Turbulence
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 12
From: Palmdale CA
Turbulence
I miss the open top motoring of convertibles I've owned in the past. My 2000 coupe has a targa top, but, above 40 mph, it's like sitting in a wind tunnel. At least, in my old C3s, I had the option of removing only the passenger roof panel. Is there any practical way to cheat the wind, and significantly reduce the turbulence in my C5 interior?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I get a lot of turbulence in my pants, especially after a Beer and burrito lunch.. I put a one way valve in my shorts...
Seriously
they use to sell a hatch lift to address this purpose... I did a search and could not find them... the lift would lock the hatch open about 2 inches and vent the air pocket. Not sure how well it worked..
Bill
Seriously
they use to sell a hatch lift to address this purpose... I did a search and could not find them... the lift would lock the hatch open about 2 inches and vent the air pocket. Not sure how well it worked..
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 25,303
Likes: 1,683
From: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
Winner 2020 C7 of the Year - Modified
I had the same issue with my C5 coupe - no fun with top off above 45 mph. However, I took a friend for a quick spin in my C7 while the top was off and ended up showing off a little. I hit 125 before getting stuck in traffic and I didn’t even notice the top was off. So GM has made some improvements, just sayin.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 747
They still sell the hatch hook thing as far as I know, but that's 100% function over form...I don't feel like dealing with a bunch of strangers waving me down telling me my hatch is open and it just doesn't look good. They make a short deflector that mounts along the top of the windshield for C6s that attaches to the targa lever areas. I've been really curious if the C5 and C6 share the the same, or at least similar enough, dimensions to make one of them work....when I get really bored and feel like burning $70, I intend to try one.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 7,375
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Supposedly someone sells a plexiglass wall that can be installed just behind the seats that blocks the air from compressing the hatch area. I don't really want to mess with all that.
The one time I did try driving the car on the freeway with the top removed I ended up wearing ear plugs. Never again.
The one time I did try driving the car on the freeway with the top removed I ended up wearing ear plugs. Never again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 747
Supposedly someone sells a plexiglass wall that can be installed just behind the seats that blocks the air from compressing the hatch area. I don't really want to mess with all that.
The one time I did try driving the car on the freeway with the top removed I ended up wearing ear plugs. Never again.
The one time I did try driving the car on the freeway with the top removed I ended up wearing ear plugs. Never again.
I find turbulence to depend on wind and temp that day. If there's even a breeze, forget about it. But I've driven with the top off some days and it's completely fine. Those days are far and few though.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
I would be a little hesitant about my hatch propped up; it would be my luck to have the hatch lift let loose. 
Hatch off around town or a local event such as the Vettes 4 St Jude's convoy from a meeting place to the hospital is ok. On the highway, no.
Hatch off around town or a local event such as the Vettes 4 St Jude's convoy from a meeting place to the hospital is ok. On the highway, no.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,935
Likes: 24,702
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The hatch lift device apparently worked to help minimize the turbulence. I really didn’t think the buffeting was all that bad but everyone has a different level of tolerance.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Turbulence with the top off is awful to the point of being undriveable with any degree of pleasure - unless you keep below about 40 mph. I've tried windows up, windows down, sunvisors up and sunvisors down. Makes no difference, it's unpleasant at any speed above city traffic speed whatever you do. It also pretty unpleasant just driving with the windows down at speed. Lots of buffeting and I've had stuff on the passenger seat sucked out of the open passenger window.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 747
I think Jack nailed it...some of us don't think it's that bad most of the time and some of us think its absolutely unbearable. Any time you open windows in any car, you're going to get some air flow...I've had stuff sucked out of the window on every car I've owned 