I would love to see some pics of 4th gen's with Targa Tops

...you know, like a removable hard top, kind like the vettes!
Have any of you guys seen one or have pics of one?
I would love to have t-tops, but since mine is a coupe, the only change I would make, is to be able to remove the whole top whenever I want.
Possible?

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TONEZ28 - 97 Black A4 z28 : 270rwhp / 290rwtq
Appearance : 01' z28 Chrome 5 Spokes- All GTS Blackouts-Billet Grill-
Orange Reflective z28 & Bowtie Overlays and Camaro Fill-in
Mods : K&N FIPK-Flowmaster-TB Bypass-Airfoil-
160 stat-Cutout-!MAF Screen-BFG DR's (track use only)
Best E.T. : 13.64 @101.50 w/ 2.04 60'
w/ Drag Radials : 13.56@100.80 w/ 1.97 60'

Never heard or seen one, there has been talk of it though.

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93 T/A (http://transam672.tripod.com/)
"The Only 2 things in life that make it worth living, guitars tuned good and firm feeling women" Waylon Jennings

dont know if it is possible.

if im thinking correctly the only brace for the top of f-bodies is in between the t-tops.

and if you dont have that your car has no structure stability

dont really know for sure, but though of doing the targa at one time and was told this by a GM dealer

I want to do the same thing but I am thinking that you should be able to brace the same as a convertible right. Might be expensive but it couold be done i think what do you guys think

It can be done, the convertible obviously dont have the brace. It would be a lot of custom work. Maybe I can let one of my friends with a Vette that has that roof option let me borrow their pannel so I can take some measurments.

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93 T/A (http://transam672.tripod.com/)
"The Only 2 things in life that make it worth living, guitars tuned good and firm feeling women" Waylon Jennings

I've actually seen an ad in the back of a Car Craft (or something similar) mag from this shop in Cali that does Targa conversions. That's about all I know . . .

Here are a few concept photos I had done, entertaining this idea...

http://www.mnfbody.com/memberpages/pu12en12g/targaconcept.jpg

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~ Black 95 Z A4 Convert~
P t ' s w e b p a g e (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~boatm005/)
Custom PCM, ASR PCM mod, 1st gear mod, short shifter, 3" CUTOUT, TB Bypass, ported/polished MAF, Vortech/K&N CAI, LT4KM, JET IAT, BMR STB, BMR SB, BMR SFC's, TPIS Fuel Pump (SS HOOD, Ground-Control/Eibach ERS, 160 stat, Ignition Booster waiting to be installed !)

THAT IS FAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------

1996Z28 A4It changes colors?,69 Z28 Badges,3:23's,K&N FIPK, cutout,Moroso Blue Max wires,NGK TR-55s, LT4KM,HotchkisSTB,1LE Elbow,Clear turns, 17X9.5 LG Worldchallenge wheels,3:23Perf. rear end,RWHP:265/RWTQ:294 1/4mile:13.6mph: 103

If i had money, I would get that in a heart beat. toyata Supra targa top what?

Camaro Targa top. How about a targa top with t-tops? eh?



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93 Patriot Red Z28 - A4, 3.23 Gears
*Mods*: Hooker Super Competition Catback, Holley 58MM Throttle Body, Holley Powershot Filter, 160* Thermostat, A. Anderson Programming Chip

Audio: JVC KDSH77 HU, Infiniti Kappa 6.5"
Max's Patriot Red 93 Z (http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/maka16/lst?&.dir=/93+Z28&.src=bc&.view=t&.begin=1&.order=&.done=http%3a//briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/maka16/lst%3f%26.dir=/93%2bZ28%26.src=bc%26.view=t)

The first one to successfully complete this conversion, will have sponsors and magazines knockin at the door...

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~ Black 95 Z A4 Convert~
P t ' s w e b p a g e (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~boatm005/)
Custom PCM, ASR PCM mod, 1st gear mod, short shifter, 3" CUTOUT, TB Bypass, ported/polished MAF, Vortech/K&N CAI, LT4KM, JET IAT, BMR STB, BMR SB, BMR SFC's, TPIS Fuel Pump (SS HOOD, Ground-Control/Eibach ERS, 160 stat, Ignition Booster waiting to be installed !)

ok whos the first to sacrifice their Z for this. I think it would be easier to somehow keep the tops attached to the center piece (as one whole unit) and cut it out. Then you would have one solid piece and still have a way to attach it securly useing the existing tops bracketry. You would just have to smooth out the cuts and line it with weather stripping.

Ok whos first??????????

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'94 Z28 M6
Hedman Headers, Borla Cat-back, Power Programmer, 373 gears

PICS
http://community.webshots.com/user/naaz90

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by naaz90:
ok whos the first to sacrifice their Z for this.</font>

I had T-tops on my previous Z, and thought about it, being a fan of the C4, C5, and CERV III (concept car) and their targa tops. It certainly has a 'cool' factor.

But I had a reality check.
- cost of mods
- reduction in resale value
- relatively small opening
- little gain in open area over the t-tops
- buffeting at highway speeds
- where will you put this panel when it's off?
- hassle to remove/install by one person
- hassle to remove/install compared to power top of convertible.

So the last point led me to just buy a convertible. Makes the openings in my t-top car seem kinda small in comparison.

Now then - if you started with a convertible, and grafted a hard top to it, done in two pieces so as to give you a targa option, that would be interesting.

The convertible, being a factory built topless car, is simply braced better than you'd get trying to fix up the coupe (6 or 8 point cages notwithstanding).

DaveH

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'00 Z28 Conv M6 Pewter, LoudMouth, OEM SS Hood, Home-made short shifter handle (http://www.geocities.com/acarnut99/short_shifter.htm), Corbeau Targa RS seats, Lowered ~2.5", SFCs, 1LE LCA and PHR bushings (http://www.geocities.com/acarnut99/bushings.htm), some wobbly Z06 wheels (http://www.geocities.com/acarnut99/pwosucks.htm) (18x10.5"), my Home page (http://www.geocities.com/acarnut99/), more pics (http://member.newsguy.com/~acarnut) that don't fit on my home page.

RK sport has a sport back. They say it's developed to create a targa top feeling. Hope this helps.

I thought of this also, but it wouldn't be as difficult I think as some of make it out to be. If you took a regular hard top roof, you could probably cut it and graft the ends onto the t-top braces. You would need to reinforce the roof, running maybe a flat steel strip epoxied from one latch to the other in the front and back, because when you lifted it it would flex otherwise. You would also need to make a secure latch for the center of the top, because it would probably lift at high speed. The T-tops secure under that center strip. I would be willing to gunie pig my SS for this , since I already have a hardtop to drive around. The cool thing is you could probably make the roof to work before you ever even had to cut out the center roof support. So technically you don't have to chop the car up to do it. Once it worked you could cut the divider, design the center latch, and weather trip it. Done. If anyone in Orlando is interested, I am going to go get a roof and t-tops off a wrecker this week, and give it a go. BTW, if I cut the divider I would need some super tight double diamond subframes, who makes the strongest?

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[URL=http://www.geocities.com/jpw32811/znred.html [/URL]

2002 NBM SS
13.3@108&lt;-- 1st and only pass ever in M6
94 Z28 Mid 12's with some traction

Gun control is hitting what you aim at

[This message has been edited by MadKilla (edited May 22, 2002).]

Yeah I wouldn't even consider going from T-Tops to Targa... no point.. but HARDTOP to TARGA... now THAT would be BADASS

------------------
~ Black 95 Z A4 Convert~
P t ' s w e b p a g e (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~boatm005/)
Custom PCM, ASR PCM mod, 1st gear mod, short shifter, 3" CUTOUT, TB Bypass, ported/polished MAF, Vortech/K&N CAI, LT4KM, JET IAT, BMR STB, BMR SB, BMR SFC's, TPIS Fuel Pump (SS HOOD, Ground-Control/Eibach ERS, 160 stat, Ignition Booster waiting to be installed !)

maybe you can turn a convertable into a targa top since they have the added frame support already.. but then again, that would be kinda pointless. N/M

------------------
My 2 Babies:
94 black Z28-5.7 k&n cold air induction, performance MAF,air foil & flowmaster exhast. new pics w/ SS hood & spoiler
94 Z28 pics (http://community.webshots.com/user/reznorz28)
86 laser red IrocZ - k&n air filters,full msd setup, flowmasters, modifed MAS & air foil,92 hood, Ground Effects & spoiler
86 Z28 (http://www.boomspeed.com/logan/MVC-194F.JPG)

this whole thing is ponitless and stupid, you idiots are going to do all this work just to open up an extra 8" between the t-tops, plus even if you did have a top like this you would have no place to store it unlike t-tops.

you guys are unbelieveable.

Streetshark...
All these guys more creative than you MUST live pointless and stupid lives. http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif hmmmmm

------------------
~ Black 95 Z A4 Convert~
P t ' s w e b p a g e (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~boatm005/)
Custom PCM, ASR PCM mod, 1st gear mod, short shifter, 3" CUTOUT, TB Bypass, ported/polished MAF, Vortech/K&N CAI, LT4KM, JET IAT, BMR STB, BMR SB, BMR SFC's, TPIS Fuel Pump (SS HOOD, Ground-Control/Eibach ERS, 160 stat, Ignition Booster waiting to be installed !)

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by StreetSharkZ'02:
this whole thing is ponitless and stupid, you idiots are going to do all this work just to open up an extra 8" between the t-tops, plus even if you did have a top like this you would have no place to store it unlike t-tops.

you guys are unbelieveable. </font>

settle down man, its just another appearance mod, like shaving the anttena, or the shaving off the gas cap... its just another way to detail your car in a way no one else has. And people arent trying to figure out how to remove the T-Bar from ttoped cars, they are looking how you can make a targa top from a hardtop, wouldnt it be awesome, to have a hardtop targa?! I think it would, but I guess Im just pointless and stupid http://web.camaross.com/bb/rolleyes.gif

------------------
My 2 Babies:
94 black Z28-5.7 k&n cold air induction, performance MAF,air foil & flowmaster exhast. new pics w/ SS hood & spoiler
94 Z28 pics (http://community.webshots.com/user/reznorz28)
86 laser red IrocZ - k&n air filters,full msd setup, flowmasters, modifed MAS & air foil,92 hood, Ground Effects & spoiler
86 Z28 (http://www.boomspeed.com/logan/MVC-194F.JPG)

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by naaz90:
ok whos the first to sacrifice their Z for this.

</font>

No love for the other f-body?!

------------------
~Joe~
My WebPage (http://www.geocities.com/twocents29)
My 1995 T/A (http://jmauro.dns2go.com/Joe/launching.jpg)

AIM twocents29

Mods include: Ram Air Hood and Airbox - K&N Filter - Descreened MAF - !TB - Airfoil - MAC Headers and y-pipe - Gutted Cat - Flowmaster Exhaust - PCMFORLESS custom programming with in-car laptop - 160 Powerstat - 3.73 gears and MAC rearend girdle - LT4 KM - Aluminum Driveshaft - Tranny Cooler - MSD Blaster Coil - Accel 9000 Race Wire - Bosch Platinum Plugs - !EGR - Remote Cooling Fan Switch - Flowtech Cutout

Best E.T. 12.964 @ 108.55 before programming and other stuff. :)
ALL BOLT-ONS!

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by StreetSharkZ'02:
this whole thing is ponitless and stupid, you idiots are going to do all this work just to open up an extra 8" between the t-tops, plus even if you did have a top like this you would have no place to store it unlike t-tops.

you guys are unbelieveable. </font>

LOL! Its called customizing, look it up. Regular doors work fine, so why do "idiots" put suicide doors on their rod, custom wheels, paint, sheetmetal, motors. You can keep your car looking like every other out there, while I am tryin to look unique, and get my second magazine cover with my second car.

The roof would weigh the same or less than t-tops, as the thin plastic roof weighs far less than the glass of the t's. I know because I held one cut out of a car for a t-top conversion. When you have subs in the trunk, where do you put the t's, in the back seat, same place you would stow a Targa top.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by pu12en12g:
Here are a few concept photos I had done, entertaining this idea...

http://www.mnfbody.com/memberpages/pu12en12g/targaconcept.jpg

</font>

Am I the only one that has noticed that the picture is a Photoshopped version of CrkHedMat's car??

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--David--
1995 white Firebird 3.4 V6 A4 w/ T-tops
Mods:Kenwood KDC516S stereo, front and rear Alpine speakers, Flowmaster 80 series, Firebat (http://www.firebatscave.com) and Autografics (http://www.caprok.net/gtachuck/pages/4thbirds.htm) decals, Moroso CAI, Rally Foglights, Painted interior (Silver Metallic), BMR STB, Zaino, !speed, !horsepower Help CT get a dragstrip! (http://www.petitiononline.com/JayHass/petition.html)

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TheV6Bird:
Am I the only one that has noticed that the picture is a Photoshopped version of CrkHedMat's car??

</font>

Nah, I noticed that too. You are not alone. http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

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1994 Quasar-Blue Trans am GT
Borla cat back, 3:73's, Moroso CAI, 1LE bellows, 160* Stat SLP Ram air hood, LT4 KM, Chrome Firehawk Rims, BFG DR's, Level Ten Trans, 2600 LevelTen Converter, Hotchkis STB, Edelbrock PHR
E.T. 13.585@99.06 1.85 60'

They say a devil builds in my soul. I promise not to let him take control
-Sevendust

Yeah,
His car is the Sh!t ! ! ! Too bad about his problems with Mecham though...

------------------
~ Black 95 Z A4 Convert~
P t ' s w e b p a g e (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~boatm005/)
Custom PCM, ASR PCM mod, 1st gear mod, short shifter, 3" CUTOUT, TB Bypass, ported/polished MAF, Vortech/K&N CAI, LT4KM, JET IAT, BMR STB, BMR SB, BMR SFC's, TPIS Fuel Pump (SS HOOD, Ground-Control/Eibach ERS, 160 stat, Ignition Booster waiting to be installed !)

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ReznorZ28:
settle down man, its just another appearance mod, like shaving the anttena, or the shaving off the gas cap... its just another way to detail your car in a way no one else has. And people arent trying to figure out how to remove the T-Bar from ttoped cars, they are looking how you can make a targa top from a hardtop, wouldnt it be awesome, to have a hardtop targa?! I think it would, but I guess Im just pointless and stupid http://web.camaross.com/bb/rolleyes.gif

</font>

yeah, actually anyone who would want to spend money and time on this is also, why don't you explain to me why this would be cool again, will it be cool when your windshield shears in half because your cars frame flexs too much??

Streetshark:
Newsflash, your car flexes every day you drive it. My convertible used to flex alot til I put on SFC's... but how much strength do u think is in that thin lil metal roof man. http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif Please don't be ignorant. http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

It's already been established that the F-Body unibody frame needs as much help as it can get. No ones gonna chop the top and leave it at that. It will require some strengthening of the frame. Big deal.. sounds like fun ! !

Any problems with wind should be no different than with T-Tops. The ultimate would be a Targa top, and a pop-off back window, a roadster type effect. I thought about that too... the only thing stopping me was cashflow.

------------------
~ Black 95 Z A4 Convert~
P t ' s w e b p a g e (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~boatm005/)
Custom PCM, ASR PCM mod, 1st gear mod, short shifter, 3" CUTOUT, TB Bypass, ported/polished MAF, Vortech/K&N CAI, LT4KM, JET IAT, BMR STB, BMR SB, BMR SFC's, TPIS Fuel Pump (SS HOOD, Ground-Control/Eibach ERS, 160 stat, Ignition Booster waiting to be installed !)

[This message has been edited by pu12en12g (edited May 23, 2002).]

I look at it this way streetsmuck i make the payments on my car so I think I can very well do what I want with it. Also I can ask what others think. If you don't have any constructive advice then don't open your mouth simple as that.

By the way, you can still install a sweet roll-cage in a Targa-Top car, which could potentially help some w/ strength issues...

------------------
~ Black 95 Z A4 Convert~
P t ' s w e b p a g e (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~boatm005/)
Custom PCM, ASR PCM mod, 1st gear mod, short shifter, 3" CUTOUT, TB Bypass, ported/polished MAF, Vortech/K&N CAI, LT4KM, JET IAT, BMR STB, BMR SB, BMR SFC's, TPIS Fuel Pump (SS HOOD, Ground-Control/Eibach ERS, 160 stat, Ignition Booster waiting to be installed !)

JP-

Funny you should join this thread. I wasn't going to say anything until it's done, but I started the targa project last weekend. I took a mold off of a hardtop Z at LB's junkyard (he didn't even charge me). I'm going to make the roof from .155 carbon fiber. I smashed the glass from the T-tops, I will impregnate studs into the carbon roof panel so it bolts to the T top side pieces.

That's the easy part. The hard part will be forming sheetmetal in place of the hacked T-Bar so that a 1 piece weatherstrip can be pressed on... looking factory. Then the 2 headliner pieces will have to be reformed to eliminate the hump in them, and recovered.

Give me a call,If you're free this weekend you can come over and see what a mess my car is.

------------------
Chris
67 Camaro SpeedPro EFI single T70BB turbo Tremec TKO
99 Z28 M6
House of Kolor "Hot Pink Pearl" Lunati cam, Macs, duals,NOS...20+22" Boyds and Pirelli P-Zeros on the way!!

No sh!t!! haha, thats funny. I'll definately stop by, email me your phone number, I won't have my cell phone till next week, it has your number programmed in.

Man... I was just out in the garage working on it. You wouldn't believe the hellacious glue the glass is held to the T top side with. It took me over an hour to get it separated..

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by StreetSharkZ'02:
yeah, actually anyone who would want to spend money and time on this is also, why don't you explain to me why this would be cool again, will it be cool when your windshield shears in half because your cars frame flexs too much??

</font>
what point are you trying to get across? Do you think that you know something that the rest of us dont? All I hear from you is smartass remarks.
I guess you cant explain this to some people... we think it would be cool if you could make a camaro targa topped... if you read some of the messages on this thread you would see that people know that the cars frame isnt meant to support targa tops, but people are trying to figure out how it could be done and how the frame can be improved upon so it wouldnt fold in half. If your not part of the solution, then your part of the problem, and if you dont have anything relevent to say, then stay outta here

------------------
My 2 Babies:
94 black Z28-5.7 k&n cold air induction, performance MAF,air foil & flowmaster exhast. new pics w/ SS hood & spoiler
94 Z28 pics (http://community.webshots.com/user/reznorz28)
86 laser red IrocZ - k&n air filters,full msd setup, flowmasters, modifed MAS & air foil,92 hood, Ground Effects & spoiler
86 Z28 (http://www.boomspeed.com/logan/MVC-194F.JPG)

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RamAir95TA:
No love for the other f-body?!

</font>

Got plenty of love for other f-bodies, it was just a joke. I would never make anyone cut up there Z just to see what it would look like.

Ok i'll do it, wheres my ax, and dremel.


------------------
'94 Z28 M6
Hedman Headers, Borla Cat-back, Power Programmer, 373 gears

PICS
http://community.webshots.com/user/naaz90

Well, first I would like to say I forgot thjat I posted this thread. I wish I was here earlier so I could have told Shark that he is a moron while the subject was still *warm* http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif
But back to the top, I would love to see the project after you finish Whistler
If I had the cash, I would have it done at a shop! I am sure you can get it done without any problems with a lil bit of frame support at the right shop, but a person with no kind of experience with this stuff, wouldn't try it on my own.
that photoshopped camaro with the top is way tight too, I really dig it!
Nothing like a maro with a hollywood top http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

------------------
TONEZ28 - 97 Black A4 z28 : 270rwhp / 290rwtq
Mods : K&N CAI-Flowmaster-TB Bypass-Airfoil-160 Stat-Cutout-
!MAF Screen-Manual Fan Switch-BFG DR's (track use only)
Appearance : 01' z28 Chrome 5 Spokes- All GTS Blackouts-Billet Grill-
Orange Reflective z28 & Bowtie Overlays and Camaro Fill-in
Best E.T. : 13.64 @101.50 w/ 2.04 60'
w/ Drag Radials : 13.56@100.80 w/ 1.97 60'

Just to let y'all know, it has been done by someone that posted it here in the Lounge. It was about 4 or so months ago, I am guessing.

He hadn't had it totally finished, and still had some minor work to do, but it was 95% done.

It looked good too. I have no idea what his name is or anything, though. http://web.camaross.com/bb/cool.gif

http://web.camaross.com/bb/tongue.gif

------------------
Dustin Wray (http://www.csboyfriend.com/dustinisgay1.jpg) and the Lounge's sexiest Second Gen. (http://members.shaw.ca/JeffZ28/gallery/1981/a1.htm)
AIM: Kamaro350Z

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by naaz90:
Got plenty of love for other f-bodies, it was just a joke. I would never make anyone cut up there Z just to see what it would look like.

Ok i'll do it, wheres my ax, and dremel.


</font>

I think he ment pontiacs http://web.camaross.com/bb/tongue.gif http://web.camaross.com/bb/redface.gif

Jason

I'd say go for it, just strengthen the frame. When asking GM, I'm sure they're thinking of the OE Frame support parts, I'm confident it will work with some strengthening. I'm looking into doing it myself... I want the GM High Tech Cover Spot!

Hell Yes, IT would work great for a show car. Take a hard top, and modify it for the Targa. And I got SFC's and a STB about a year ago, helps out tremendously, but I can still feel flex going over speedbumps.