atotalnincompoop

what is the difference between the early top and the 88 and on ones. i have ben trying to find a cheap replacement for my '85, but it seems that all everyone has is newer ones. is it a big deal to convert?

C4driver99

Not to hijack your thread but im curious would a 87 clear top fiit my 86 and if it does id be happy to give u my solid top it flew off my room but just has a small scuff on top....it attracts to much heat to my car and theres not enough head room as I am 6-3. If the deal works out please let me know and i could sell it for 250. Also it is the headliner has been removed so its black on top. All you need is the fabric.

c4cruiser

I think there were 3 different top attaching dimensions.
84 to E86,
E86 to 87,
and 88-later.

The primary differences were the bolt hole spacings on the windshield frame.

C4driver99

My car was made in November of 86 BUT it has cast iron heads and if im correct its suppose to have aluminum. Please correct me if wrong

BADDUCK

You are ALMOST correct. I just bought a used see through top for my 1989 coupe yesterday on evil-bay so my research is fresh.

3 Versions for C4

1984-1986E
1986L-1988
1989-1996

Hope this helps.

BADDUCK

Best I can tell ALL Verts had aluminum heads in 1986. Obviously you wern't late enough to recieve aluminum heads on your coupe.

vader86

The difference is all in the front mounting bolts, there are conversion kits available to put an earlier top on a later car but I'm not sure if they go the other way.

BADDUCK

There is a 1984-1988 retro-fit kit that will allow you to install a roof panel from a 1989 - 1996 vehicle on your earlier vehicle. I think they are about $100.

atotalnincompoop

ok, thanks guys
i'd better find an exact match

LWesthaver

Here's an illustration of the various hardware designs used to secure the C4 targa top over the years. You can use any year top on your car if you replace the mounting blocks at the top of the window frame with the correct ones for your new top. In most cases however, it's just easier to get the right top.

Click image for a larger view:

C4boy

One difference between the early and late model C4 mounting hardware is the distance between the visor pin and the torx screw (looking from inside the car at the fromt of the glass). Late 86 should be 2.75 inches, if I'm not mistaken. The early models have 3.5 inches(?) of distance between. Cast Iron heads should have stopped around production #18000 for the early model coupes (last 5 digits of your vin). Aloo-minium heads were standard on the 86 coupes made after that.

I'm pretty sure the above is accurate, but if a guru comes along and says differently, take their word over mine.