Not sure if this goes here, but I'll try....
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Temple, Texas
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1993 Firebird Formula
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 4L60
Not sure if this goes here, but I'll try....
Hey ya'll. I've been doing some thinking about what car to purchase next and I have a few questions pertaining to the structure of the 3rd gen F-Body. I've got a Buick 455 in my 81 T/A, but it's just a project car and I can't really do anything with it. I'm thinking about purchasing a V8 3rd gen Camaro, driving it until I feel like tearing into it, and then swapping in my 455 Buick. My question is, since this motor will make a buttload of torque, am I better off with a hardtop or T-Top? Can I just weld in some subframe connectors and other suspension items to the T-Top car and be fine? Or should I stick with a hardtop and not worry about body flex at all. I'd REALLY like to have a T-Top car (All my previous F-Bodies have been hardtops), but I could live with another hard top if it would be better off for the car. Anyone?
#2
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Tomball, TX
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 0
Received 20 Likes
on
16 Posts
Car: 89 TTA
Engine: Turbo 3.8
Transmission: 200R4
Structurally the hardtop is better but if you really like the open air, go with the T top. They can be made plenty strong enough to handle the power a 455 can put out. SFCs are a must even for a 4 cylinder T top car so I'd suggest getting a quality set. If you are still worried you could always put in a cage. Check the Engine Swap board to see if anyone has done this before; it could give you some ideas of what they did to stiffen up the chassis and could potentially save you many many headaches down the road.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Temple, Texas
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1993 Firebird Formula
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 4L60
Yea, that's what I figured. Like I said, I wouldn't mind a hardtop but a T-Top would be much nicer! Thanks for the info!
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,120
Likes: 0
Received 123 Likes
on
104 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
My car is a T-Top. It has SFC and a full cage though. It's making a lot more power than your 455 will.
There's times when I wished I had a hard top but poping the T-Tops out when I'm working in the car makes climbing over the door bars easier even with a halo bar.
There's times when I wished I had a hard top but poping the T-Tops out when I'm working in the car makes climbing over the door bars easier even with a halo bar.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post