What it takes to make t-tops for the F-body FRC *no 56k*

[Fallacy]

I posted it on the other site, but thought I'd post this for this site incase anyone is interested and maybe put in the archive. I cut t-tops out of my 98 Camaro Z-28 and used a kit I bought from the junkyard. Total in Parts (including new headliner ($115) was a shade under $500 total including the 2 t-tops, all weatherstripping, middle t-top bracket, both A-pillars.

First Cut with a dremel disk in the groove (on the side towards the front) all the way across
http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/thecut.JPG
http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/dremel.JPG

Next Peel back the Black fiberglass top (It's glued on there like a mofo)


http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/Yeah!.JPG

Until it looks like this

http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/blacktopremoved.jpg

Next ( I cut the bars, but I highly recommend just drilling out the spot welds instead = much easier)

http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/cutting.jpg

Then it looks like this. Becareful not to cut the t-top bracket built in. All the hardware to hook the new t-top mounts are already built into the chassis, don't cut them away.

http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/bothbars.jpg

Example of the holes already made for you to bolt on the t-top hardware.

http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/rearinside.jpg

http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/primed.jpg

Clean up your cut areas, sand them down and apply your primer.

Paint and install weatherstripping

http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/weatherstripping.jpg

http://www.ls1camaro.com/ttop/finshing.jpg

And it's finished !!!!

http://www.ls1camaro.com/2004/front104.jpg

Total time was about 8 hours with various friends working on it.

[Rapph]

thats nice work. did you give the seals a water test?

[Mystic04Cobra]

I've always wondered how an F-body would look as a Targa

[Fallacy]

Originally posted by Raph8erxxx
thats nice work. did you give the seals a water test?
I've been running it for two years now, and yes at first it did leak, but after trouble shooting it with water and some silicone it hasn't leaked on me since. And that's after heavy rains for 2 summers.

[Fallacy]

Here's a before pic

http://www.ls1camaro.com/1998/chevy/kyle/z3low.jpg

I get way more looks with the t-tops off now.

[Mystic04Cobra]

69,

Beautiful except.. I'm not digging those rims.

Need some HRE's :yup:

[ATC350X]

damn nice job! But werent you nervous cutting the roof off your car?:D I would be:cool:

[Fallacy]

Originally posted by NBS4
69,

Beautiful except.. I'm not digging those rims.

Need some HRE's :yup:

bah I like them better then the stock SS rims, and they are OZ 1 peice Aluminum Competition rims!! $$ 17x10.5 in the rear to fit my 315's :yum:

Originally posted by ATC350X
damn nice job! But werent you nervous cutting the roof off your car?:D I would be:cool:

I was scared shitless. I had my buddy do the first cut on the frame cause I just couldn't do it myself. :( Plus at that point I only had the car for a year at that point.