C5 Z06 convertible
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
There is an additional brace behind the seats on the vert. Coupes don't have it because of the open cargo area.
Z06/FRC have the frame features of both the Coupe and Vert.
That's why they are 12% torsionally stiffer. If he cut off the bar across the roof, theoretically it should still be as stiff as a vert.
But I think putting Z06 wheels, springs, shocks, and sway bars on a vert along with a few bolt ons to get up to LS6 hp/tq levels makes better sense than hacking up a Z06.
But I suppose it doesn't matter if this Z06 was already totaled.
Z06/FRC have the frame features of both the Coupe and Vert.
That's why they are 12% torsionally stiffer. If he cut off the bar across the roof, theoretically it should still be as stiff as a vert.
But I think putting Z06 wheels, springs, shocks, and sway bars on a vert along with a few bolt ons to get up to LS6 hp/tq levels makes better sense than hacking up a Z06.
But I suppose it doesn't matter if this Z06 was already totaled.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
IIRC, the C6 Z06 frame is aluminum rather than steel, but I am unaware of any structural differences in the C5 family.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,022
Likes: 2,571
From: Del Boca Vista FL
The hydroformed chassis for the C5 was engineered, designed and prototyped for the C5 as a convertible. Frame rigidity was designed to be sufficient without a closed roof design.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
Amazing
The repair job was great, and a z06 rag top is not something you see every day. Add the engine mods and it's one of a kind. Things got 335s on the back and still spins mid acceleration. headers, heads, exhaust mods, cam, upgraded tranny, program, etc. Crazy. I plan to tear into the side panels and check where the roof cross member was removed this spring.
My only complaint is that the donor panels are silver/light grey when the car was torch red originally. But that just gives me a canvas I suppose.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
I've heard it can go either way with these, but this was done very well. Super pleased. I told myself my next toy would be a ragtop stick with juice. Bonus.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Coupes, verts and Z06's are all structurally the same, there is no additional bracing anywhere. The C5 was designed as a convertible first so it wouldn't need any bracing. The coolest version was done by Gary of GBVette, whose car has been posted on the forum many times. It is a Z06 coupe which converts to a convertible minus the hardtop so that it can have any version of top he desires. Or no top at all. Up where I live I saw a Z06 with a targa conversion, that really interested me. Caravaggio used to do that mod for about $3500, I don't know if he still does that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Too funny I found this thread. I bought this very car. In the picture. If you can find the original post about the conversion, I'd love to see it! It's amazing. I've owned vetts for almost 20 years. This thing wasn't only converted to a convertible when it was hit, the car was built to scream. I would buy it again in a heartbeat after seeing it and would have paid more.
The repair job was great, and a z06 rag top is not something you see every day. Add the engine mods and it's one of a kind. Things got 335s on the back and still spins mid acceleration. headers, heads, exhaust mods, cam, upgraded tranny, program, etc. Crazy. I plan to tear into the side panels and check where the roof cross member was removed this spring.
My only complaint is that the donor panels are silver/light grey when the car was torch red originally. But that just gives me a canvas I suppose.
The repair job was great, and a z06 rag top is not something you see every day. Add the engine mods and it's one of a kind. Things got 335s on the back and still spins mid acceleration. headers, heads, exhaust mods, cam, upgraded tranny, program, etc. Crazy. I plan to tear into the side panels and check where the roof cross member was removed this spring.
My only complaint is that the donor panels are silver/light grey when the car was torch red originally. But that just gives me a canvas I suppose.
