Someone please help this C5 owner out
09-21-2009, 11:03 AM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
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Someone please help this C5 owner out
Before he completely butchers his car 
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/380635.aspx
To All in the know (or the opinion thereof),
I am looking to alter my convertible Corvette to add safety, keep it cleaner (I'll explain), and to meet requirements to take it out on track days or to time trial the car. I have a 2003 Convertible Corvette that many of you have seen on course over the past several years. My hopes are, with Danny Popp's expertise, to put a Z06 top on my car and a legal roll bar (4 point). I know the update/backdate rules would allow it, as would rules providing for turning a sunroof equipped car into a solid roof. I tow this car behind a diesel pickup truck so the cloth top is filthy with soot. And to those of you that have seen this car this year you might have recognized body panel damage from a disconcerting off-track excursion I had this past March, further justification for the rollbar and hardtop.
My concern and question is this: I have a top from a 2004 Z06 with the B-pillar still in place but was cut off the original car with a sawzall (sp?). Since I'm putting in a rollbar, I was considering installing the top and not attempting the B-pillar installation. My concern is if using the update/backdate rule it would make sense that without the B-pillar this could be protestable. I can't find a rule allowing for the addition of a hard top otherwise. From a common sense perspective, it's not like I'll be saving weight because the rollbar will way more than makeup for the "savings" of not installing the B-pillar, and the rollbar itself would be providing all the safety feature otherwise provided by the B-pillar. Furthermore, street-prepared rules do allow for the removal of the convertible top and mechanism.
I'm just looking for an idea of how to proceed. Danny has the car in his shop right now, and we're ready to tear out the convertible mechanism and tonneau cover.
Your knowledge and advice is greatly appreciated,
Gregory Lloyd
77 ASP
2003 AE Convertible (Z06)
2008 VR Z06 Corvette
http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/380635.aspx
To All in the know (or the opinion thereof),
I am looking to alter my convertible Corvette to add safety, keep it cleaner (I'll explain), and to meet requirements to take it out on track days or to time trial the car. I have a 2003 Convertible Corvette that many of you have seen on course over the past several years. My hopes are, with Danny Popp's expertise, to put a Z06 top on my car and a legal roll bar (4 point). I know the update/backdate rules would allow it, as would rules providing for turning a sunroof equipped car into a solid roof. I tow this car behind a diesel pickup truck so the cloth top is filthy with soot. And to those of you that have seen this car this year you might have recognized body panel damage from a disconcerting off-track excursion I had this past March, further justification for the rollbar and hardtop.
My concern and question is this: I have a top from a 2004 Z06 with the B-pillar still in place but was cut off the original car with a sawzall (sp?). Since I'm putting in a rollbar, I was considering installing the top and not attempting the B-pillar installation. My concern is if using the update/backdate rule it would make sense that without the B-pillar this could be protestable. I can't find a rule allowing for the addition of a hard top otherwise. From a common sense perspective, it's not like I'll be saving weight because the rollbar will way more than makeup for the "savings" of not installing the B-pillar, and the rollbar itself would be providing all the safety feature otherwise provided by the B-pillar. Furthermore, street-prepared rules do allow for the removal of the convertible top and mechanism.
I'm just looking for an idea of how to proceed. Danny has the car in his shop right now, and we're ready to tear out the convertible mechanism and tonneau cover.
Your knowledge and advice is greatly appreciated,
Gregory Lloyd
77 ASP
2003 AE Convertible (Z06)
2008 VR Z06 Corvette
09-21-2009, 03:45 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Maybe.........There are two around here now, the hardtop came with a b-pillar in it still glued in (because they are a PITA to remove ).
I could just leave it "bolt in" and not glued so that he can remove the hardtop and presto......it is legal without the b-pillar
just put the tonneau door back in place....5 bolts and roof comes off.Or he could just disappear from SCCA solo and start doing NASA TT with his suedo FRC.....
Roll bar > b-pillar.......
09-21-2009, 04:47 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
09-21-2009, 05:00 PM
#7
Race Director
I converted a coupe to hardtop a few years back. He'll need a new upper tub and metal frame rail for bolting in the three rear brackets.
The front is held in place by two brackets. If he wants to go his current route, why not just buy a "hardtop" from smoothline.
09-21-2009, 05:07 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
You need the "B" pillar to help keep the roof on, especially in an accident.
I converted a coupe to hardtop a few years back. He'll need a new upper tub and metal frame rail for bolting in the three rear brackets.
The front is held in place by two brackets. If he wants to go his current route, why not just buy a "hardtop" from smoothline.
I converted a coupe to hardtop a few years back. He'll need a new upper tub and metal frame rail for bolting in the three rear brackets.
The front is held in place by two brackets. If he wants to go his current route, why not just buy a "hardtop" from smoothline.
09-21-2009, 10:13 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Nope Dont have to change tub upper or metal cross piece... use rivnuts for brackets..
<---- That used to be a convertible.. now frc
<---- That used to be a convertible.. now frc
You need the "B" pillar to help keep the roof on, especially in an accident.
I converted a coupe to hardtop a few years back. He'll need a new upper tub and metal frame rail for bolting in the three rear brackets.
The front is held in place by two brackets. If he wants to go his current route, why not just buy a "hardtop" from smoothline.
I converted a coupe to hardtop a few years back. He'll need a new upper tub and metal frame rail for bolting in the three rear brackets.
The front is held in place by two brackets. If he wants to go his current route, why not just buy a "hardtop" from smoothline.
Last edited by JVetthead; 09-21-2009 at 10:15 PM.
09-22-2009, 02:39 AM
#10
Race Director
As long as you put in a full cage and add some metal where the hold down bolts are, you should be good to go.
I just like to do things the right way.
Before
During
After
09-22-2009, 10:20 AM
#12
Race Director
It's a lot easier to go from a Hardtop to Convertible or vice versa. Accoring to GM the upper tub surrounds are different as is the placement of the speaker boxes.
All of the lower tub enclosures are the same. I spent a bunch of time researching all of the parts manuals, etc .... and I got a lot of help from Gene Culley.
I also did a stealth widebody kit from ACP at the same time. I used a combination of used and new parts to complete the job and I'm very happy with the results.
It's not for the faint at heart.
09-22-2009, 10:40 AM
#13
Racer
09-22-2009, 10:45 AM
#14
Race Director
09-23-2009, 02:33 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: Oakville Ontario,Canada
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Do you have any pics or write ups on what it took to do yours? I have a vert and also have access to a full Z roof. I have always thought it should be kinda bolt on but couldnt find anyone whos done it. Any info would be great.
09-23-2009, 10:28 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Also keep in mind the OE back glass for these are very expensive even used but not a problem if you go with lexan.
09-24-2009, 12:01 AM
#17
Instructor
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Location: Union KY
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"Go fast or go home"
09-24-2009, 12:43 PM
#20
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
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Hi...I'm Greg...I'm a recovering "waxer"! sorry to hear you think I'm going to butcher the car. It is in the eye of the beholder and all that. The car is completely badass as it is, just need to delete the heavy ragtop, add some safety, and do it a lot cheaper than buying another car and swapping out all the parts and paying all that labor.
"Go fast or go home"
"Go fast or go home"
Welcome aboard!
Just hoping to get you some good advice, sounds like your getting it.