Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
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!
is it possible to add a t-top roof to a car that doesnt have ttops? i figure all i have to do is cut at the bottom of the A pillers and then cut out where the factory quarter panels are welded at. has anyone done this? i work at at a body shop and have access to all tools needed. i just wantt o know if there is something that wont fit before i go ahead and cut my roof off.
First off T-tops are not worth the pain. They look cool to other peopel, but they are too much of a pain taking them off and putting them on, I never use them really even though my car came with them....plus it be very expensive and time consuming to add t-tops in.
------------------
89 camaro 305 tbi, flomaster 3 chamber cat back, gutted cat, Edlebrock open element, and a 160 degree T-stat. 2 kicker comp 12"'s, polk for the rest. Phoenix gold xs2300 to subs, kicker impulse 404XI to 4 speakers, pioneer DEH- P7000R head unit, and finally a 12 disc changer. Full leather interior from www.MrMikes.com(its nice)
my car has aftermarket ttops, in 1988 350s didnt come stock with them, so the original owner got them installed , so it is possible to do.. you might try calling a dealer and asking for the company they used to install them and refer your question to them..
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ron rizzotti: my car has aftermarket ttops, in 1988 350s didnt come stock with them, so the original owner got them installed , so it is possible to do.. you might try calling a dealer and asking for the company they used to install them and refer your question to them..</font>
Hey Boss,
My '88 with 350TPI is sitting right out in the driveway and last time I checked it had T-tops in it, and it came that way straight from GM. '90 and newer 350's were not available with T-tops.
Seriously, if it means that much to you, you should trade your car for one with T-tops. The stock T-tops can be leak prone enough, I'd hate to see what kind of problems you would encounter with a different roof that you grafted on.
i have this 91 z28 that i got for change and it has mods already. i really don't want to part with it. it is my project car but if you guys think its to much then i wont bother. i have had 5 fbodys and at his is the first one with the ttops so yo usee why i want then it is somthing that has grown on me.. it use to be a friends car and he was going to junk it.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 88Roc350TPI: Hey Boss,
My '88 with 350TPI is sitting right out in the driveway and last time I checked it had T-tops in it, and it came that way straight from GM. '90 and newer 350's were not available with T-tops.</font>
check the rpo codes, if it is then your car is real rare, BOSS.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by dtpmike: First off T-tops are not worth the pain. They look cool to other peopel, but they are too much of a pain taking them off and putting them on, I never use them really even though my car came with them....plus it be very expensive and time consuming to add t-tops in. i agree with this guy... they are BIG pain in the *** to take off and then put back on!! i only take mine off on REALLY hot days and even then it f******* anoying!!! if i had access to all that equipment id do a convertible conversion!! automatic and looks a hell of alot better!!!
</font>
------------------
89 firebird formula
356 10.5:1compression
comp cams xe262 cam
performer rpm intake
#1405 edlebrock 600
sportsman 2 heads 64cc 2.02/1.60 valves 200cc intake runner
msd 6al
h.e.i. proform 50,000 volt vac. advance ditributor
700r-4 with 3.08 first gear and 3.23 posi 7 5/8 rear end.
b trans shift kit(will kill shifts...suck dong!!)
shorty heddman hedders with custom 3" pipe y-pipe back(no damn cat!) with 40 series flowmaster!
C&C used to do the conversion , but that was back in the day. My car has it and it's done very well. I had the headliner off and they welded in think metal supports etc...
definitely stronger than stock t-top or stock hardtop (I think).
sure you can do it yourself, but the minute you roll your car over you better pray that it will hold. I wouldn't trust it.
at least get a roll bad in the car , smple 4 point rollbar that will make sure the roof won't cave in on your head in case something bad happens.
look if you wanted t-tops you could get them end of story,.. this is allways an ongoing debate ,, if you wanted them you could get them,,, and for installing t-tops in a non t-top car ,, as long as you can find some one to do it ,,, and they didnt come with any reinforcments it the frame thats a myth, convertibles only did
The panel (B-pillar?) between the door window and hatchback window has a copper colored line going across it, left-to-right, a few inches from the top of the roof. This is where GM attached either a T-top roof or a normal roof. I'm not sure where the point is on the windshield pillar, but it's probably copper-colored also.
The doors: T-top equipped cars had a reinforcement done to the doors. A few inches above the regular door latch & strike plate is another latch. It's silver colored. There's one on the door, and one directly across in the doorjam.
I'm not aware of other reinforcements done to the car.
Keep in mind too that the bodies of the f-bodies twist. The T-top roof you cut off a car might be twisted "just enough" to not match up perfectly with your car's twist. You probably also have to remove the windshield when you do the switch, to avoid breaking the glass. (I'm sure it could be done, but do ya want to chance it?)
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ron rizzotti: my car has aftermarket ttops, in 1988 350s didnt come stock with them, so the original owner got them</font>
There are thousands of 350's with t-tops from 87-89.
------------------
1989 IROC-Z 5.7L
NOS 150HP kit
ProBuilt 700R4, PI Vigilante 2800 stall lockup
Baer Brakes 12" Sport System
