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

86 top question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 07:10 PM
  #1  
oderja's Avatar
oderja
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Osceola Ne
Default 86 top question

I have a 86 coupe and I'm going to be looking for a fiberglass top for it sometime in the future. I know they changed the top during the 86 production early ones were 85-86 and later was 86-88 and the 84 was by it self. Can anyone tell me how I can tell which top I will need? How can you tell by looking at them? Was there a date/VIN that was a cut off between the early and late tops?

Thanks,

John
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 07:14 PM
  #2  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: 86 top question (oderja)

84-86E, 86L-88, 89-96 are the tops.

There are retrofit kits that let you use the later tops.

There is a way to tell by measuring the distance from the shades to the bolt hole, but you can just tell me your VIN and I would know.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 09:26 PM
  #3  
LWesthaver's Avatar
LWesthaver
Burning Brakes
Conversation Starter
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 984
Likes: 154
From: Columbia MD
Default Re: 86 top question (oderja)

FYI: These are the various mounts used over the years:


Reply
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 09:51 PM
  #4  
AGENT 86's Avatar
AGENT 86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,306
Likes: 242
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Default Re: 86 top question (LWesthaver)

FYI: These are the various mounts used over the years:

Now thats a good answer :thumbs:
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2003 | 11:47 AM
  #5  
oderja's Avatar
oderja
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Osceola Ne
Default Re: 86 top question (oderja)

Thanks every one for the information I believe I have a 86L. Also it was mentioned that there are kit available to adapt later year tops to these cars who has these? Or do I just need to find parts from a later car?

Thanks,

John
My 86 project http://www.ocsracing.info/86_vette.htm
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2003 | 01:42 PM
  #6  
LWesthaver's Avatar
LWesthaver
Burning Brakes
Conversation Starter
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 984
Likes: 154
From: Columbia MD
Default Re: 86 top question (oderja)

Thanks every one for the information I believe I have a 86L. Also it was mentioned that there are kit available to adapt later year tops to these cars who has these? Or do I just need to find parts from a later car?

Thanks,

John
My 86 project http://www.ocsracing.info/86_vette.htm
Ecklers sells a kit that includes all the parts needed to adapt 89-96 tops to 84-88 cars for $109.00 (part # 38127).

I may be mistaken, but I believe that you can adapt *any year top* to *any year car* as long as you have:

a) the top with:
b) the 'A' pillar mounting brackets (attached at the top of the windshield)
c) the upper interior windshield trim

Good luck :thumbs:
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2003 | 02:51 PM
  #7  
oderja's Avatar
oderja
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Osceola Ne
Default Re: 86 top question (LWesthaver)

Thanks I'll check this out!!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 86 top question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:36 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE