I get the worst wind buffiting in my coupe, with the top off and windows up, at like 45 MPH and above. Is this standard for our coupes?

Sometimes it would be nice to have the windows up with the top off.

 

Unfortunately it is normal. Still fun though.

 

Not having the windows all the way up I have found the best for reducing the buffeting, if you want them up at all. About 1 inch from up is what works best for me. I usually just have them down, but sometimes there are situations that it helps to have them up.

 

Ventmasters are what you need. They are simply awesome for eliminating the buffeting with the top off. I did the crack the windows thing, too. It helps, but doesn't make running with your top off any more fun. With Ventmasters you can even run down the freeway with the top off and windows up and STILL hear even the stock stereo.

Order direct from Ventmaster. Cheaper than the catalogs.

 

What is this ventmaster you speak of? I tried the name ventmaster on my search and only came up with various types of kitchen venting systems.

I found what you are speaking of at Ecklers. I did give these sme thought, but I dont know how cool it would look cruising with my hatch craked open a couple of inches. Thanks for the info though!

 

Ventmaster..... ah... I drive a car... not a kitchen... a link would be nice, since a search gives no answer....

 

The whole purpose of having a targa top is so you can ride with the top off, right? Well, look at the design of the car. It's all wrong for a targa top. The windshield is LOWER than the roof. It's no wonder why it buffets. And, we all know that it's not practical to stop and put the top back on when you hit 40 mph.

I thought the same way you are thinking now. So, I went with the Windjammer. That thing sucked AND looked ugly. Made it worse in some respects. So, I called and spoke to the designer of the Ventmasters. He was so cool. He told me I could return them ANY time if I was not satisfied. That kind of confidence in a product is appreciated, even if it is your own product, you know what I mean?

And, it actually looks cool to have the hatch popped slightly. No one has told me my trunk's open, but people have asked if that's an option, like on 911s where the whale tail goes up and down.

Pics: (Link to Ventmaster below pics)









Link:
http://www.ventmaster.net/

 

I was ordeing these from ventmaster.net and at the final stage it said there was an error in my credit card. I call the customer service number provided on the page (long distance btw) and the guy answers with "hello". Sounded like an old guy. I'm like yea, is this ventmaster he's like yeah. So I explain the situation, he says he will look into it and email me back. It has been almost 4 hours and no email. BEWARE! Oh well I'll just deny the payment thru Discovercard if they screw me. I immediately got a bad vibe when the guy answered with "hello" instead of "ventmasters".


Beware! I'm gonna get them from Ecklers instead. $4 more but I have more confidence in them.

 

The old guy is the Ventmaster himself. I spoke to him and he is cool, but older. He's a retired engineer type, so you do the math. Good guy, though. I would not be afraid to to business with him. Oh, that's right, I did, and I'm happy.

 

I looked at these in the catalogs but was worried about the fit and how secure the tail hatch would be with them on. How are these Ventmasters at highway speeds, and are they safe to leave on at a local supermaket or mall parking lot while shopping?

 

I just ordered mine from Ecklers. It looks like you only need one 'ventmaster' ($40) for this to work, which is how Ecklers packages the product.
If you order it directly from Ventmaster themselves, you have to purchase two of them ($75). So it looks like it is actually cheaper to get it through Ecklers.

I'm surprised I don't see more Vette's using these.

 

I, too, had the same concerns, WAY back in in the 90's when I bought my C4, and I never bought because of those worries. But, I was desperate for something for my C5, which buffets WAY more than my C4 did, so I called and spoke to the designer (old guy). He assured me I would be happy, and that he would take them back any time. With nothing to lose, I ordered them from him.

Perfect fit. I've gone 100 mph with them in place, and they're just fine. If I had my choice, they'd be on the car all the time, because they even help with the buffeting you get when the top is on, but the windows are down. But, it rains here sometimes. You'll have no problems leaving them on when you're parked somewhere, too. You won't regret getting them, trust me. And, even if you do, just call the Ventmaster himself. I'm sure he'll take them back.

There is one minor, minor, issue, however. Sometimes when you press the trunk release in the car, the hatch doesn't open. Sometimes you may have to press the button, pull up on the hatch a bit, then press the button again. I think it has to do with the way the stock trunk release mechanism normally allows the hatch to pop-up slightly. But, since the Ventmasters already have the hatch up, sometimes the mechanism doesn't pop the hatch. So, now, I just walk to the back of the car with the key fob, and put the tiniest amount of pressure on the hatch when I press the button. No big deal, and I wouldn't let that inconvenience, if you can even call it that, dissuade me from getting them.

Personally, I think Ventmasters should come with all coupes, because in reality, you really can't drive with the top off without them.

 

No, no, no! Depends on your model car. Some models only have one latch on the trunk, so you only need one Ventmaster. My coupe has two latches, so I need two. If you have a coupe, you need two. Look at the prices per application on Ventmaster's site. Match the year and model of your car up with the application, then use the Ventmaster Model number to correspond that to the pics on the site, and you'll see what I mean. You better call Eckler's back right now, to verify what you're getting before they ship.

http://www.ventmaster.net/generalmot...eralmotors.htm

 

Poopy!!

They were able to change my order. I inadvertently clicked on the C6 link that Eckler's has on their homepage not realizing it was a C6 and not a C5. Henry helped me out. While I had him on the phone I went ahead and got the chrome 'Corvette' lettering for the rear and front bumpers (impulse buy) .

Thanks a ton MrLeadFoot!!

 

These ventmasters are definately the way to go! But I am not sure I like the way the car looks though. I drive with my top off and the windows down 90% of the time. The other 10% is when I would like them up. I know these will improve the wind thing with the windows up and down. My car is white and the opening, which will look black, will stand out like a sore thumb. I appreciate the pics and info..... thanks so much. I still may do it, I'm kinda up in the air on it.