When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was wondering if there is a mod available for the coupe, that changes the tailgate/engine cover to look more like the convertible? The glass is nice, but I like the convertibles engine cover more, but dont want the convertible itself .
So as I wait in the long line to get my order accepted and built by GM, I have been looking over some mods available. I couldn't really find anything for the tailgate/trunk/engine cover area that would do this and couldn't find anything on this forum for it either.
I was wondering if there is a mod available for the coupe, that changes the tailgate/engine cover to look more like the convertible? The glass is nice, but I like the convertibles engine cover more, but dont want the convertible itself .
So as I wait in the long line to get my order accepted and built by GM, I have been looking over some mods available. I couldn't really find anything for the tailgate/trunk/engine cover area that would do this and couldn't find anything on this forum for it either.
Thanks for the help/advice.
I haven’t seen one yet. If you prefer the look of HTC hatch/window, probably cheaper to pay for a HTC and simply not use the feature.
If you are talking about making the coupe's top look like an HTC with the "Carbon Flash-painted nacelles and roof" option, there are several posts that show wraps in the cool wraps thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-thus-far.html
Like the previous poster said, you aren't required to put an HTC's top down. I've known people who never removed the hardtops back in day when Mercedes SL's had removeable ones. I went over a year without removing the hardtop from a Mercedes SL due to not having a place to store it when it was off.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Will not say the aftermarket won't come up with something like what you are describing, but have to wonder how many owners would pony up the cost for the new cover.
I suspect the HTC engine cover can be gotten from GM and bolted on to the coupe engine. It looks quite bad, though so why would you do that? I haven't heard anyone call the trunk a tailgate.
I posted some pictures of what I was referring to, but still waiting on them to get approved or something, so I'll do it again. Maybe it will go faster.
AZDave47: I'm a truck driver, so I call the trunk areas tailgates alot . Forgive my ignorance.
Are you referring to the actual engine cover, or the entire rear section? I had the upper portion of mine wrapped in gloss black to give it the convertible/cockpit look - is this what you're looking to do? I can't imagine you'd want to swap the coupe's exposed engine cover for the matte black plastic cover from the HTC.
Are you referring to the actual engine cover, or the entire rear section? I had the upper portion of mine wrapped in gloss black to give it the convertible/cockpit look - is this what you're looking to do? I can't imagine you'd want to swap the coupe's exposed engine cover for the matte black plastic cover from the HTC.
My main thing is that I dont like the vents on the side of the glass. Where the convertible has the vents kinda in the middle session in a row. I like that look more, but as mentioned, I do not want to go with the convertible trim itself.
Maybe I am just dreaming and should be happy with what I get .
Maybe I am just dreaming and should be happy with what I get .
I think that' your best option.
To actually use the convertible parts would probably require replacing the entire rear bodywork. Fenders, hatch, trunk lid,and maybe the roof, and fabricating some custom bodywork to meld the HTC parts to the coupe. And making custom bodywork to mimic that look would probably prohibitively expensive given that sales would be low volume.
My main thing is that I dont like the vents on the side of the glass. Where the convertible has the vents kinda in the middle session in a row. I like that look more, but as mentioned, I do not want to go with the convertible trim itself.
Maybe I am just dreaming and should be happy with what I get .
Well, anything is possible if you throw enough money at it, lol. As someone mentioned, it would require extensive fabricating and a redesign of the rear and would cost more than it's (probably) worth. I'd either get the HTC and have the luxury of top down whenever you'd like, or get the coupe and get it wrapped in a way that fits the look you're going for, if need be.
To actually use the convertible parts would probably require replacing the entire rear bodywork. Fenders, hatch, trunk lid,and maybe the roof, and fabricating some custom bodywork to meld the HTC parts to the coupe. And making custom bodywork to mimic that look would probably prohibitively expensive given that sales would be low volume.
Ya, thats what I was worried about. Oh well, maybe someone in the future will do it and I'll purchase. Until then, I'll just be happy with the current rear.
Do you know if there is a mod for the Coupe glass area that kinda does a slant/cover over the vents, so it doesnt get water directly in? Where they are somewhat protected?
Yes, I know the Vette is designed for water to get in that area. But in my experience with metal parts, it would be that the less water that gets on them, the better/longer they last.
Ya, thats what I was worried about. Oh well, maybe someone in the future will do it and I'll purchase. Until then, I'll just be happy with the current rear.
Do you know if there is a mod for the Coupe glass area that kinda does a slant/cover over the vents, so it doesnt get water directly in? Where they are somewhat protected?
Yes, I know the Vette is designed for water to get in that area. But in my experience with metal parts, it would be that the less water that gets on them, the better/longer they last.
I'm not sure if that's a good idea. My understanding of the vents is that they allow the engine to dissipate heat through them, though I'm sure others on the forum are more knowledgeable about it than I am and can expound on their functionality.
Last edited by DevilDog82; Dec 22, 2021 at 08:40 PM.
I suspect the HTC engine cover can be gotten from GM and bolted on to the coupe engine. It looks quite bad, though so why would you do that? I haven't heard anyone call the trunk a tailgate.
Pretty sure what he is asking for is a replacement rear HATCH that deletes the window in the middle and has a valley there instead.
I don't see why it wouldn't be possible to create something.
Take off the stock coupe rear hatch cover, measure all the hardware mounting locations and exterior dimensions carefully. (this can actually be done by spinning the part on it's end and using a 3D laser / lidar scanner).
Bring the model into solidworks and adjust for the shape you want. Split it into an outer and inner shell.
Use a CNC to cut the shape out of some high density foam or wood and make a mold to use for a carbon fiber / resin layup.
The stock hatch is made from two pieces that are trimmed and then epoxy is used to bond them together (good video on the BGA plant showing the hatch being assembled and painted, mostly a MANUAL process). You could do the same and probably just need to include some foam blocks in a couple places to eliminate resonances/vibrations in the two halves.
Pretty sure what he is asking for is a replacement rear HATCH that deletes the window in the middle and has a valley there instead.
I don't see why it wouldn't be possible to create something.
Take off the stock coupe rear hatch cover, measure all the hardware mounting locations and exterior dimensions carefully. (this can actually be done by spinning the part on it's end and using a 3D laser / lidar scanner).
Bring the model into solidworks and adjust for the shape you want. Split it into an outer and inner shell.
Use a CNC to cut the shape out of some high density foam or wood and make a mold to use for a carbon fiber / resin layup.
The stock hatch is made from two pieces that are trimmed and then epoxy is used to bond them together (good video on the BGA plant showing the hatch being assembled and painted, mostly a MANUAL process). You could do the same and probably just need to include some foam blocks in a couple places to eliminate resonances/vibrations in the two halves.
Cool. Thanks man. I have a friend over in Florida that owns a Corvette mod business. I'm going to talk to him about getting something molded. He might be interested..
Pretty sure what he is asking for is a replacement rear HATCH that deletes the window in the middle and has a valley there instead.
I don't see why it wouldn't be possible to create something.
Take off the stock coupe rear hatch cover, measure all the hardware mounting locations and exterior dimensions carefully. (this can actually be done by spinning the part on it's end and using a 3D laser / lidar scanner).
Bring the model into solidworks and adjust for the shape you want. Split it into an outer and inner shell.
Use a CNC to cut the shape out of some high density foam or wood and make a mold to use for a carbon fiber / resin layup.
The stock hatch is made from two pieces that are trimmed and then epoxy is used to bond them together (good video on the BGA plant showing the hatch being assembled and painted, mostly a MANUAL process). You could do the same and probably just need to include some foam blocks in a couple places to eliminate resonances/vibrations in the two halves.
That is along the lines of what I was thinking. Would the cover hinges and the pneumatic tubes need to be re-located (under the "Nacelles" that would come with the new cover? Also, in the HTC, the engine is covered, but there is an opening toward the rear that feeds air through the vent, and a gasket, to control the flow of air, coming out, and water coming in. If the new cover had the vent in the same place, there might need to be something done to create the proper airflow (like another cover over the engine), and water control.
Last edited by Andybump; Dec 22, 2021 at 07:19 PM.
Reason: add photos
That is along the lines of what I was thinking. Would the cover hinges and the pneumatic tubes need to be re-located (under the "Nacelles" that would come with the new cover? Also, in the HTC, the engine is covered, but there is an opening toward the rear that feeds air through the vent, and a gasket, to control the flow of air, coming out, and water coming in. If the new cover had the vent in the same place, there might need to be something done to create the proper airflow (like another cover over the engine), and water control.
Yeah, there are a myriad of problems. Heat being one, another being what to do with the rear view camera? Can you somehow incorporate it into the design without having a weird thing hanging out in the middle? You would also need to have the hinge area have enough structural integrity for the mount, so might need to make that area solid or with extra support.
It definitely wouldn't match the HTC. There are lines on the roof that are changed to flow with the nacelles and on the coupe those lines in the roof are going towards the center of the hatch, vs the sides, so you would need to carry those over to the nacelle rather rapidly.
Really amazing what you can do in solidworks these days, but you could probably even do the modelling in BLENDER if you wanted to. Might be able to get something that looks similar anyway.
As others have indicated, it would be costly. All the engineering work you do get's amortized over QTY 1 product delivered.
I’m on the team that said just get the convertible and not use it. Although once you get it, you WILL use it, and you’ll be thrilled that you got it, I bet.
one of the few reasons to favor coupe over hardtop aside from price is to see the engine, so if you don’t care about that, I’d say 100% just get the convertible.
Is this possible?
.
