Putting an LSX swap into my RS, I'll have 300hp/400 ft. lbs. I'm worried that my car's body will flex under heavy acceleration and my new T-tops will take flight! I've heard many stories about this... what do you all do to keep them on the car?

Thanks!

 

sub frame connectors would be the obviouse answer but I have a feeling you already thought of that. besides that the only thing I can think of would be to weld in a roll cage. at 300hp and 400 ft/lbs are you really at risk for launching your T tops?

 

If your afraid it will flex that much get some SFC's and a 4point roll cage installed, that will taker a lot of flex away. The SFC's will be sufficient enough, but the roll cage is also helpful.

 

sub fram connectors, strut tower brace, make sure your t-tops are locked in and fasend down, and all the bolts are tight and propporly allligned.

 

I bought the T-Tops from a guy who totaled his one-owner '86 305 TPI Iroc-z with 60,000 miles on it. The car had just been repainted and decaled. Car was MINT. The guy didn't have the keys for the T-Tops, and I couldn't resist buying them for $75 in near mint condition! Will having no keys make them more at risk for coming off?

 

No roll cage, I'm keeping this car looking original. I have considered sub-frame connectors, eBay has some listed for $130. Are they hard to install?

 

i have more power than an ls1, and all i have to keep my ttops in are sfc's from spohn. they aren't hard to install, just put the car on a drive on lift(*the car has to be loaded on all four tires like it's on the road*) and weld them in, if you get the bolt in ones, bolt um in, then weld them. as for your lock cylinders in the ttops, you could switch the ones from your current ttops in, or get some junkyard ones and have them re-keyed by a locksmith to match the key for you car. just make sure you have some way to lock them in, or the chances of them flying off increases dramaticaly.

 

id be more worried about tire tread separating and flying off

 

You just like starting fights on posts, don't you?

Back to the topic...

 

Just do a search, all the sub-frame connectors have been covered.
Get them welded on, you can get the bolt-in ones and bolt them on and drive it somewhere to get welded to save $$$

 

Not to hijack but does has anybody ever run a T-top car at a road course, and how was tech with them. I've seen Vette tops come out at the big end of the quarter.

 

I have went as fast as 11.80s with no subframe connectors, and no flying t-tops, I am not sure how much horsepower that is, but I do know I ran it like that for considerable time with no adverse affects, I have since installed them.

 

I think the tops will be fine as long as you remember to latch them after driving with them off.
The locks aren't needed.Just make sure they're latched on tight.

 

It depends on the t-tops. My 86 IROC's tops get a little loose after a while. I have gotten in the habit of checking to see if they are latched properly before I drive it. SFC's are a must for these cars. The difference is amazing, just in the ride quality of these cars. Get the weld-in type, after all, it's not like you are going to remove them are you? The weld-in type are a little better for integrity anyways. BTW Go to www.arizonasfasteststreetcars.com There is a 1983 MSE transam in there running 10.0's (Capable of high 9's but thats a long story) he has somewhere around 950hp and uses an 8 point cage and subframe connectors. T-top car.

 

Well I am about to get an 88 with t-tops and I'm just going to hack that roof off and put on a hard top. When in school at Wyotech I did just the opposite. Theres a spot in back where it is spot welded and bronzed filled on the rear pillars. Then the front you just cut sleeve and reattach. for my first project like that it turned out absolutley perfect. sooo I am not afraid to do it again. Have funn building.

 

No offense... but why would you want to do that?! T-tops are a great feature... that's like taking out the headlights because you don't like them... come on, if you want a hardtop car, just buy one with a hardtop! Saves you money and time.

 

I'm getting the shell for free. So Ill take it. T-tops are the best and I love them but in a racecar not so good. sooo that ends that story

 

I don't get it... do you think the pins will back out due to vibration or something? they don't just pop out for no reason.

 

I'm just building a full out racecar! It will help with wind and aero dynamics. I'm setting up to run 8 seconds or quicker. Full tube chassis with blown .60 over 454 blueprinted. Tubing and big tires. I mean all u could do

 

They make you take em out. A road course really stresses the chassis through the corners. Alot of twisting and flexing. Like was mentioned though, make sure everything is aligned and tight and you should be ok. I have bolt in subframes bolted and welded. I went from trying to launch a puddle of oatmeal off the line to this stiff rigid firm beast. SFC's ALL THE WAY. wow what a difference.

 

My friend runs 7s in the 1/4 and still has his t-tops. I really doubt they affect your times at all. Thats like saying not eating breakfast will make you faster, yeh maybe it will, but will anyone notice the difference?

If you want a hardtop car, just go buy one, a lot of people are looking for t-top cars, especially with the warm weather coming.

 

Man has the right idea. T-tops are god awful...lol! A blight on an otherwise good looking car.

 

have not had a problem, custom sfc's
and the car was not originally t-top

 

Did they ever make a T-top that didn't leak? i was thinking of transplanting everything from my Z-28 into my 84 s.o parts car just to get a hard top.

 

gotta do it yourself if you dont want it to leak!

 

Replace your weatherstipping... I've been in T-top Camaro's in downpoors and have not gotten a drip of water on me. Mine leake a little bit on my left pant leg, but I know where the gap is and it's an easy fix... when I first got it, the windows didn't seal, and there would be a waterfall of water going down into my door, and all over my power window motors... good thing they still work!!!

 

Lol... are you high? Really, really drunk? T-Tops are sexy on Camaro's... and they are damn nice during the summer... better than a convertible... have fun not getting a tan and getting baked alive in your interior Derth.

 

wwoooooowww!.....And you think your gunna do a Good job?....no offense but there are some Retarded ppl on here...

 

ever seen a chop top rat rod?
it's very doable, i have both a t-top car and a hard top so I'd just swap everything into one or the other befor I attempted a roof change, but there is no reason it couldn't be done and have a factory appearance.