Well first off I am no where near ready to do this I just want to get an idea of what I want to look for. Here is what I want to do. I want to make the ultimate thirdgen. I want a stock look for people that do not know much about thirdgens and I want people that know about thirdgens to scratch there head and wonder if its stock or not. I want a 1990-1992 camro but I am not sure if I want a hard top or a convertible. I have always wanted a vert but I know some pieces are hard to find. What are all the pros and cons of hard tops and verts if you going to do a build up on them?

 

Hard tops have a much sturdier body. T-tops are worse. And convertibles... even lousier.

Sturdier body = better handling. I love my hard top! Most guys have the t-tops.

 

hard tops cheaper then verts and dont have to worry about leaky top or t top esp since its already atleast 13 yrs old

 

But a 'vert is pretty cool if you're just looking for a weekend cruiser/ show car.

 

It's all preference. I've had a hard top, t-top, and still own a convertible. If you plan on racing it go with a hardtop. Better handling, cheaper, and probably safer. T-top cars seem to handle more like a convertible. I personally prefer the looks, and feel of the convertible. However, I don't race.

 

There is nothing cooler than a drop top 3rd gen..atleast for me.

My "Ultimate" vert will be done soon...and you can judge for yourself.

Tommy

 

WOW nice car Mr. IROC-Z. I do will not be racing it. I want it to drive in the summers. All i want to do is make it a little more powerful than a stock camaro. So what are the hardest parts to find on verts? Also do they have a problem with leaks? I have never road in a convertible so this might be a stupid question is the road/wind wind noise a lot louder than a t-top car or hard top?

 

Hard to find parts: Weatherstriping, plastic piece between latches for the top.

Don't worry about the noise with the top up, you will hardly ever ride with the top up.

You will be very limited on vert subframe connectors.

The convertibles are awesome to drive around in. Two nights ago I took a drive around Houston after taking care of my two boys all day. When I got back I felt much better.

 

what do you mean? there not very many diffrent ones? or there hard to come by?

 

I've also owned a hardtop, t-top, and I still own my convertible.

In my opinion the hardtop is sturdier than a vert, but there are many things you can do to make your vert stiffer.

The verts are more fun to me and they are mainly for cruising. Hardtops are boring in the summer. Dont worry about the wind noise just turn up the music.

But in reality it all really just depends on how far you would like to go with your build. Like Ragtop said, if your going to race buy a hardtop if not go with a vert.

Oh yeah, the parts are kind of hard to find for the verts.

Jay

 

There are a couple places that make SFCs and from what I've heard will make the ride of the vert feel extremely better. Thats why I plan on getting mine in the coming weeks.

Jay

 

Jay, Are you going to go with the Hotchkis subframe connectors?

 

go with Lon's TopdownSolutions SFC's. I feel they are the best!

 

so what do SFC do? I have not read much about these.

 

...well, mine is currently going full frame, gutting ALL uni-body structure including entire front clip(tube is just cool), setting the motor back about 3", coil-overs all four corners, cutting floor from front seat back and replacing with tin.....Keeping it on 17's, full power, a/c, stereo, etc....
Shooting for around 3k curb weigt(currently 4000) 1.4X 60fts, around 550hp all-motor(then add the NOS) and daily driveable.

How's that for ultimate 'vert?

 

convertible iroc is the most sexy car u could go for Especially red or black

and it is a design that will still look hot in 20 years

plus its gonna be #1 collectable

 

The camaro convertable is by far the sexiest ******* car ever produced. You will be noticed. As far as price goes they really arn't that much more. Parts are getting eaiser to find. If you have a garage you will never put the top up anyway, just watch out for pelican ****.

 

I will be going with TopDownSolutions SFCs, I heard they bolt up and fit better then other brands.

SFCs stiffen the cars frame helping to prevent flexing from all the torque and horsepower.

Jay

 

This forum has hashed out every possible issue you could think of with the 3rd Gen convertible. Just do a

I did the TDS (Alston) SFC's with the TDS wonder bar and an Edelbrock strut tower brace. Really stiffened the old girl up. Now I hear different things rattling when I go down the road than I did before. I think it is the suspension actually doing work instead of the frame absorbing all the flex.

A new top has to be in my future soon and this can run as high a 1 grand. However, my current top is the original and doesn't leak a drop although the rear window is pretty burnt. It could easily go another year, I'm sure.

 

the convertible body weighs more, it has very large "BOXES" for actual subframe connectors in it already that hardtop cars do not have. this is why the mouldings are rare . the box is just under the rocker.
the HT is a prefered choice for tourque.
for cruising I have a lil fleet of ragtops hehe

 

I saw somewhere that the convertible weighs only 100 lbs more than a hardtop. So, find a 5 speed and you should be close (in weight) to a hard top with an auto.

 

Nothing beats the looks of a vert.

who needs a hardtop just cage it.

 

tpi383 how is the project going is almost rolling ready for paint? does the car run?

 

I think you summed it up for yourself when you said you just wanted to drive it in the summer and have a little more hp than a stock car (not race) ... VERT is the ONLY way to go!

The only time I ever put my top up is when it gets cold at night (this time of year). There is nothing like crusing with the top down. This is my first convertible, and I love it. I used to ride motorcycles a lot, and this is the closest thing I can find to the thrill ... and it is much safer.

And if you're looking for a rare car, the T/A verts are MUCH more rare than the Camaros ... unless you find the right Camaro. Both are super sexy, though. And keep in mind that the Camaros (w/ 305) already have a little more hp than a T/A because of the crazy route air has to take to get to the engine in a Firebird. But you can put on a K&N kit for cheap and it will instantly put your T/A at about the same hp as the Camaro.

Good luck in your search!

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I will be looking for a 1990-1992 camaro vert

 

goin slow. Just dropped motor in 2nite. gota pull the tpi,etc and clean it all up.

http://s89724942.onlinehome.us/image...r/DSC02720.JPG

 

Just so all of you know. The 3rd gen verts were all done aftermarket. They are just hard tops taken to an aftermarket shop and had the top cut off and a few panels fabricated differently. This is why you can not get any NOS or factory parts that were only on verts...because they didn't make them.
This being said, anything suspension wise that you can do on a hard top can be done on verts as well. Including subframe connectors.