4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? - Page 2

ss3011 · 09-12-2016, 03:35 PM

I built my 97 Firebird from a body in white . If the roof is off , the structure underneath is basically the same . A coupe has a metal piece that is spot welded across the side window opening . That part is not there on the T-Top cars . So the difference in weight is the T-Top itself . The roof on a coupe is just a thin piece of plastic that is bonded on the under structure . I agree, a well designed roll cage will provide all the structure you would need .

Woodfin · 09-12-2016, 03:48 PM

If we get a non - T core car can we easily remove the glued on top to aid in construction access?

ss3011 · 09-12-2016, 04:28 PM

I think its a poly urethane adhesive, which is really high strength . I would say there is no way to get the roof off and be able to reuse it . Are those roofs still available through GM ? I bought one years ago, but GM typically only has parts available for 5-10 years after the model goes out of production . Although they still sell fenders for Tri-Five Chevy's , I've been told .

Woodfin · 09-12-2016, 05:02 PM

I appreciate the ideas from everyone.

Thanks,

we are finding a non - T car and going to work

Jeff Stout · 09-12-2016, 05:05 PM

One of my street car go fast guys came by to look at my 94 Firebird that was for sale. Once he seen it was a T-top he wasn't interested as he stated 35 lbs heavier. Don't know how factual it is.

Rich Biebel · 09-12-2016, 06:35 PM

My Firebird stocker was a t-top car and had a full stocker legal cage.

It was built by PK racecars in Ohio and did some pretty high wheelies and still does....

60' times routinely in the very low 1.30's and even into the 1.20's IIRC

There was never any evidence of flex...

I did not like that it was a t-top car but it made zero difference in how it worked.....they do leak water though as I left it outside for a while before I finished it......

HR9121 · 09-13-2016, 07:37 AM

You could save weight and run it with the tops out. I goes it would be legal with the cage, I know that Keith Mayers runs Super Street with his sunroof open in his Porche and it would make for good ventilation on those really hot days.

FED 387 · 09-13-2016, 12:45 PM

Larry check your emails Dick

countrypuppy4865 · 09-13-2016, 01:34 PM

The tops can be removed and reused. I wouldn't say easily, but it can be done. As stated above the adhesive is very hard and similar to urethane. The black car I am running in super stock now was a t top car that we converted to a hard top. There is some structure where the top of the window would meet near the roof that has to be cut off a donor and welded in.

FED 387 · 09-13-2016, 02:04 PM

Removing the plastic roof sail is fairly easy IF you use a wire saw like they use for windshields slide it under the part and start sawing back and forth thru the adhesive. Take your time cutting that piece is about $400 if you break it. It will come off just takes a long time to remove ut

09-12-2016, 03:35 PM	#11
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 909 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? I built my 97 Firebird from a body in white . If the roof is off , the structure underneath is basically the same . A coupe has a metal piece that is spot welded across the side window opening . That part is not there on the T-Top cars . So the difference in weight is the T-Top itself . The roof on a coupe is just a thin piece of plastic that is bonded on the under structure . I agree, a well designed roll cage will provide all the structure you would need .

09-12-2016, 03:48 PM	#12
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 535 Likes: 8 Liked 274 Times in 105 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? If we get a non - T core car can we easily remove the glued on top to aid in construction access?

09-12-2016, 04:28 PM	#13
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 909 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? I think its a poly urethane adhesive, which is really high strength . I would say there is no way to get the roof off and be able to reuse it . Are those roofs still available through GM ? I bought one years ago, but GM typically only has parts available for 5-10 years after the model goes out of production . Although they still sell fenders for Tri-Five Chevy's , I've been told .

09-12-2016, 05:02 PM	#14
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 535 Likes: 8 Liked 274 Times in 105 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? I appreciate the ideas from everyone. Thanks, we are finding a non - T car and going to work

09-12-2016, 05:05 PM	#15
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,486 Likes: 66 Liked 704 Times in 281 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? One of my street car go fast guys came by to look at my 94 Firebird that was for sale. Once he seen it was a T-top he wasn't interested as he stated 35 lbs heavier. Don't know how factual it is.

09-12-2016, 06:35 PM	#16
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? My Firebird stocker was a t-top car and had a full stocker legal cage. It was built by PK racecars in Ohio and did some pretty high wheelies and still does.... 60' times routinely in the very low 1.30's and even into the 1.20's IIRC There was never any evidence of flex... I did not like that it was a t-top car but it made zero difference in how it worked.....they do leak water though as I left it outside for a while before I finished it...... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

09-13-2016, 07:37 AM	#17
HR9121 Live Reporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 3,467 Likes: 146 Liked 3,363 Times in 731 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? You could save weight and run it with the tops out. I goes it would be legal with the cage, I know that Keith Mayers runs Super Street with his sunroof open in his Porche and it would make for good ventilation on those really hot days. __________________ James Williamson W200 J/SA. SS/JA

09-13-2016, 12:45 PM	#18
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? Larry check your emails Dick

09-13-2016, 01:34 PM	#19
countrypuppy4865 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Donaldsonville, LA Posts: 980 Likes: 17 Liked 228 Times in 70 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? The tops can be removed and reused. I wouldn't say easily, but it can be done. As stated above the adhesive is very hard and similar to urethane. The black car I am running in super stock now was a t top car that we converted to a hard top. There is some structure where the top of the window would meet near the roof that has to be cut off a donor and welded in. __________________ Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo, Jr. 4865 E/SA '04 GTO 4865 SS/GA '99 Firebird

09-13-2016, 02:04 PM	#20
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? Removing the plastic roof sail is fairly easy IF you use a wire saw like they use for windshields slide it under the part and start sawing back and forth thru the adhesive. Take your time cutting that piece is about $400 if you break it. It will come off just takes a long time to remove ut