C4 convertible rigidity -- thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by rannoch
Hi guys,
I've been going back and forth on convertibles, C4 v. C5, so will try to steer clear of any religious debate there.
However the question I do have is how "rattly" the C4 is going to be, in terms of body, interior, and overall chassis rigidity.
Having owned a couple of mid/late-80s convertibles, and being disappointed by both of them, I'm kinda skeptical. I know this is subjective, and I'm hoping to drive a '93 soonishly, but can anyone around offer a general notion of how the convertibles feel? And if there's any known solutions for curing such issues?
Thanks much!
- Pat
I've been going back and forth on convertibles, C4 v. C5, so will try to steer clear of any religious debate there.
However the question I do have is how "rattly" the C4 is going to be, in terms of body, interior, and overall chassis rigidity.Having owned a couple of mid/late-80s convertibles, and being disappointed by both of them, I'm kinda skeptical. I know this is subjective, and I'm hoping to drive a '93 soonishly, but can anyone around offer a general notion of how the convertibles feel? And if there's any known solutions for curing such issues?
Thanks much!
- Pat
I think you need to clarify your question. Do you mean interior rattles or do you mean cowl shake and frame stiffness/torsional strength.
The C5 is going to shame the C4 in cowl shake and frame stiffness/torsional strength but isn't necessarily going to have more or less interior rattles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by jerkyboy
I had a 92 coupe a few years back. with the targa top off, I crack the windshield twice because it got so loose. With my vert and it's x brace its tighter than my 92 was without the roof. Add my hard top, its tighter than my coupe was with the roof on!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
Originally Posted by Caboboy
One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the cross brace from R&D. It fits behind the seats and eliminates the body flex altogether 
I used to dread the 1-2 shifts when I was on the nitrous 'cause it felt like the car wanted to flip over sometimes (I've got a shift kit). But now even with the new 421 there's no more of that. It's now as rigid as my removeable hardtop would be if I had it on
Plus, there's nothing like a Vert
I used to dread the 1-2 shifts when I was on the nitrous 'cause it felt like the car wanted to flip over sometimes (I've got a shift kit). But now even with the new 421 there's no more of that. It's now as rigid as my removeable hardtop would be if I had it on Plus, there's nothing like a Vert
Interesting. Dave all but talked me out of the behind-the-seat cross bracea couple years back. If I remember correctly, on the convertibles it's not much more than a camera mount. (Much different for the coupes.)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: South Haven Michigan
I have owned an 89 Convertible for 6 years and just put on the R&D Cross Brace and Camber Brace and it is a different car.
Don't get me wrong, I like my car, and for the money it is a great handling car. However, if I had the money and was buying now, I would get a C5. I have read that 2001 and newer are the best. When these type questions come up it seems like you should get the newest car you can afford.
Don't get me wrong, I like my car, and for the money it is a great handling car. However, if I had the money and was buying now, I would get a C5. I have read that 2001 and newer are the best. When these type questions come up it seems like you should get the newest car you can afford.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Originally Posted by rannoch
.........However the question I do have is how "rattly" the C4 is going to be, in terms of body, interior, and overall chassis rigidity.
- Pat
- Pat
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Semmes Al
Originally Posted by REDC4CORVETTE
I have a 94 .They put X brace under the car on that year no noise.
I installed a roll bar no problem.
I only get noise and creaking when my hard top is on.
I installed a roll bar no problem.
I only get noise and creaking when my hard top is on.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
One big difference between the C4 vert and the C5 is that the C5 was designed as a convertible. Corvette engineers knew about the rigidity issues with the C4 and decided that the C5 platform should start out life as a convertible design even though the C5 vert didn't appear till the 98 model year. That made the C5 coupe very stiff and the fixed roof coupe was really a 'vert with a permanently affixed roof.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Sorry for the delay in getting back... hopefully I'll be able to get myself set up with something in the next couple months, depending on how fast I can sell the current car(s), and whether or not I go through with buying a house, heh.
Thanks very much to all of you who shared your thoughts!
Thanks very much to all of you who shared your thoughts!
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas / Scotland
Originally Posted by Mark_Sheehy
Don't get me wrong, I like my car, and for the money it is a great handling car. However, if I had the money and was buying now, I would get a C5. I have read that 2001 and newer are the best. When these type questions come up it seems like you should get the newest car you can afford.
