jeffp1167

I would like to add these to my 82 vette but see there is more to them then just braces. Looks like there is some sort of a transmission tunnel piece they bolt to. I would assume a 69-74 setup would not work due to the changes in the 82 dash and possible floor changes.

I know the floor of a earlier car are fiberglass but mine are metal. Is the trans tunnel metal as well in this 82 and if so could this saddle looking thing just be replaced by brackets welded to the trans tunnel?

My car has A/C as well, so would there even be room in the dash to run these braces?

Paul L

You have not attached a reference. Possibly this?



Here is the saddle. Really has nothing to do with the floor.

Timsride

They also had ones that did not use a saddle. They were just different length arms coming off bird cage lower section to windshield bottom frame. This is what was on mine, I dont believe I have any pics. I remember seeing this saddle on the forum and panicing thinking there was something else to buy. Then after checking mine out and doing a search on here I found there was two different setups. Never found out why? It appears Pauls 74 had them and my 73 didnt. Your 82 has its support in the T-roof. If your windshield isnt flexing I wouldnt worry about it. Just my opinion.

TimAT

With a little determination, you could make them with some 1/4 heim joints and some tube.

TheSkunkWorks

I've given a bit of thought to adding them to further stiffen up the cowl area of my coupe, but locating a complete setup w/saddle has proved problematic. Fabbing up one's own system mgiht be a viable option. Don't know much about the non-saddle version, but interested in more info...

FWIW, there was a minor change made during the C3 run to accomidate the AC.

SteveG75

My '75 has the rods that run from the birdcage to the cowl. No saddle.

Checking Paul's drawing, it looks like the saddle arrangement was only used on verts with A/C. Note the C60 code in lower corner of the diagram which means A/C.

Since my car does not have AC, this makes sense and lends credence to the fact that this was the bracing used on cars with A/C.

Wonder if this would work with a Vintage Air kit since I hate giving up the bracing completely?

jeffp1167

[QUOTE=paul 74;1578206022]You have not attached a reference. Possibly this?

Thanks for the illustrations. Yes these are the parts I am refering to.

This 82 isn't a T-Top

Why did the a/c cars have the saddle and non a/c cars didn't. Is this saddle just a source to mount the rods? Or was it used to strengthen the trans tunnel as well.

Paul L

Yes my 1974 convertible does have A/C. I am not familiar with the Vintage Air setup.

Paul L

[QUOTE=jeffp1167;1578209052]Unfortunately I do not have answers for your questions.

SteveG75

[QUOTE=jeffp1167;1578209052]I expect that the different design is due to the size and weight of the A/C unit under the dash.

KevinK

I would imagine that having A/C changes the tollerence levels for flex. Thus the bracing.

Paul L

[QUOTE=SteveG75;1578209424]Sounds plausible. If you add the evaporator and box to the heater core apparatus (shown) there is a lot tugging on the firewall area and the heavy braces are on the passenger side.

c69vete

Here is a pic of my 69 non-AC car with the dash out. You can see the bracing to the dash, but none going to the tranny tunnel, supporting the fact that The AC convertibles had a different set. My GUESS would be the limited room because of the additional duct work for the AC.

Paul L

Great pic. And what you say makes sense. I take it that coupes (A/C or non-A/C) do NOT have any bracing?

jeffp1167

I'm curious if those 80'ish duntov vert conversions as well as others ever had the bracing added. I have never driven this 82 since it was converted so I am not sure if there will be any cowl issues with it as is. However it's interior and dash is out so figured now would be the time to add these braces if they are really needed.

It was basically converted with a 75 rear clip and hardtop. It is setup for the door wedges as well. I don't ever plan on driving the car on with it's top up so that is why the questions regarding these braces.

gator79

[QUOTE=SteveG75;1578209424]that makes a lot of sense, my 71 factory a/c convertible has two braces on the passenger side, the lower one goes from the tunnel to the lower firewall under the original case. I bet that was to give the firewall extra stiffness.

PeteZO6

It's good to know my '69'convertible without air isn't the only one with a brace like yours.
While a C3 convertible has considerable frame flex on bumpy roads, there really isn't any cowl shake like a lot of topless cars exhibit.

Pete
PS. Yeah, I know it's an old thread, but some of this stuff is timeless.