C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Adding X brace

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Old Sep 19, 2023 | 09:36 AM
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Default Adding X brace

Has anyone installed a convertible x brace on their targa C4? Does it add sufficient rigidity when the targa roof is off?

Thank you in advance.

Last edited by silverja; Sep 19, 2023 at 09:50 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2023 | 11:31 AM
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I added it. You really notice the difference with the roof off.
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Old Sep 24, 2023 | 02:46 PM
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it does really help but there are / were some vendors that had an I shaped bar to bolt in when top was out. Gave strength while still being open.
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Old Sep 28, 2023 | 09:19 PM
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Yes, I added one to my 94. It made some improvement but I still get some cowl shake. I just picked up a targa brace from Mild2Wild and if it ever stops raining I'll find out if all the shake is gone.
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Old Sep 29, 2023 | 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by IHBD
What do you guys do to attach the rear of the brace to the Coupe? The mounting holes aren't in the rear frame of the Coupe. The fronts are, but not the rears. How do you do it?
I will be drilling holes and installing Riv-Nuts of the appropriate size.
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Old Sep 29, 2023 | 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by drcook
I will be drilling holes and installing Riv-Nuts of the appropriate size.
Agreed. I got the rivet nut tool from Amazon. It was around $35 and came with the nuts needed.
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Old Sep 29, 2023 | 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by psoulliere
Agreed. I got the rivet nut tool from Amazon. It was around $35 and came with the nuts needed.
Can you post a link to it. Will save me some time looking. Thanks!!!!!!
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Old Sep 29, 2023 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by drcook
Can you post a link to it. Will save me some time looking. Thanks!!!!!!
Not a problem:
Amazon Amazon
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Old Sep 29, 2023 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by drcook
I will be drilling holes and installing Riv-Nuts of the appropriate size.
If you could take pictures and do a write up about it, I think people would appreciate that. I would.
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Old Oct 1, 2023 | 07:33 AM
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there's a guy on YOUTUBE who films the whole process. search for PLAYZWITHCARS
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Old Oct 1, 2023 | 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by greatscott73
there's a guy on YOUTUBE who films the whole process. search for PLAYZWITHCARS
Thanks that's perfect. Now I just need to get my hands on that brace!
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Old Oct 1, 2023 | 03:48 PM
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I have an 85 Z-51 car, and I have never noticed any weirdness coming from my frame, top on or top off. On the Z-51 cars, there are extra frame braces that have been attached, and I'm thinking that this makes the difference, just as much as an X brace would do. If you can't find the X, then this may be the way to go.

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Old Oct 5, 2023 | 01:26 AM
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Originally Posted by LiveWire1
I have an 85 Z-51 car, and I have never noticed any weirdness coming from my frame, top on or top off. On the Z-51 cars, there are extra frame braces that have been attached, and I'm thinking that this makes the difference, just as much as an X brace would do. If you can't find the X, then this may be the way to go.
That's for the 1987+ Z51 cars, and 1986+ Convertibles... and this (the scallops at the bottom) are required in order to fit the X Brace.
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Old Oct 5, 2023 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Techun
Thanks that's perfect. Now I just need to get my hands on that brace!
I have an OEM X-Brace cheap if you're local (from 1992 Convertible). Please don't ask me to ship, not going to.
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Old Oct 5, 2023 | 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by AZSP33D
I have an OEM X-Brace cheap if you're local (from 1992 Convertible). Please don't ask me to ship, not going to.
Sorry, I'm in PA
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