so i have been looking on here for a targa top idea similar to the one i had while thinking about getting rid of my rusted out t-bar. i was thinking i could cut the old one out and buy a new one but instead of welding it up i would fabricate locks that hold it in place where it is spose to be. if i did that all that i would need to do is run weather stripping all the way across and it would probably leak less than it does now with it being so rusted out. with this being done this way it would all still fit in the trunk when its off and i use original t tops and t bar and it would then be a targa top that was the appeal to me. just wondering if it is a good idea or if im just going to jack up my car even more than it is. if i do decide to do this is it really necessary to brace the windshield if im just running a factory 305 tbi at the moment? im guessing it shouldnt flex all that much right? when i get my new engine though i would have to brace it i guess it just comes down to me being lazy and not wanting to do it all at once. anyways let me know what you think i would just hate to screw my camaro up if for some reason it couldnt be done or im missing something in my equation.

 

go search www.cz28.com, i know there is a guy who did that to his 4th gen and did a walk throught, thingy

 

i will totally go look for it that'd be great thanks..

 

sounds awesome you shouldnt twist to much, and shouldnt break anything remember converts are t-top bodies, maybe add the bracing that a factory vert has on it?

 

Verts have four additional sheets of metal added onto the rocker area(SFC's)on each side top and bottom inner and outer. Unless you add serious aftermarket SFC's say goodbuy to your car. If it were that easy you would see verts and targas everywhere.

 

Yeah i was thinking that i had looked at a stripped down vert and seen that it was different at the junkyard.. but it didn't seem like more than a weekend worth of work to beef everything up better than factory verts i just didnt want to do it if i didnt have to. (lazy) but its not like i have a job right now so i can do it whenever i can borrow the welder from my friend. I emphasize i really really dont want to but if my cars going to twist thats prolly not good. i guess i can do it when i replace the floors this summer. it seems to be kind of a 1/2 and 1/2 sort of deal out there ive checked around and theres some people that have just cut out the t-bar and not braced anything and were fine and some that did cuz they didnt want to chance it. but im still looking for input so i know for sure that it has to be reinforced thanks again guys..

 

not true, it wont be much differnt, you will want to add sfc's but you wont just say goodbye to your car if you dont have htem

 

His car needs new floor pans if he cuts out the only triangulation support you think he will be just dandy. WOW!

 

Not a very good idea if you plan on any performance driving...

I have spoke with multiple people who have done that very thing in 3rd and 4th gens, they aren't built for that and it really messes them up. You can reinforce them, but I would highly suggest a cage along with subframes and anything else you can do.

 

Just as a reference, I cut the roof support out of my car before I had the 8-point cage put in. After I got the car back, I found a bar wasn't welded on top so I cut a 6x6 piece of the roof skin out to get at the bar and as soon as I was finished cutting, the roof bowed badly. I was able to work it out halfway decent, but I'm glad it's a race car and I don't mind covering it in bondo.

I would highly discourage you cutting the T-bar out unless you have a hell of a plan and some well connected SFCs.