R4
alright so an 8-point is strong enough, however what about when i want to run 11's? then dont i have to get a 10-point cage installed?
#12
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Or-eh-gun
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1988 Trans-Am GTA
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: WC-T5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.27
when you swap out that 305 then you can think about adding another two points to your cage
for real though, if you are planning on making the car that fast put a ten point in.
for real though, if you are planning on making the car that fast put a ten point in.
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird with T-Tops
Engine: L03 - 5.0L 305
Transmission: 700R4
Originally Posted by Xophertony
when you swap out that 305 then you can think about adding another two points to your cage
for real though, if you are planning on making the car that fast put a ten point in.
for real though, if you are planning on making the car that fast put a ten point in.
#15
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,120
Likes: 0
Received 123 Likes
on
104 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Originally Posted by mw66nova
you can go as fast as 10.00
Technically, only a 5 point roll bar is the minimum requirement but everyone installs the passenger door bar to make it a 6 point. If the additional bars running under the rear crossbrace from the main hood down towards the driveshaft tunnel, those 2 extra bars make it an 8 point roll bar.
You can have a minimum 8 point roll cage with only main hoop (2 points), 2 rear bars, 2 door bars, 2 a-piller bars and any combination of extra bars after that.
So getting back to your example, you can get away with only a 6 point roll bar down to 10.00 as long as the floor or firewall have not been modified. 9.99 and quicker needs a full cage with the halo and a-piller bars. Tubbing out the rear is not considered floor modification. Cutting out the tranny tunnel and fabricating a larger tunnel, welding it back in is not considered a modification.
Firewall and floor modifications means the firewall has been cut out and moved back so it's not in the original location. If the entire floor has been cut out and new sheetmetal is used to replace it (not factory replacement panels). If a removable transmission access panel is larger than one square foot. These all require a full cage. Unless you're building a full race car, chances are you're not going to fall into this catagory.
#17
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: cleveland ohio
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1991 camaro RS
Engine: CharlesOdoryOB
Transmission: 82513892892
Axle/Gears: pbr disc 3.27 nine bolt
i understand why he would want to swap to a hard top i have a car with aftermarket c&c t-tops all they do is pore the rain in and make tons of noise when driveing but my hard top car is so quite and the body dosnt twist when going over bumps no i know the factory t-tops are a bit stronger but they still arent as quite and as soild as a hardtop car
i will be doing this swap soon ive been in cars with subframes and they only made the t-tops louder
t-tops are only good on really nice days but my ac works and i tend to use it more then the tops out as all i get is sunburn lol
i also prefer the smooth lines of the hardtop
so for me a hardtop swap will solve 3 problems or i could over pay for discontinued top seals "somewhere around 300 for the base seals then 100 more for the 3 other seals"
and hope i never break one of the tops 500 each for c&cs
so needless to say i wouldnt do the swap if these where factory t-tops
but because there are afteremarket it is worth doing the swap for me
i will be doing this swap soon ive been in cars with subframes and they only made the t-tops louder
t-tops are only good on really nice days but my ac works and i tend to use it more then the tops out as all i get is sunburn lol
i also prefer the smooth lines of the hardtop
so for me a hardtop swap will solve 3 problems or i could over pay for discontinued top seals "somewhere around 300 for the base seals then 100 more for the 3 other seals"
and hope i never break one of the tops 500 each for c&cs
so needless to say i wouldnt do the swap if these where factory t-tops
but because there are afteremarket it is worth doing the swap for me
#18
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,123
Received 1,688 Likes
on
1,283 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
It's REAL REAL EASY to turn a T-top car into a hardtop car, in 2 easy steps.
Step 1: Sell T-top car
Step 2: Buy hardtop car
Done.
And the most amazing thing of all is, it works in reverse too!!!
I don't know of any other way that costs any less or works anywhere near as well.
Step 1: Sell T-top car
Step 2: Buy hardtop car
Done.
And the most amazing thing of all is, it works in reverse too!!!
I don't know of any other way that costs any less or works anywhere near as well.
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird with T-Tops
Engine: L03 - 5.0L 305
Transmission: 700R4
I paid $800 for my 1991 firebird, in terrible condition, however, when it comes down to it. $800 is a great price for a unibody without any rust or damage .
#20
Supreme Member
iTrader: (16)
Originally Posted by Zonda Man
I know that it seems like im going in the opposite route of most people on this forum, however. Would it be feasable to turn my t-top car into a hardtop.
When you have the top you desire in you're possession, trim down the areas in which you left the additional material, and as you trim, test fit accordingly. Be very careful not to "over" trim though (this is where experience comes into play). The hardtop (unwelded) can be seated on the stock T-Top bar while you pre-fit it. When both the front, back and sides have lined up properly, either have someone tig-weld it in for you, or do it yourself. Do not weld until you are sure of the fit...
I cannot stress enough that you take proper measurements of everything, before-hand. After the welding is finished, smooth down each and every weld, prime it with paint.
Good luck!
#21
I got a hard top car that im chopping up tomorrow, ill get it at the base of the windshield and the bottom of the sail panels.
If anyone wants the roof its theirs, for the cost of shipping. I live in vancouver bc.
FWIW i just bought a t-top car (500 canadian) and it doesnt leak! 87gta 350, with one spot of rust. (that my other car doesn have), itll be welded in soon.
If anyone wants the roof its theirs, for the cost of shipping. I live in vancouver bc.
FWIW i just bought a t-top car (500 canadian) and it doesnt leak! 87gta 350, with one spot of rust. (that my other car doesn have), itll be welded in soon.
Last edited by Verviticas; 06-25-2006 at 11:27 AM.
#22
Oh, and i'd suggest reinforcement weld in some how so the car doesnt change shape when u cut the top off. i've seen some pretty weird twisting before that no frame shop could ever pull.
#24
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 87 IROC
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: BW 7.75" 3.27
Originally Posted by sofakingdom
It's REAL REAL EASY to turn a T-top car into a hardtop car, in 2 easy steps.
Step 1: Sell T-top car
Step 2: Buy hardtop car
Done.
And the most amazing thing of all is, it works in reverse too!!!
I don't know of any other way that costs any less or works anywhere near as well.
Step 1: Sell T-top car
Step 2: Buy hardtop car
Done.
And the most amazing thing of all is, it works in reverse too!!!
I don't know of any other way that costs any less or works anywhere near as well.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Acworth/Marietta, GA
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Pro 5.0 shifted T56
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73 posi
Easy Ways Convert T-top to Hard Top
1. buy a lottery ticket
2. buy another lottery ticket
3. Sell your kidneys
4. Sell drugs
5. Invest in the stock market, wait 25 years, sell
6. Give up on complicated hopeless solutions, buy a hardtop car
I think number 6 is your best bet....
1. buy a lottery ticket
2. buy another lottery ticket
3. Sell your kidneys
4. Sell drugs
5. Invest in the stock market, wait 25 years, sell
6. Give up on complicated hopeless solutions, buy a hardtop car
I think number 6 is your best bet....
#26
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: cleveland ohio
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1991 camaro RS
Engine: CharlesOdoryOB
Transmission: 82513892892
Axle/Gears: pbr disc 3.27 nine bolt
problem is it seems to be much harder to find a hard top car with all the same options and in the same shape as a t-top car mainly as many hard top cars tended to be be base models .
i wouldnt mind tradeing for hardtop car with the same options around the same miles and also in rust free shape .
but around here the only hard tops are all pos or there 350 z28s and they think there worth 4-6grand in worse shape then my rs so thats why i will most likely end up putting a hard top onto my car .
but thats because someone felt the need to have the the dealer install aftermarket c&c t-tops on my car
i wouldnt mind tradeing for hardtop car with the same options around the same miles and also in rust free shape .
but around here the only hard tops are all pos or there 350 z28s and they think there worth 4-6grand in worse shape then my rs so thats why i will most likely end up putting a hard top onto my car .
but thats because someone felt the need to have the the dealer install aftermarket c&c t-tops on my car
#27
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Hey, i'm in the same boat as you are, I can't seem to find a decent hard top car body to save my life. The wife has been trying to convince me to just find a decent t-top car and swap the top off of my formula (junk frame and other issues, drivetrain/interior is going in the good body if I find one) when I swap everything else.
#28
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: currently Jacksonville NC
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 z28
Engine: 383 sbc, 88mm turbo a2w IC, CSU 750
Transmission: th-400 PTC 4000 stall
Axle/Gears: ford 9" 3.55 gear
2006 NHRA E.T. Quick Reference Chart
and IMO SFC's and a cage, converting to a hard top is probably a bad idea, you're better off buying a hard top roller and swapping the interior and drivetrain from you car into it.
and IMO SFC's and a cage, converting to a hard top is probably a bad idea, you're better off buying a hard top roller and swapping the interior and drivetrain from you car into it.
#30
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 87 IROC
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: BW 7.75" 3.27
Originally Posted by Zonda Man
I plan on using my car to do some track driving. And i dont think that a t-top is safe enough.
----------
Originally Posted by Zonda Man
alright so an 8-point is strong enough, however what about when i want to run 11's? then dont i have to get a 10-point cage installed?
----------
Originally Posted by mw66nova
you can go as fast as 10.00 with a unibody car and an 8pt cage as long as it still has the factory unibody/firewall in place. after 9.99, you'll need a 10pt cage minimum and a competition license.
Last edited by 87IROCZ350TPI; 07-17-2006 at 06:59 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#31
Supreme Member
iTrader: (13)
hehe, yeah, but that chart didn't say anything specific about the cage/bar deal.
technically, it's like this:
13.99-helmet
12.99 and/or slicks-driveshaft loop
11.49-5pt roll bar and 5pt harness
10.99-10pt roll cage on all frame rail cars
9.99-10 pit roll cage on ALL cars (unibody), sportsman license
8.99-funny car cage
7.49 and quicker-25.2sfi cert. double frame rail chassis, pro license.
technically, it's like this:
13.99-helmet
12.99 and/or slicks-driveshaft loop
11.49-5pt roll bar and 5pt harness
10.99-10pt roll cage on all frame rail cars
9.99-10 pit roll cage on ALL cars (unibody), sportsman license
8.99-funny car cage
7.49 and quicker-25.2sfi cert. double frame rail chassis, pro license.
#32
Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 243
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: 2002 LS1
Transmission: 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3:73
there's a guy in the southern ca region of this board selling an '82 T/A coupe body for 100.00 you'd be hard pressed to convert your car for that cheap. even if oyu had to ship it to northern maine, you'd probably still be money, time and stress ahead. If you really want a coupe, that is...
#33
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Methuen, MA
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 tpi
Transmission: t5
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt w/ Richmond 3.42's
Honestly, if anyone knows of someone doing a t-top to hardtop conversion i'd be interested in hearing their experience. While such a swap may not seem practical to most, it would be different to hear from someone who has actually done the conversion. My 87 IROC-Z is in awesome shape and sadly (for me atleast) its a t-top. I have owned the car for several years and it holds a certain sentimental value to me and not to mention that I have too many other priorities on my list (as I'm sure most of us do) to start searching for another rust free IROC-Z that's a 5 speed and has, for the most part, been restored with OEM and performance parts. And who wants to start that again from scratch? I've given some thought about doing this with my car, but its too nice to start hacking up!
By the way, I really, really need to work on posting some pics of my baby!!!!
By the way, I really, really need to work on posting some pics of my baby!!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ambainb
Camaros for Sale
11
04-25-2016 09:21 PM
1Aauto
Sponsored Vendors
0
08-24-2015 03:40 PM