OK, i know it can be done, and doesnt seem too hard. But what do you guys think about adding T-tops to a non-ttop TA? My idea was to cut something like this:

that way i will have a little extra to play with and i could figrue out EXACTLY what i would need to do it. i figure it will be a little cutting, welding, fiberglass/bondo that typr of thing. Anything to worry about?
Also will that weaken that cars sructure at all? i will have a pretty mean motor setup in it.

 

Did that same project a few years back, never did get it to stop leaking. Your cut lines are about the same as mine were. once you get the interior stripped out you will see the factory connection points which may guide you in the cutting. It is a fairly easy swap if you have some welding knowledge. I recomend taking the windshield right out of the car. The important thing is measure and plan carefully. If you have a hot motor setup you might want to put some sub frame connectors underneath. The hardtop is not that strong a body structure to begin with since there is so much glass area. The t-top won't make it any better.

 

Use the search button, there are dozens of threads about this, and they all lead to it being a bad idea. but I t-top car if you want one, and yeah, if you plan on a big motor, then you are going to need SFC no matter what, hell a V6 benifits from SFC. For anyone without them, you are just confused and haven't learned about these cars yet. There is a reason why Z06s in the C5s only came in hardtop. They are more rigid. The new C6s are able to get by this issue with a lot of $ and engineering. For a thirgen, stick to a hardtop unless you are loosing sleep at night cuz you don't have t-tops.

The leaking issue makes the whole ordeal definietly not worth it, evn for a second. I want to feel high and dry when sitting in my car in the rain.

 

you will regret that so much. trust me, t-tops are really cool for about 2 weeks, then u realize just how much they suck. i wish i had a hardtop car so much

 

Why does everybody on these message boards have to preach thier beliefs to the other people on the board. If the guy wants to cut the roof off his car and weld on a t-top let him do it. Hell if he wants to make a rag top let him do it. Sure it's not an easy job but it's not impossible either. Why doesn't everyone stick to constructive criticism instead of dragging people down with "I'm right you're wrong". Personally I get enough of that at work. Where would the great car builders past and present be if they were afraid to try.

 

WHY, because we speak from experience and are trying to save this guy allot of heartache and work. It would be easier to buy a $200 roller with t-tops and either swap or buid that one. The great car builders from the past are relaxing with money in their pockets while we drive their creations.

 

yeah id hate for him to go through all that work and realize t-tops just arent all that great. i would want someone to warn me if i was going to take on a big project and it wouldnt be worth it in the end.... its not preaching, its advice.

keep in mind, the original post was: "But what do you guys think about adding T-tops to a non-ttop TA?"

 

It can be done.

A whole lot of measuring and cutting once of course :-)

I have known a few people who had done this in the 70's and 80's on third and second gens.

Would I?

I seriously doubt it unless maybe it was some kind of major rebuild or something.

Far easier and less hassle to find another body and swap everything u have over, especially if your paint is still good.

later
Jeremy

 

He asked for our opinions, and we gave it to him. Plain and simple.

As for the original poster, you can do it if you want, but it's better off to by a roller with t-tops andswap everything because then you won't have issues with it lining up, leaking, etc.

 

my brother owned a 78 that had custom t-tops. You could feel the frame twist and hear all kinds of noises when you took corners hard. So we only cornered hard for that first day we owned it. Seriously compromises, an already weak structure. Count on running into fitting problems and everything not lining up quite right, get used to squeaks, and in this particular car, it destroyed completely what was left of the body mounts. I thougt it was pretty cool that someone went through the trouble of modifying it like that, but while driving the car, i put my arm out the window, and kind slipped my fingers in between the t-top and the body, every time you hit a slight bump (basically whenever a shock and spring would experience travel) i could feel the body and t-top pinching my finger!!! Not cool at all, i wouldnt attempt it, unless you have a rollcage and subframe connectors. Also, as mentioned above, the cost, time and hassle isnt worth it, youd be better off to start with T-top car. Definately not trying to discourage trying something new, but last time i checked T-tops have been around for a while, why re-invent the wheel? Good luck.

 

if you do not have the roof aline die on it will leak. If your to far over your windsheild and back hatch will no aline either. Beside is to but a t-top and sawp you motor and any out custom or mods over . Guy in my f-body club try to do this and it always leaked. So he only drove it in the summer. And final gave up and bought a t-top car off ebay for 200.00 doolar put his motor, tranny , rear end, and interior into that car. And had that one the road within a weekend.

 

My friends car had a t-top conversion. Always leaked. Come to think of it, mine always leaks as well, not to mention that it weakens the car. Would be nice if they just stuck to a sunroof. More useful then the damn t-tops.

 

Man, what a bunch of whiners. When you guys say leak, you would think when you open the door water pours out. If that happens fix the d&^% thing. Since some of you guys hate your T Tops some much, trade this guy for his hard top. Just switch everything over. Dont buy a cat and expect it to bark because you want a dog. T Tops and Sunroofs leak. I always wanted a Firebird with T Tops. I take them off more then they are on. I am planning on leaving them home today. A car cover a Walmart is 30.00, keeps things dry when it rains.

 

T-Tops are awesome.There is nothing like taking your tops off on a nice day, and feeling the sun, and the wind...The cars look much sexier also. I would give just about anything to have them on this car...now I must say, I have never had a leakage issue with any of my T-top cars, but also had subframe connectors on the last one.....I have thought long, and hard about doing this to my current third gen (When the money is right) I know in the past more crazy things have been done...Chopped tops, and all sorts of things....I think if this was done carefully, by a respected bodyshop, there would not be alot of issues..If it werent for people doing things like this the whole hot rod thing may have never happened...Back in the day, you didnt run to the shop to get parts, you made it yourself..BUT before I would even consider it, I would make sure the car was rigid......SBC, STB, maybe even the back shock brace...I could see where you might have some real issues, and leaking might be the least of your worrys....