Re: Some autocrossing questions...
 

The tops won't make it any stiffer. I've never noticed a difference one way or the other.

Re: Some autocrossing questions...
 

A little story for you, straight from the mouth of a chassis development engineer for the F-body platform, circa 1992:

A third-generation F-body test mule was outfitted with strain gages, applied directly to the body in an effort to determine stresses on the chassis. It was track tested at Milford. Once the study was done, the technicians used a sawsall to cut out a rough T-top into the roof of the car, and the test was re-done. The result was a negligble increase in chassis flex. It seems that the tiny bit of flat steel we call our "roof" does not make a significant contribution to the stiffness of the F-body platform.

So go run your T-top car without the tops, and dont worry about it. I *always* autocross without the glass tops in place, unless it's raining out.

Re: Some autocrossing questions...
 

I think if they where stress bearing they would shatter

Re: Some autocrossing questions...
 

Not necessarily. Your windshield is a stressed member of your chassis and a significant amount of roofline rigidity is gained from it. That's one of the reasons it is considered a safety hazard to run a cracked windshield. So glass can and is used in stressed bearing applications on cars.


If you were to physically bond in the T-tops they might aid in increasing roofline strength. However, you are probably right in that the tops were not designed to be stressed members like a laminated glass windshield. Thus, they might, or might not take the stress.

Re: Some autocrossing questions...
 

I run with the top down. Just like a Miata.

And Miatas rule autocross :p