Anyone done it?

I know the top off flex-feel of the coupe is normal and not damaging but it sure is annoying. My steering wheel feels like it is bouncing all over the place on any kind of non perfect road. Does the vert bracing help? Would it be worth it? I've seen the aftermarket braces that bolt on top in place of the targa but that kind of defeats the purpose of going topless.

Has anyone else been annoyed enough to do anything about it?

I'm not even sure what the vert bracing looks like, if it is adaptable to the coupe, or if its even readily available. I have a welder and can weld but I'm hoping it wouldnt require that. Pics welcome.

 

I dont know if its even worth it. You would add a decent amount of weight using the cross bar underneath, and you would decrease the ground clearance a bit.

There are other braces that help the same symptoms you care referring to that are smaller, lighter, and bolt on.

 

Its been done many times, usually for track cars. You lose 1" of ground clearance. Instead of the factory convertible brace you will want one of the stiffer aftermarket versions like http://www.r-dracing.com/CROSS-FRAME.htm

Thomas

 

Do it! There no drawbacks. The coupe gives me the creeps with the roof panel off. The steering wheel fells like it belongs to another car when you are driving with the panel off.

 

I had a 92 Vert. That thing flexed so bad I used to call it "Titanic"

 

A convertible with the auxillary hardtop in place has less flex then a regular coupe - so the frame brace does work.

If you check on the website link I gave, they have other products to reduce flex on the C4.

Thomas

 

A TARGA-TRUSS Bar took the flex out of my car.

 

I just bought this... Pro Street Custom AFSB The look of it is top notch! I did however have a problem bolting it up to my '85, as the front locator cones did not have enough adjustment. I am working with Tom Gasper @ Pro Street to correct this, as well as giving him additional info on the older cars to get it to fit properly. I am pleased with the look of the product as the service I am receiving from Tom. I will let you know what I think of it when i actually get it to bolt up. He told me he designed it for autocrossing, which to me mean it would be alot strong that some to help prevent the extreme flexing a car would have when autocrossing compared to regular street driving. To me having that two bar run along the center of the car would not deter the top off effect.

 

ggrassmid the AFSB really does look nice. The pricetag on it is a big one though but I may start saving my pennies.

 

Its really not much more than the R&D brace, but I think it looks alot better, almost like you could've gotten it from the factory. When I ordered mine in March, Tom said he had a free shipping deal going on for Forum members, so you could ask about that, that would save $25 if he is still doing that.

I will, however, eventually order the R&D cross brace(X-brace) and the camber brace they sell. I do autocrossing with me car, but dont mind the roughness I encounter on the street with such options added on. Currently driving on Z51 springs, bilstien autocross shocks, and 32/26mm VB&P solid sway bars. Definately not easily riden in by someone with a weak/sore neck and back, it'll beat you up. But I had no problems driving it for 5+ hours from Cinci to Chicago to Rantoul, autocross for the weekend and then drive back.

 

I just ran across this...
Check it out:
http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/forum...3708.html#4905

 

I actually went ahead and ordered the AFSB. Sure it is pricey, but at the same time I don't plan on getting rid of the car and this will surely enhance the driving experience quite a bit. Plus the look of it grew on me rather quickly.

 

You could always put a roll bar in it. It tightened up my 92 coupe even with the top in place!

 

The Targa Truss is the best mod avalible to the c4 short of a roll cage.The AFSB you ordered looks alot better than the Targa Truss.I personally have the Targa Truss & underbody X-brace installed on my 94 vette.I first bought & installed theX-brace(R&D).It did NOT fit properly & took me about 3hrs to make it fit,& I am a professionalWith the x-brace installed there is a small improvent but if I had to do it all over again I would either build my own from scratch or find a factory convertible X-brace.Keep in mind that X-brace is heavy(R&D) & will decrease ground clearance.Now the next part I installed on my vette was the Targa Truss.That made a night & day difference.Before I would not drive the car with the top off due to how chitty it drove.But when its nice out I can't wait to take the top off & put on the Targa Truss.You still get the top off effect but it ties the chassis together.EVERY C4 OWNER SHOULD HAVE ONE.Keep in mind that I had to mess around with the Truss to fit as anything aftermarket does not always fit perfectly.It took me about an hour to get the truss fitting perfectly(some grinding,test fitting,etc),but it was something that completely changed the way the car drives with the top off.It works better than when the top is in place.Only downside is if your over 6 ft your head will come in contact with the truss at the rear mounting location.The AFSB looks to be thinner there so it may not be a problem.Sometimes though over large bumps my head comes into contact with the truss.You will like the improvementBy the way rarely does my X-brace ever scrape & our roads here in Minneasota are the worst-I spent alot of time modifing the X-brace to tuck up as close to the body as possible without rubbing on anything & giving me the most ground clearance.I also think the AFSB you ordered looks way better than the Targa Truss.Save your $ on the X-brace & buy a camber brace,I hear good things about it

 

Is your roll cage a bolt-in or made from scratch?Pics would be awesomeI would love a roll cage in my car.Can you still store your top in the back & can you still see out the back properly?To me the c4 would be perfect if its chassis wasn't so flimsy. on the pics.

 

Glad to hear I'm making a good investment. I'm no where near 6ft so I guess I don't have to worry about head clearance!

After hearing the clearance issues I've decided against the vert x brace. I live in a condo complex with many large double speedbumps.

I'm curious about the camber brace, I don't really know what it is. Link/pics?

 

I don't know how to post links but if you Goggle camber brace you'll find it.$210 for it.Anyone with it(Camber brace),tell us if its worth it & if you noticed any difference