There are alot of questions specific to convertibles. I posted a topic inquiring about roll bars for convertibles in history/restoration and it was moved, which is fine, but I only posted it here because I read a thread by the moderator that this was the convertible board. Do we need a separate board specifically for the third gen convertibles?

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1989 IROC Convertible, 305 TPI/Auto, KB super subs, Koni reds, BMR strut tower brace, Accel air filters, MAF screens removed - just the beginning!

 

The reason why I moved your question about the roll bar is simple. A roll bar for a convertible would be the same as one for a coupe; it would not be unique to a convertible.

There was some discussion previously about posting questions about convertibles on this board. Again, the replies on that thread were based on opinion. My opinion is that convertibles topics would be more suited in the Body/Interior board:

Coupe/Convertible = Body, not History/Restoration.

Even though I too own a convertible, I don't believe we should have a separate Convertible board because there aren't enough unique topics to justify its own board.

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Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Paxton (6-psig): 12.57 @ 111 mph.
Paxton (6-psig) & 50-hp nitrous: 12.04 @ 114 mph.
ATI D1SC (10-psig): ?

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

 

Willie, I do agree it should be in the body and interior or appearance board. Unfortunately, when I post them there, they get lost quickly by the other posts that are coupe based thus making this site worthless to me. Coupe owner generally know jack about the diffences and how the cars work.

The convertible owners primarily frequent here, so I asked for a board here where I would get the most support. I agree there aren't many topics, but the help to the 30-40 of us would be substantial. But if not enough topics is the reason we can't get one, why do we have the group purchases? It has three posts and 148 replies. Convertible owners have more in this board over the last two weeks alone! And it can't be that hard to manage with a few select individuals using it.

As Drew said in the previous discussion, everything we do (almost, no modifications included) is restoration so use this board, and I accepted the invite and dropped my convertible board ranting to use this area.

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1989 Camaro Convertible RS
dark silver w/black top
305tbi, auto, all stock
2.73 posi soon to be 3.73
Check out Phil's Rice Boy Page

 

How does the convertible top when it's down clear the rear bars used on a coupe style roll bar? What about the toneau cover when it is closed? I have looked at several manufacturers and they are specific to the coupes due to the hatchback area providing the necessary clearances for the roll bars to extend. There simply is no clearance on a convertible. I have found one manufacturer Autopower who makes a roll bar that mounts by drilling through the sail panel by the rear seat, but I would rather not do that. Wolfe Race Craft makes a convertible specific roll bar for fourth gen cars, if they are all the same why would they bother to make a different roll bar?

 

Last thing I want is to get involved in an argumnet about where convertible specific questions can be asked and answered.
Anyway, I have been collecting info for the last two months regarding certain areas of the convertible such as frame & top repair, weatherstripping & top replacement, frame & top adjustment, frame parts & top suppliers & manufactuers. All of this info will be availible in about a month once I finish my top replacement tomorrow.
When I finish the top I will go over all the info and get it together and make it availible to anyone who is interested through a local 3rd gen mailing list of mine on yahoogroups that also supports photos. This is not a plug or anything like that, but will be nice to have a specific convertible section for anyone interested.

As for the roll bar, check out this months Super Chevy.

 

I am with Willie... Convt aren't different enough to make a specific board worthwhile... on the best day there are only 10-15 convertibles on the board, whats the chance that it'd get any traffic at all? Anythign related to fixing a problem or researchinga history could fall under history and restoration... For that reason 99.9% of the convertible questions can be asked here... to address the original question, no one I know of offers a roll bar for a convertable, but honestly if you're planning on rolling your car you should probably look into a rusted out 84Z28.

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6Sold
92 S10FOR SALE!
98 Grand Am GT

 

I would tend to agree that convertible specific topics do get "lost" -- no responses. But you've got to admit that there are absolutely no other websites that deal in as many specific boards purely dedicated to the third gen.

Unfortunately, convertible production from 1987 - 1992 of 28,183 constitute only a small percentage of total Camaro production of 550,605 during the same time period -- 5 percent.

This is the sole reason why aftermarket convertible parts are non-existent.

This makes complete sense. If you have a question regarding original parts, documentation, etc., this is the board. But if the question is about modifications, aftermarket parts, etc., it is not. It is the same for coupes. This reason, in conjunction with the fact that convertibles are a very small minority is the reason why there should not be a convertible board.

If you feel there should be a convertible board, feel free to e-mail Dirk and if he agrees, I will support it 100 percent.

Willie

 

what would ya'll think about a 3rdgen convertible website?

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Ok, how many times on this board has anyone mentioned mods on their conv? There are boards for everyone else on this site. Willie, it sounds like you are leaving us out in the cold. The conv questions don't take up much space here, so what is wrong with it? From the conflicting views we get from different moderators, it sounds like you all need the talk it over. In the meantime, let us use this board, because I really haven't seen to many history only people on this site.

Jeremy

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WE WILL MISS YOU #3
92 Z conv
5-spd B&M shifter
home-made ram air, air foil, headers, no cat, TB bypass, kevlar pads, slotted rotors, BMR panhard, alston SFC, 3.42's, Edelbrock STB, 350 in the works

 

I agree that there needs to be some designated section of a board, if not a separate board, for convertible owners. Even though there don't seem to be many convertible posts, we would probably see that go up if there was a section devoted specifically to it as some of us would be more likely to jump in the discussion if it was right in front of us.

Remember that those of us who have convertibles are always hearing the same thing from dealers, shops, etc--they either don't know about ragtops because they never see any or they fudge the information we ask for based on their knowledge of coupes and hope it's right. Gets kind of frustrating when we finally have a forum to discuss these things but don't really have a set place in it.

I can't think of any other place where convertible owners could discuss their problems as a group. This site is already great, but would be even better if it took the lead in helping us out by giving us a set area in which to post.

 

Why don't you guys create a board on discussionboard.com or whatever and see how well it works? Seriously, its not worth the time to add this board, the only topics that relate to convertibles that this board doesn't cover are aftermarket mods and ****...

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6Sold
92 S10FOR SALE!
98 Grand Am GT

 

First of all, I wasn't planning on rolling my car. I was hit in the side recently and had my 7 year old son with me. We are both fine and my car is now fixed, but I was hoping to make it safer so that I could feel better about taking my kids for a ride with their dad. It is one thing if I get hurt, but it would be a real tragedy to wonder what I could have done to avoid my child from being injured. This website has been a very valuable resource, perhaps someone out there has put a roll bar in a convertible and can give me some feedback. Thanks.

 

well to be honest, thirdgens aren't the best choice for keeping your family safe, but I'd say they're safer than a lot of other choices. Personally I've climbed out of a camaro that was completely trashed in an accident... had it been from the side it'd be different. I'd say if you're really concerned about safety than a thirdgen isn't the best place to put your family. Look into a Ford Taurus, or a Saturn.

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6Sold
92 S10FOR SALE!
98 Grand Am GT

 

I wouldn't think a saturn or ford taurus would evoke the excitement and driving pleasure to anyone (even a 7 year old kid) as a thirdgen convertible would. I also don't believe they are available in convertible form. Even if they were, I wouldn't drive one.
Drew, lay off. Why are you jumping all over this guy about why he takes his kids in this car? I seriously doubt he wants to look in to a Taurus or a Saturn.
He wants info on a rollbar for this car. Let's say he wanted to go to the track. If you are running fast enough with these cars, it is mandatory to have one. I don't, but I've seen a couple that do. So if he asked the question for that reason, would you start bitchin at him for wanting to go so fast and he should get a gutted 5.0 if he's interested in going fast? Whatever.

 

A rollbar isn't going to do **** for safety in a convertible... The only thing it would do is protect your head if the car rolls... if there's an impact with sufficient force to require a roll bar, the cars goign to be ****ed regardless including the occupants. Fbodies and families dont' go well together. I'm not jumping on anyone, just addressing his concern. If he's concerned about safety the Taurus and Saturn are two of the most safe cars out there. Reread my reply. In my opinion (which I'm free to voice here) there is no way to make a thirdgen convertible anymore safe, short of turning it into something its not. Race seats, 5 point seat belt harnesses, roll bars, impact bars, etc will just make the car more uncomfortable and heavier. Since we're starting out with about 500lbs more than a typical hardtop adding weight just makes the car slower. By the time you got done you'd wish you'd gotten a safe family car with a V6 instead of turning a nice car into a joke.

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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6Sold
92 S10FOR SALE!
98 Grand Am GT

 

Drew, reread his reply. Maybe in your opinion, the F-body isn't the ultimate beginning place in safety for a family, (I agree) however, that is an opinion. I don't believe this is what he's looking for. I think what he wants is exactly what he asked for: ways to make the car safer, not someone to tell him to buy another car.
The safety precautions you mentioned would not guarantee you'd walk out of a bad wreck, but I do believe they could decrease the severity of injuries and turn the high possibility of fatality into less than a certainty . Actually, IMO, I think you'd be better off being thrown from the vehicle in a rollover than being dragged along inside.
All I'm saying is maybe instead of shooting him down, he could be pointed in the right direction for at least considering his children's added safety. Just my opinion.
Later.

 

FROBOZ,
Please include me on your mailing list when you finish your data. I have two convertibles and am gonna need to do the top on the 89 soon. I really want to get a 92 top frame and put it on my 89. I like the design better and I can put a liner in. I think putting a convertible top on would be pretty straight forward. Unlike the X-Frame top on my 71 Impala. What a nightmare!
I would love to have a specific convertible board but I have to agree that the traffic would not support it. We could always try getting a board over at NETHIRDGEN or SETHIRDGEN. But let me know when you have your tech stuff ready!
On the safety side. I've seen a lot of wrecked 3rd gens in the bone yard. I have only seen one that I would have considered a fatality. They seem to hold up very well in accidents.
I need a roll bar in my 89, I ran 13.81 with a stock L98 motor, I know I'm faster with the ZZ4. NHRA seez 13.99 or faster in a convt you need a bar. IHRA is 13.5 I think.
We could always preface our post topics with Convt Owners: Subject.... That would alert us topless folks to read those posts.
Saturn and Taurus, Bwaaaahhhhhaaaaa!


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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI
Edelbrock Hi-Flow Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake
1 5/8" Headers
Semi-Siamesed Runners
MSD6AL/relocated MAT/ AdjFPR/IROC frnt@rear swaybar/wonderbar/steeringbox/alum drvshaft/ Alston SFC/3:23posi disc rear/MAC LCA/H.Adams Panhard Rod/KYB struts/ shocks/
92Z28convt5spd
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

[This message has been edited by Rob P (edited March 13, 2001).]