adding a t-top roof
11-06-2008, 02:04 PM
#51
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Re: adding a t-top roof
wulfgar, pm tpi-hearse, he'll hook you up and hes in CT too.
11-08-2008, 11:49 AM
#52
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Re: adding a t-top roof
thanks, but unfortunatly due to some monetary issues at the moment i'm going to have to put this project on hold.
03-08-2009, 04:06 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
this is a fantastic thread, very well done! plus the car looks great! kudos on the body n paint, looks better than my first backyard job (im poor and do have a garage :P)
was curious, and all ive gotten is bad critique on the thought, but has anyone ever considered doing a targa top? ive thought about it often, but havent gotten around to attempting it yet. maybe if im lucky ill get to it this summer and have a thread half this good :P
was curious, and all ive gotten is bad critique on the thought, but has anyone ever considered doing a targa top? ive thought about it often, but havent gotten around to attempting it yet. maybe if im lucky ill get to it this summer and have a thread half this good :P
03-08-2009, 09:30 AM
#54
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Did you ever get this build finished, or at least get the windshield in? I'm curious as to how it fit.
If there was one thing I would have done differently on your build, I would have welded in the braces before removing the windshield.
The windshield on a unibody is a structural piece. I would have been worried about the whole car moving the minute I took that windshield out.
I'm assuming you took good measurements when you welded the new section in to make sure everything was relatively square and you should be ok.
Mathius
If there was one thing I would have done differently on your build, I would have welded in the braces before removing the windshield.
The windshield on a unibody is a structural piece. I would have been worried about the whole car moving the minute I took that windshield out.
I'm assuming you took good measurements when you welded the new section in to make sure everything was relatively square and you should be ok.
Mathius
03-08-2009, 02:02 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Did you ever get this build finished, or at least get the windshield in? I'm curious as to how it fit.
If there was one thing I would have done differently on your build, I would have welded in the braces before removing the windshield.
The windshield on a unibody is a structural piece. I would have been worried about the whole car moving the minute I took that windshield out.
I'm assuming you took good measurements when you welded the new section in to make sure everything was relatively square and you should be ok.
Mathius
If there was one thing I would have done differently on your build, I would have welded in the braces before removing the windshield.
The windshield on a unibody is a structural piece. I would have been worried about the whole car moving the minute I took that windshield out.
I'm assuming you took good measurements when you welded the new section in to make sure everything was relatively square and you should be ok.
Mathius
03-19-2009, 02:42 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
I did this the same way to a car about 6 yrs ago turned an 84 bertilinetta into a 89 rs. It was a project for tech school. I'm about to do it agian to this 88 firebird I need a hard top for my drag car I am building. Awesome job.
03-20-2009, 03:05 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
yes, t-tops are different through the years, the sizes are the same its just the pins that are different, and they are easy to change out.
if you are talking about the roof, then yes that is also the same. the roof that i used is off of a firebird
if you are talking about the roof, then yes that is also the same. the roof that i used is off of a firebird
03-20-2009, 03:28 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
ha so you SOMEWHAT have a Camarobird! not a firemaro cause the car isnt originally a firebird. it looks great, i watched this thread for awhile last year but never said anything. you did a great job as everybody has already mentioned.
did you get the hatch bolted up? guessing it fit like a glove to?
did you get the hatch bolted up? guessing it fit like a glove to?
03-20-2009, 03:35 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
03-20-2009, 05:00 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Iv always wanted to do this to mine..too late now but badazz. Also are you running a fuel cell now?
03-21-2009, 01:30 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Ca[maro]88
yes the hatch bolted up like a glove, it was a pain in the *** getting it there though. had nothing to do with the top really, it was more the semi truck that hit the passenger rear, the shop that originally fixed it before i bought the car really ****ed it up, so it took some time getting that straight.
aciddrop2804
any third gen f-body t-top roof will work. stay away from the concept t-top roofs. do a search on them, they are an aftermarket style t-top conversion, and the t-tops are way different. bigger opening i beleive. the only difference between the years, are the t-top pins, and hardware can be changed out fairly easily so don't ;et it disscurage you. mind you most off the conversion for my car took a weekend. in one day i drove out to indiana, cut the roof of the donor car, came home, took the roof off of mine, and had the other roof tached into place. it would have been faster, yet i started my rol cage at the same time and my floors were rotted out. anyways, if you are going to do your car and need help let me know, ill try to give ya pointers during the process. PM me and ill give you my number.
87_GTA_5.7
yes i am running a cell. ill get pictures up this weekend of where its at. i promise ill get to it. finally got the weekend to my self, and 3 five page papers, and work, and an intake gasket on the girls car, damn if only i had a few arms growing out of my *** the camaro might be drivable someday. oh well
yes the hatch bolted up like a glove, it was a pain in the *** getting it there though. had nothing to do with the top really, it was more the semi truck that hit the passenger rear, the shop that originally fixed it before i bought the car really ****ed it up, so it took some time getting that straight.
aciddrop2804
any third gen f-body t-top roof will work. stay away from the concept t-top roofs. do a search on them, they are an aftermarket style t-top conversion, and the t-tops are way different. bigger opening i beleive. the only difference between the years, are the t-top pins, and hardware can be changed out fairly easily so don't ;et it disscurage you. mind you most off the conversion for my car took a weekend. in one day i drove out to indiana, cut the roof of the donor car, came home, took the roof off of mine, and had the other roof tached into place. it would have been faster, yet i started my rol cage at the same time and my floors were rotted out. anyways, if you are going to do your car and need help let me know, ill try to give ya pointers during the process. PM me and ill give you my number.
87_GTA_5.7
yes i am running a cell. ill get pictures up this weekend of where its at. i promise ill get to it. finally got the weekend to my self, and 3 five page papers, and work, and an intake gasket on the girls car, damn if only i had a few arms growing out of my *** the camaro might be drivable someday. oh well
03-21-2009, 02:07 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
aciddrop2804
any third gen f-body t-top roof will work. stay away from the concept t-top roofs. do a search on them, they are an aftermarket style t-top conversion, and the t-tops are way different. bigger opening i beleive. the only difference between the years, are the t-top pins, and hardware can be changed out fairly easily so don't ;et it disscurage you. mind you most off the conversion for my car took a weekend. in one day i drove out to indiana, cut the roof of the donor car, came home, took the roof off of mine, and had the other roof tached into place. it would have been faster, yet i started my rol cage at the same time and my floors were rotted out. anyways, if you are going to do your car and need help let me know, ill try to give ya pointers during the process. PM me and ill give you my number.
i dont think this will be to soon though. im actually still working on just getting a car. 
i think i have a good one lined up but the guys selling it is kinda being a d!ck about it so its taking awhile. should be getting it soon. its an '84 hard top but i really want the t-top so im thinking i might just try this although it probably wont be till next winter or spring. i will contemplate it over time and decide when the time comes. its really good to know that the option is there though. if i hadnt seen it done i probably never would have thought it possible or very practical. thanks to you, i now know otherwise! 
03-26-2009, 11:33 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
i did the cut the a and b pillar method, but i was careful and everything was fine. i really wanted to do a targa like someone earlier mentioned, no one out there that knows anything about that? im in chicago if anyone wants to hang out, smoke, and check out each others camaros.
03-26-2009, 11:46 AM
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03-26-2009, 12:33 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
inside the wheelwells there is a flat lip that extends in to the original width, so nothing is open. in the front the stock plastic wheelwells will fit back in place and fill the gap.
03-26-2009, 01:56 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Can you buy those rear quarters still?
03-26-2009, 05:15 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
maybe, but for those interested, i have an 87 roller with the fenders, quarters, hood, and even fiberglass front bumper. the roller is a converted ttop car too, so i guess its not too far off topic.
Last edited by 89ls1rs; 03-26-2009 at 10:04 PM.
03-26-2009, 05:27 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Sticky, but then after seeing the second page i have to say 
Are these pictures of the finished product?
Are these pictures of the finished product?
03-26-2009, 07:33 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
also sorry no pictures yet, have been busy as hell but ill try to get a few more up soon
03-26-2009, 07:39 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
the cuts weren't staggered, but we did weld on plates that overlapped the cut.
03-26-2009, 10:14 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
mine too, used straight cuts. also used leftover pillar peices trimmed to fit inside the channel, to add an extra lip inside. it helped with positioning the roof and it stays in place for welding. the new roof slips right over it and flush with the original lower pillar. the rear is the same either way, it has those 2 bolts that come out, and we cut it there. havent had any problems yet
03-26-2009, 11:18 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
mine too, used straight cuts. also used leftover pillar peices trimmed to fit inside the channel, to add an extra lip inside. it helped with positioning the roof and it stays in place for welding. the new roof slips right over it and flush with the original lower pillar. the rear is the same either way, it has those 2 bolts that come out, and we cut it there. havent had any problems yet
jonnyboy, nice job on the car by the way, read that post before i started mine
03-26-2009, 11:29 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
and why not buy a t-top car, idk felt like cutting the roof of my car.
thats like asking why guys restore their junkers instead of buying rollers. maybe some of us like to do things that others dont, i think its the guys that go the extra mile on their cars, have nicer rides. but really, i had alot of history with the car, it was my buddies car, you know the first sports car that anyone of your friends have in high school, the car that gets you into the car scene to begin with. i think that had a big part of it, i guess i wanted a t-top car, and didn't want to send this one to the crusher, it really did need it, but i brought her back instead
03-26-2009, 11:52 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
the honda was just a joke.
but if you just wanted to cut the roof off you car, well that is different that wanting a convert - you just wanted to make one.
i can go with that.
but if you just wanted to cut the roof off you car, well that is different that wanting a convert - you just wanted to make one.
i can go with that.
03-27-2009, 01:23 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
a B12 is a nissan chassis! - the old sentra's lol... anyway just throwing this little note out there, a t-top stock or converted will still decrease the rigidity of the frame (this pretty much just applies for anyone who drag races, cuz its not like its that important for daily's) but on top of that the glass adds an extra like 30 pounds or so to your already (approx.)3400 pound beast!
04-12-2009, 09:26 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
a B12 is a nissan chassis! - the old sentra's lol... anyway just throwing this little note out there, a t-top stock or converted will still decrease the rigidity of the frame (this pretty much just applies for anyone who drag races, cuz its not like its that important for daily's) but on top of that the glass adds an extra like 30 pounds or so to your already (approx.)3400 pound beast!
04-23-2009, 12:41 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
im t topping my car o ill be selling my hard top if your interested...
04-23-2009, 03:14 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
heres the seats mounted in it and the inside painted. The motor is built now, and so is the trans, fully forged internals in both, and the 12 bolt is sitting pretty in there as well. 4.11 on a spool and 33 spline moser axles. this thing will be a beast one day. this weekend i am going to finish undercoating the car, and maybe finish the brake lines as well, converting to LS1 brakes at the moment. hopefully will have the motor and trans in there within the next month so i can start rewiring the whole car, then get into a custom interior, and some touch up paint. i got a ton of pics so if you guys got any questions or want to see something else just let me know. got summer vacation from school in two weeks so ill have more free time finally. thank god
04-23-2009, 07:04 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
what seats are those? and how do you like them?
06-14-2009, 01:32 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
finally motor and trans are in. now to go through the cluster **** wiring thats in the car. with any luck she be started on the 4th of july. got to get moving so maybe one year i can actually make it to a car show.
06-16-2009, 12:39 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
looks really nice. think i need to start practicing on the welder, its been years... lol... planning on doing alot of cutting and welding this winter, all the wheel wells are rusted and behind the stupid limited slip one wheel wonder burnout tire, the bottom rusted through under the spare tire. so, this was just added to the list of things to do this winter... yay... i get t-tops
12-07-2009, 07:30 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
hate to bring back a dead thread, but you really have guts. I did a t top conversion of my 4th gen and people thought i had guts. Good job.
12-07-2009, 09:46 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
looks pretty easy to be honest..
Now if only i knew how to weld....
Now if only i knew how to weld....
01-10-2010, 01:46 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Ive been wanting to do this for sometime, but go all they way and convert it to targa top as well, my only real concern is structrual integrity and the amount of body flex I will get from converting to t tops or targa top. The way I would do it is convert to t tops and once i get sick of those convert to targa top. Im wanting to still be able to keep the the rear seats so an 8point cage is kinda outta the questions, Im sure I could find a way to make a cage that will protect but it wont be stip legal
01-10-2010, 02:05 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Really why isnt this a sticky yet?!?!?!?!
01-10-2010, 04:55 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
I'd love to take a t-top car & "weld" the center bar to the t-tops. Targa/T-top car!
01-10-2010, 05:39 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
this is what this is all about having the tops to remove and enjoy your car the way you want to. now im not saying that this is for every one, but i hope that it helps the few of you brave enough to tackle this project. it really isn't that hard to do. i also would like to point out that this will also work for you guys that want t-top to hard top, and all around roof replacement. if there is anything that i have left out or something that needs better explaining, let me know and ill try my best to clear it up.
01-12-2010, 06:31 PM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
Trying this with a cage in place is going to really be tuff. there will be next to no room when trying to weld in the brackets on the b- pillars. my suggestion then is to place the cage in the car but dont weld it in place yet. put the top back on the car and get welded into place completely. then weld the cage to the car.
01-13-2010, 07:03 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
I will definitely post pics of it installed should be in within 2-3 weeks. What are the main points to brace when you cut it off. My car is on jack stands heres what it looks like now. Minus the windshield we took out last weekend.
01-13-2010, 10:28 AM
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Re: adding a t-top roof
[QUOTE=camaropurestock;4399508]I will definitely post pics of it installed should be in within 2-3 weeks. What are the main points to brace when you cut it off. My car is on jack stands heres what it looks like now. Minus the windshield we took out last weekend.
Do you have sub frame connectors, that will deffinately help. i have pictures of the bracing. you pretty much want to keep tha car from folding in half or twisting
Do you have sub frame connectors, that will deffinately help. i have pictures of the bracing. you pretty much want to keep tha car from folding in half or twisting