Anti-Targa topless conversion
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
This is a cool conversion, if you start with a vert you could have the best of both a vert, frc and targa. By modifying/molding a frc top to an extra tonneau cover and leaving rag top in place you could with four bolts convert it back any time.
If I keep my car for the next ten years I may have this done, the frc is by far (IMO) the best looking top on C5.
If I keep my car for the next ten years I may have this done, the frc is by far (IMO) the best looking top on C5.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 184
Likes: 22
I know I'd be interested in a straight swap for my 1999 convertible metallic blue 6 spd. If you're not set on keeping your supercharger setup, finding someone to either purchase your car or trade might the easiest. Might be worth posting a sale / trade ad with a price (per forum rules). You never know own what's out there until you try.
If I did something similar to this:
http://www.geocities.ws/cizekma/Z06Vert.html
Without the soft top and left the structual part of the halo in place, I wonder if road noise would be terrible. If I could find the trim parts off a salvaged convertible already painted the same color, it would be low cost.
here is the targa top diy:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-general/3416643-frc-z06-targa-conversion-diy-how-to-3.html
I'm assuming having a body shop splice and paint would be pretty expensive.
3rd option...I can buy an actual convertible...maybe with high mileage and with an automatic trasmission for $12k. Then drop the chassis out the bottom and swap with my z51. Then I could sell the z51 as a high mileage auto for $10k. This sounds daunting without a lift and costly to have someone else do it. Also, I don't like the idea of no roll protection, so I'd have to do something about that.
4th option...I can buy an actual convertible with low miles and a manual transmission for $18k. Pin the crank and start swapping components: supercharger, ic, clutch, lt headers, sway bars, end links, springs, shocks, wheels, etc. And then pay $500 to get it tuned. Then I sell my z51 for $11k. This seems like it would be very labor intensive and the car cost delta is relatively high. Again, I'd want to add some sort of roll protection.
http://www.geocities.ws/cizekma/Z06Vert.html
Without the soft top and left the structual part of the halo in place, I wonder if road noise would be terrible. If I could find the trim parts off a salvaged convertible already painted the same color, it would be low cost.
here is the targa top diy:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-general/3416643-frc-z06-targa-conversion-diy-how-to-3.html
I'm assuming having a body shop splice and paint would be pretty expensive.
3rd option...I can buy an actual convertible...maybe with high mileage and with an automatic trasmission for $12k. Then drop the chassis out the bottom and swap with my z51. Then I could sell the z51 as a high mileage auto for $10k. This sounds daunting without a lift and costly to have someone else do it. Also, I don't like the idea of no roll protection, so I'd have to do something about that.
4th option...I can buy an actual convertible with low miles and a manual transmission for $18k. Pin the crank and start swapping components: supercharger, ic, clutch, lt headers, sway bars, end links, springs, shocks, wheels, etc. And then pay $500 to get it tuned. Then I sell my z51 for $11k. This seems like it would be very labor intensive and the car cost delta is relatively high. Again, I'd want to add some sort of roll protection.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
I have plenty of fun with lots of hp under 80 mph. Acceleration from 0 to 70 is important to me. A stock c5 is significantly slower than my daily driver. I'd rather sell my z51 and not replace it with anything than buy a convertible slower than my daily driver.
I used to autocross, which is why I have suspension upgrades. Two years ago I only made it out to autocross twice and last year not at all...so suspension isn't as important anymore. Also, i run nitto nt05r 315's all the time on the street because I was sick of traction issues and they don't corner well at all. So I wouldn't have to swap the suspension parts....although that would be easy compared to the drivetrain upgrades.
I used to autocross, which is why I have suspension upgrades. Two years ago I only made it out to autocross twice and last year not at all...so suspension isn't as important anymore. Also, i run nitto nt05r 315's all the time on the street because I was sick of traction issues and they don't corner well at all. So I wouldn't have to swap the suspension parts....although that would be easy compared to the drivetrain upgrades.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
That's what I am talking about. A vert with a hard top sounds right up your alley.
I love my targa and the targe + lift back space is why I bought the coupe over the Z06. I gave up the added performance for the enjoyment of air. But I carry a lot of crap, so I have never looked at a vert.
I love my targa and the targe + lift back space is why I bought the coupe over the Z06. I gave up the added performance for the enjoyment of air. But I carry a lot of crap, so I have never looked at a vert.
