OK, I've read all the objections. Everyone seems to be concerned about the structural integrity of taking out a big chunk of the roof. Lets assume that I can adequately reinforce th roof after removing the big sections of steel. Any reason why I'd still have a problem. More importantly, has anyone out there actually done it themselves. I've put in several sunroofs over the years without a problem and looking at it the T-tops look harder to do but not undoable.

 

its not really so much the roof oyu have to reinforce its under the car, so the frame wont twist on ya.

 

Go find a junk t-top camaro and cut the roof out of it. The factory had weld lines on the pillars somewhere. That way if you replace the roof as a whole you don't lose the integrity of the car because the factory GM reinforcements will be included.

 

The only way to do t-tops is another car. If you cut tops into a hard top it'll never be right. GM did a pretty good job and they still twist and leak.

I've decided to part my '83 so i can have the options on my '82. I like the idea of having a spare almost everything too. Plus, i've had enough of it, sick of looking at it so it's getting cut up, labeled, and filed away. I'll be cutting the tops off this car at or beyond the factory welds and selling everythig as a whole, roof, tops, bags, straps, headliner, seals, etc. This will be taking some time however because i'll be removing the a/c p/w p/l p/m p/h neatly for installation into the '82. If your still interested next spring let me know or keep your eyes on the classified section.

To do a factory t-top swap the right way the car has to come apart. Windshield, fenders, hood, doors, dash, most if not all the interior, hatch. The seams for the front are above the upper door hinge.

------------------
Kenney
82 Trans Am WS7 notchback
83 Trans Am WS6 T-tops
Painter @ Chevy dealer
GM junkie

 

Go for it,,, I never had a problem with my old beater crx



My camaro has the Cars&Concepts(?) t-tops Gm did, for I guess that year(84) only?, and aside from it's age starting to show has no problems either

 

Thanks DB. Like I said I keep reading how its bad, impossible etc. and I figure it can't be that difficult. A little ingenuity and a lot of confidence when you start the cut.

D

 

One of the reinforcements made by GM in the F-body T-top cars were some wedges in the door jams. They are about 3/4" high and about 1 1/5" ling, they are on the top of the door and in a corresopnding place on the rear fender.
These transfer some of the load from the top of the car through the doors. If you already have T-tops, and you did not close your doors all the way most of you have found out that the body really flexes while driveing ant it makes alot of noise. You find out quickly that you need to have your doors closed.

If you have a Hard top, I would even recommend getting a set of these from the junkyard, they will make your car a little more rigid.



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87 Formula 5.1 converted to TPI Yellow/Black
SLP cam, headers, cat-back exhaust
Ported & polished TPI intake
Gil Younger (no yo-yo) Shift Kit
Aluminum Driveshaft
3.73 Posi gear
Baer 12" brakes 4 wheels
KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks & struts
Hotchkis strut tower brace
South side machine frame connecters
Custom reinforced control arms and pan hard bar.
Custom Leather interior
CUSTOM Yellow Gauge Faces

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

1967 Buick Riviera 430hp Turns high 14's (Not bad for 4300 lbs)

83 Camaro (Parts)
83 T/A (parts)

http://www.3rdgenformula.com

 

I was at the boneyard and I noticed those wedges. I was wondering what the hell they were for and if they had anything to do with the t-top. Thanks for clearing it up. A

Also, you mentioned CUSTOM Yellow Gauge Faces. How do you like them?

D. )

 

Since I made them myself I Love the way they look in the day, at night though they function fine, but because the way the background lights are, they are a little spotty. I don't mind, since I don't go to night time car shows...

see pix if interested:

John

<img border="0" src="http://www.tir.com/~jazofko/images/Interior/Yellow%20gages.jpg" width="401" height="241"></p>


<img border="0" src="http://www.tir.com/~jazofko/images/Interior/yellow%20gages%20at%20night.jpg" width="305" height="217"></p>


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87 Formula 5.1 converted to TPI Yellow/Black
SLP Dur 206/212, Lift 480/487, Cent Line 112 cam, headers, cat-back exhaust
Ported & polished Stock TPI intake
Modified Stock cold air intake
Gil Younger (no yo-yo) Shift Kit
Aluminum Driveshaft
3.73 Posi gear
Baer 12" brakes 4 wheels
KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks & struts
Hotchkis strut tower brace
South side machine frame connecters
Custom reinforced control arms and pan hard bar.
Custom Leather interior
CUSTOM Yellow Gauge Faces

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

1967 Buick Riviera 430hp Turns high 14's (Not bad for 4300 lbs)

83 Camaro (Parts)
83 T/A (parts)

http://www.3rdgenformula.com

 

sweet!