Looking for a good hatch vent for my 95. When the targa top is off I feel a thumping inside the cabin when speeds are around 40 to 55. Above 55 things are good.

I've seen these all over from $29.99 and up.

1. Any suggestions on where to purchase a good one?
2. Whats a good price?

Thanks

 

Are you talking about the little clip that holds your rear hatch open about a inch? Ecklers and Midamerica sells them.

 

Google "Corvette gadget man".

Kevin

 

I used to have a '96 CE coupe and I bought the hatch vent (about $29-39) which can be put on quickly without a tool. It simply twists into place. If was fairly effective but the best two things I did to combat the wind whipping me in the face and head were to buy a "Windjammer" which attaches to the top of windshield and and the little wind deflectors which attach to your side mirrors for about $29 ( they came stock on all later model C-4 roadsters but weren't available on coupes)to block the flow of wind that hits you in the face at speed. I believe I bought all of the above items thru Eckler's. I had the hatch vent first and it is best for venting cabin heat when car is parked in hot sun. I found that the Windjammer seemed to be the most effective when it was used without the hatch vent. I also found that the hatch vent thing further reduces the rigidity of the C4 chassis. Believe it or not, the curved rear glass adds alot of rigidity to the C-4 and if you drive with the rear hatch vented you will notice.
To help combat this problem I went to a gasket supply house and bought a large piece of black neoprene (like rubber shoe sole) and I used a band saw to cut two "rubber" blocks to brace the rear corners of the rear glass when raised on the vent hatch. These blocks were about 3/4 inch thick and were cut to fit snuggly at each rear corner. They had a notch cut in the top of them which extended forward to allow the trailing edge of the glass to fit in the notch. I made several plywood prototypes until I had the fit just right. I then traced the proto on to the rubber and cut it on the band saw. Just adding these two blocks back there significantly increased the rigidity. I think I paid about 10 or $12 for the block of rubber and it was big enough to make 2 or 3 sets of blocks. On the other hand I paid $150 for the Windjammer.
I hope the above will give you some insight into what you can do and at what cost.

 

Thanks!

I'm going to keep shopping around. I may skip on the hatch vent since it doesn't sound like it does a whole lot & I don't want to compromise the rigidity anymore when the tops off.

My biggest concern would be to crack the back glass if the car flexes too much.

Thanks guys.

 

If your talking about actual "body flex" get a crossbar that goes behind the seats and a camber brace. Also I believe theres one that goes under the car but I wouldnt mess with that. C4s seem to flex alot. Kinda sucks if you think about it. Goodluck!

 

Gadget man here http://www.corvettegadgetman.com/products.html
I only use one part for the latcch and not the light. I disconnected the light switch which doen not effect the alarm. Only the light don't go on with the hatch open, so it's a PITA anyway.

 

I use the one Corvette Central has. The "quick connect" type.
The C4 is a BEAUTIFUL machine, but there is a flaw in design somewhere with the top out and the hatch closed.
The turbulence is just too much with the hatch closed and not vented.
cc

 

I used to have the screw on type from Ecklers, but it got brittle after a year and broke. Same for a friend of mine's.


Then many years back someone on the forum here was making solid CNC routed aluminum pieces with a nice thumbscrew on it. He made them in a limited production only, and I was able to get one.

Its the BEST one I've ever seen produced.

I wished I remembered who made them, I'd like to tell him thanks again for such a quality item.

 

The rubber block idea is one I'll be stealing The flexing is annoying, especially here on Wisconsin's rough roads. Should also stop the glass from wiggling around! GREAT IDEA!!!

 

Corvette Central is the one I use...screw on type...they work like a dream!

 

Been using mine for about 10 years now, and never a problem is it either.

 

To eliminate the "thumping" try lowering your windows a little. Like a 1/4 of 1/8". This will eliminate the "thumping".

-Chris

 

corvette gadgetman is the way to go, $25 shipped, i've been usung mine for about 2 years with no problems at all

 

I agree!

 

www.corvettegadgetman.com


In fact I just got mine in the mail.... Took me 30 seconds to install

 

Corvette gadget man...I have one of his vents. It is a great deal and the hatch vent works nicely. It will reduce temps in the vette and help with the ratteling. Good luck!

 

Forum member Kevin McGrade made some out of billet aluminum a while back. I was fortunate enough to get one.

 

Yep, I had 3 of them at one time.. ended up selling 2 of them..

I have one more somewherein my tool box, I just use the 2 pc quick release one, most places sell

 

I've gotta try one of the hatch vents.

I yanked the targa panel out of my LT4 coupe for the first time on Sunday afternoon, and the wind turbulence flat wore me out after less than 30 minutes. I found the turbulence far more annoying than the cowl shake.

The turbulence in this coupe annoys me even with the targa panel installed, the passenger window up, and only the driver's window down. It gets much worse when the passenger's window is also down, and it is unbearable with the targa panel removed.

Just to satisfy my curiosity, I briefly raised both windows at highway speed with the targa removed. If you haven't tried this yet, you owe it to yourself to do so just to see how truly awful it is!

If a hatch vent doesn't dramatically improve the turbulence situation, the targa panel will be staying on my coupe.

The relative lack of turbulence is one reason I love driving my '94 with the ragtop stowed...

Be well,

SJW