How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (Zoomin)
I believe the Vette was conceived and designed as a convertible, so they should be the same. Maybe some forum experts could shed more light on the subject.
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Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (Zoomin)
All C5 chassis are identical. There is no need for strengthning the chassis like in previous generation convertible corvettes.
C5 was infact designed to be a convertible from inception.
C5 was infact designed to be a convertible from inception.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Waco TX
Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (Dave68)
No, the first C5, in 1997 was a coupe. It only came in a coupe during 1997. The vert came out in 1998 and the hardtop, now Z06, arrived in 1999. They designed the frame, hydroformed steel, to be stiff enough in convertible form, so as not to need any additional strengthening. Hope this helps.
Michael
Michael
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Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (gasman29)
So the coupe was first, meaning that although a stiff chassis (enough so for a vert) was one of the design requirements, the first C5 was not designed solely as a vert.
I just wanted to clear this up. Thanks.
I just wanted to clear this up. Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (gasman29)
Jerry - no, the Z06 is keeping me pretty happy right now. I was involved with a discussion about someone who had seen a C5 conversion. The question was, would it be cheaper to convert a Z06, or convert a convertible.
Now, one obvious difference is that the halo portion of the roll cage has been removed, therefore some stiffness has to be sacrificed in that move. My question is, do they add anything to make up for it?
Think this bar just bolts on?
Now, one obvious difference is that the halo portion of the roll cage has been removed, therefore some stiffness has to be sacrificed in that move. My question is, do they add anything to make up for it?
Think this bar just bolts on?
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Racer
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (kewlbrz)
All C5 chassis are identical. There is no need for strengthning the chassis like in previous generation convertible corvettes.
C5 was infact designed to be a convertible from inception.
C5 was infact designed to be a convertible from inception.
Ted
[Modified by Ted J, 12:48 AM 12/13/2001]
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Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (Dave68)
Dave, your confused. You need to read 'All corvettes are red'. The C5 was specifcally designed to be a convertible. Being a coupe and frc style was ancillary.
And ted, yes the only reason the FRC or Z06 is stiffer, is because of the integrated top.
[Modified by kewlbrz, 11:47 PM 12/12/2001]
And ted, yes the only reason the FRC or Z06 is stiffer, is because of the integrated top.
[Modified by kewlbrz, 11:47 PM 12/12/2001]
Melting Slicks
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From: Wilmington DE
Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (Ted J)
Ted:
The Coupe, Z06 and the '99 and '00 hardtops have a torsionally stiffer chassis than the Vert because of the "bow" or halo portion fo the frame. This "bow" is a welded part of the upper frame and adds twisting resistance to the frame. This is what is ment by a stiffer chassis. All other parts of the frame are identical weather it is a Vert, coupe or Hardtop. Some of us feel that we stiffen the chassis even more by adding a shoulder harness bar to the Hardtop or Coupe. :D
The Coupe, Z06 and the '99 and '00 hardtops have a torsionally stiffer chassis than the Vert because of the "bow" or halo portion fo the frame. This "bow" is a welded part of the upper frame and adds twisting resistance to the frame. This is what is ment by a stiffer chassis. All other parts of the frame are identical weather it is a Vert, coupe or Hardtop. Some of us feel that we stiffen the chassis even more by adding a shoulder harness bar to the Hardtop or Coupe. :D
Burning Brakes
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From: Palm Beach Shores, FL
Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (kewlbrz)
All C5 chassis are identical. There is no need for strengthning the chassis like in previous generation convertible corvettes.
C5 was infact designed to be a convertible from inception.
C5 was infact designed to be a convertible from inception.
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Re: How does a vert chassis differ from a coupe? (oceanaire)
The vert weighs less than the coupe because it simply has a ragtop, and not a huge back glass, and removable top like the coupe.
Its a wash between the weight of the ragtop and FRC. The FRC is optioned out less in many cases, but the light weight of the ragtop over the fixed roof coupe larger back glass and heaver body material in the roof, make them weight virtually identical. Ive seen ragtops weigh less than FRC's on the scales with the same amount of fuel.
And to follow up up on what jim 47 detailed. Thats just a fancy way of saying what I said earlier in the thread. The FRC and Coupe are stiffer simply because of having integrated tops.
Its a wash between the weight of the ragtop and FRC. The FRC is optioned out less in many cases, but the light weight of the ragtop over the fixed roof coupe larger back glass and heaver body material in the roof, make them weight virtually identical. Ive seen ragtops weigh less than FRC's on the scales with the same amount of fuel.
And to follow up up on what jim 47 detailed. Thats just a fancy way of saying what I said earlier in the thread. The FRC and Coupe are stiffer simply because of having integrated tops.