Converting C6 into a FRC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Converting C6 into a FRC
Just putting a feeler out there to see if anyone has converted their C6 targa into a fixed roof, or how difficult it may be.
Any stories or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Any stories or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
Good luck. I've put out a few similar threads in the past... apparently, you and I are some of the very very few C6 owners ever to want a fixed roof.
The trick is not fixing the roof in place -- the roof is attached with simple brackets that could be welded... the trick is doing it in such a way that is reversible if the time would ever come to sell it and you would want to return the car to stock.
The factory C6Z06 roof brackets are welded to the halo portion of the frame hoop, and are not readily adaptable to the standard C6 halo frame hoop (at least not in a 'reversible' way described above).
I toyed with the idea of fabbing up some bolt-on "fixed-position" brackets to replace the factory 'removeable' brackets, but haven't felt particularly motivated lately... lol
Cheers,
Kent
The trick is not fixing the roof in place -- the roof is attached with simple brackets that could be welded... the trick is doing it in such a way that is reversible if the time would ever come to sell it and you would want to return the car to stock.
The factory C6Z06 roof brackets are welded to the halo portion of the frame hoop, and are not readily adaptable to the standard C6 halo frame hoop (at least not in a 'reversible' way described above).
I toyed with the idea of fabbing up some bolt-on "fixed-position" brackets to replace the factory 'removeable' brackets, but haven't felt particularly motivated lately... lol
Cheers,
Kent
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I understand what you want to do, but I thought that when you had the roof in place, it acted as if you had a fixed roof. The Z06 has a lighter frame that requires the fixed roof. In fact most Z06 race cars use the regular Corvette frame because it is steel and more robust.
I upgraded the tunnel plate and the car appears to be very rigid when I jack it up. I rarely take the top off.
I upgraded the tunnel plate and the car appears to be very rigid when I jack it up. I rarely take the top off.
Last edited by timd38; Dec 24, 2008 at 10:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Good luck. I've put out a few similar threads in the past... apparently, you and I are some of the very very few C6 owners ever to want a fixed roof.
The trick is not fixing the roof in place -- the roof is attached with simple brackets that could be welded... the trick is doing it in such a way that is reversible if the time would ever come to sell it and you would want to return the car to stock.
The factory C6Z06 roof brackets are welded to the halo portion of the frame hoop, and are not readily adaptable to the standard C6 halo frame hoop (at least not in a 'reversible' way described above).
I toyed with the idea of fabbing up some bolt-on "fixed-position" brackets to replace the factory 'removeable' brackets, but haven't felt particularly motivated lately... lol
Cheers,
Kent
The trick is not fixing the roof in place -- the roof is attached with simple brackets that could be welded... the trick is doing it in such a way that is reversible if the time would ever come to sell it and you would want to return the car to stock.
The factory C6Z06 roof brackets are welded to the halo portion of the frame hoop, and are not readily adaptable to the standard C6 halo frame hoop (at least not in a 'reversible' way described above).
I toyed with the idea of fabbing up some bolt-on "fixed-position" brackets to replace the factory 'removeable' brackets, but haven't felt particularly motivated lately... lol
Cheers,
Kent
I would be very interested in this mod...I'm 100% sure I would never want to reverse the mod. I'm actually looking to completely shave the weather stripping from outside. I'm just not a fan of targa/convertibles, and wouldn't mind having a nice headliner with a map light in the place of the rear latch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 14
That would look great, I love the clean FRC look. The easiest way would be for a vendor to simply make a different hatch with a much smaller glass, near the form of the FRC. But yes, it would still function like the hatch, just much smaller glass and it would save a few pounds too. Otherwise, It would be much more work. Good luck though, It would look awesome!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
I understand what you want to do, but I thought that when you had the roof in place, it acted as if you had a fixed roof. The Z06 has a lighter frame that requires the fixed roof. In fact most Z06 race cars use the regular Corvette frame because it is steel and more robust.
I upgraded the tunnel plate and get the car appears to be very rigid when I jack it up. I rarely take the top off.
I upgraded the tunnel plate and get the car appears to be very rigid when I jack it up. I rarely take the top off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 14
Im not a Photoshop wiz, actually this is like the 3rd time I used it but here is a pic I did in about 5-6 minutes to test the image. The first pic I found was a C6Z.
I would do it for sure. It looks great, though It would affect the Cd and it would suffer a bit, just like the C5Z.
I would do it for sure. It looks great, though It would affect the Cd and it would suffer a bit, just like the C5Z.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Im not a Photoshop wiz, actually this is like the 3rd time I used it but here is a pic I did in about 5-6 minutes to test the image. The first pic I found was a C6Z.
I would do it for sure. It looks great, though It would affect the Cd and it would suffer a bit, just like the C5Z.
I would do it for sure. It looks great, though It would affect the Cd and it would suffer a bit, just like the C5Z.
Check out this site: http://www.corvettesouth.com/corvett...le-985025.html
This is a hard top for the convertible. The closest "look" of the C5 FRCs.
However, I'm not looking for the short window. Just the smooth look of a solid roof.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 357
Likes: 1
From: Sterling VA
There was a picture put out a few years ago where someone did a professional photochop of a C6 turned into an FRC style. It looked like pure SEX. I personally also prefer the FRC look, but apparently it is less aerodynamic than the coupe, which lends itself to better handling characteristics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
You wouldn't want to use a Z06 halo, unless you can weld magnesium to steel. So, using the stock steel halo, you might be able to get away with welding brackets on it and bolting the front down. In the rear though, I wouldn't think that just bolting it in would be sufficient enough to remove all flex. You would probably have to weld brackets at both ends and at several locations across the back. That would mean removing almost the entire interior to protect it from welding splatter.
Once you welded it in, you could have an upholstery shop fab up a headliner.
Last edited by 'VETTE PHASE; Dec 23, 2008 at 05:41 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If it has a steel frame it isn't a Z06. I am not sure what you mean by most Z06 cars use a stell frame, sounds like a lot of work to take everything off the Al frame and transfer it over to a steel frame or do you meant start with a base C6 and add a whole bunch of other stuff including the 7.0 l engine?
Last edited by timd38; Dec 23, 2008 at 06:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
Real simple, they aren't Z06's. They are C6.R's, they were developed for racing at the same time the C6 was in development. The Z06 followed and incorporated some of the technology that was used for the C6.R. The aluminum frame had not been developed yet so it wasn't available for the C6.R, I am not saying it would have been used for the C6.R, but it wasn't available.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 906
Likes: 2
From: The Woodlands TX
I would love to have my C6 be a fixed roof. If someone can figure it out so the top is sturdy and smooth (I hate the rubber seal) I would definitely be on board. Keep me posted please if anyone comes up with something. I never take my top off.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
The only real problem I see, would be filling in the gap and keeping it from cracking.
You wouldn't want to use a Z06 halo, unless you can weld magnesium to steel. So, using the stock steel halo, you might be able to get away with welding brackets on it and bolting the front down. In the rear though, I wouldn't think that just bolting it in would be sufficient enough to remove all flex. You would probably have to weld brackets at both ends and at several locations across the back. That would mean removing almost the entire interior to protect it from welding splatter.
Once you welded it in, you could have an upholstery shop fab up a headliner.
You wouldn't want to use a Z06 halo, unless you can weld magnesium to steel. So, using the stock steel halo, you might be able to get away with welding brackets on it and bolting the front down. In the rear though, I wouldn't think that just bolting it in would be sufficient enough to remove all flex. You would probably have to weld brackets at both ends and at several locations across the back. That would mean removing almost the entire interior to protect it from welding splatter.
Once you welded it in, you could have an upholstery shop fab up a headliner.
That was the type of picture for which I was looking.
. I, also, see that you are located in Plano, TX. Do you ever go to any gtg's?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
with the tunnel plate good mod! I understand what you want to do, but I thought that when you had the roof in place, it acted as if you had a fixed roof. The Z06 has a lighter frame that requires the fixed roof. In fact most Z06 race cars use the regular Corvette frame because it is steel and more robust.
I upgraded the tunnel plate and get the car appears to be very rigid when I jack it up. I rarely take the top off.
I upgraded the tunnel plate and get the car appears to be very rigid when I jack it up. I rarely take the top off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 906
Likes: 2
From: The Woodlands TX
Thank you for the input. That was the type of picture for which I was looking.
I'm glad I'm not the only one with this opinion. I had mentioned this to a couple of friends and they thought I was. I, also, see that you are located in Plano, TX. Do you ever go to any gtg's?
That was the type of picture for which I was looking.I'm glad I'm not the only one with this opinion. I had mentioned this to a couple of friends and they thought I was
. I, also, see that you are located in Plano, TX. Do you ever go to any gtg's?Thanks
Mike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas