I have no problem admitting I'm a n00b. to TGO and to Camaros in general. My girl has a 1985 Z28 with a shiny new v8, hard top, and a rattlecan paint job and no rust. My cars over the years have never had t tops, nor have I ever had to do any sort of roof conversion. Here's the dilemma:
The girl wants a t top. She also does not want to part with the body or the engine for sentimental reasons (it was a family project putting the new engine in. It has now become "our" car, to the point of me selling my BMW to put more money into this Camaro). Given the state of the body as it stands, how would one convert this hard top into a t top? Are there kits, is there someone in the SoCal area I can take it to, or is this a project better suited to a body swap? I'm a fairly accomplished mechanic, but have limited resources right now (just moved to San Diego). Any tips from the experts? Anything at all would be greatly appreciated, even just hearsay and rumors...

 

Use the search you will find a lot of things. It is doable but it is very dificult as you have to be ver percise and a lot of reinforcing has to be done. and if you pay to have it done it will run you probably around 5k. You'd be better off getting a ttop car and just swap engine and the stuff.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...ack-widow.html
I did it, and yes, there is a TON of work involved, and you have to be very VERY precise. Its not something I recommend for a first time project. I didnt do what everyone suggested, and I dont regret the path I took with my car, but after doing it once, I never want to do it again lmao. Get a T-top car, shoud'ent cost you more then a few hundred bucks if you find one with no engine.

 

Looks real sweet carter Didn't ever catch the end of your thread, turned out really really sweet!

 

You cant just cut holes in the roof, you have to transplant a roof from a T-Top car. It's pretty involved.

I remember seeing a company online that would do it, but it was pretty pricey. Depending on how complete you wanted the job done, it easily got into 5 digit price ranges. Remember, it'll need to get repainted too, not to mention all the interior and windshield/hatch work that needs to be done.

Plenty of us LIKE hardtop cars. TTops are cool, but I'm glad my car is a hard top. Please don't butcher a hardtop car, there's plenty of TTop cars around to buy. But that's just my take, and it's her car, not mine, you guys should do whatever you like.

 

Well Ya' you can,....... It just depends on what method and parts you decide to use. Cutting the T-Roof from a T Top car and installing it on a hard top car would be the hardest way while using an aftermarket kit would be the easiest. All Cars and Concepts did when installing thier kit was to take a Sawz-ALL to the roof and install thier kit with a crap load of rivets.












I've got the C&C conversion for sale and will be buying a 87 Trans AM with the same set-up in about 2 weeks. I've owned a car with the T-Roof graphed onto it and I've owned a car with the C&C tops. The aftermarket set-up looks to be easier to install then a T-Roof from another car.

No reinforcing anything as there is an interior and exterior roof brace.

No worry about re-painting unless your very careless. if you scratch it - just pull out the spray can and touch it up.

No Windshield - No Hatch work - Interior work consists of replacing the headliner.


Don't get me wrong; this project is NOT for everyone. But again, it's not as bad as most people think. Like any other project it's success will depend on your up front planning and the parts you decide to use !