4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue?

Woodfin · 09-11-2016, 07:05 PM

A customer is having me build a 4 gen Firebird bracket racer. Small block of about 700 horse, 6.0's 1/8 mile performance. Finished weight with driver around 2900 pounds.

The "core" car we are considering has T tops.

The buildup will be a back half with full cage.

Question, is there any structural problem building a T top car?

HandOverFist · 09-11-2016, 07:28 PM

I would think not...lots of convertibles out there racing as well.

Woodfin · 09-11-2016, 08:02 PM

a reasonable thought

Kegracing · 09-12-2016, 09:43 AM

Larry,

I think it is all how you tie the cage into the structure of the car. I have not done anything with 4th gen bodies, but most OEM floor structures are a little different for convertibles and T top cars.

With a full cage, and your experience, I would not worry about it at all.

Ken

Woodfin · 09-12-2016, 10:00 AM

The one issue I am considering now is the weight. Because of the added structure, is a T Top car of any consideration heavier than a non - T.

OR, would the extra structure be an advantage?

I know the tops themselves are heavy.

Kegracing · 09-12-2016, 10:15 AM

Not sure about shipping weight. Could look at the NHRA guides and see if it shows a difference.

Not sure if customer wants the T top look, but I remember seeing a car long time ago that the guy had made metal covers to replace the glass. Do not remember any details, was long time ago. Sure this would take a lot of fab work, but might be able to do some aluminum covers and save some (lot) weight and still have structure. With cage in place and twist eliminated from car frame, would not need the OEM structure of the tops. Also rain/water leaks not as big a concern with race car?

Just some early Monday morning race car thoughts - when I should be working! LOL.

Ken

Woodfin · 09-12-2016, 10:27 AM

Pondering is a good and necessary thing.

"you keep thinking Butch, that's what your best at" [from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid]

Woodfin · 09-12-2016, 11:16 AM

After some pondering, I think we should find a non - T core car. We will be making an effort to remove all weight so no reason to have that handicap.

HandOverFist · 09-12-2016, 11:29 AM

A T-top car is an ugly creation to me, but for a bracket car I don't see it being much of a detriment.

Woodfin · 09-12-2016, 11:35 AM

another thought for consideration,

we hope it never happens, yet if you get up side down, think about where will the T Top glass would go.

I figger some of it would be all over the driver

09-11-2016, 07:05 PM	#1
Woodfin Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 428 Likes: 5 Liked 70 Times in 38 Posts	4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? A customer is having me build a 4 gen Firebird bracket racer. Small block of about 700 horse, 6.0's 1/8 mile performance. Finished weight with driver around 2900 pounds. The "core" car we are considering has T tops. The buildup will be a back half with full cage. Question, is there any structural problem building a T top car?

09-11-2016, 07:28 PM	#2
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? I would think not...lots of convertibles out there racing as well. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

09-11-2016, 08:02 PM	#3
Woodfin Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 428 Likes: 5 Liked 70 Times in 38 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? a reasonable thought

09-12-2016, 09:43 AM	#4
Kegracing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Red Oak, TX Posts: 441 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? Larry, I think it is all how you tie the cage into the structure of the car. I have not done anything with 4th gen bodies, but most OEM floor structures are a little different for convertibles and T top cars. With a full cage, and your experience, I would not worry about it at all. Ken

09-12-2016, 10:00 AM	#5
Woodfin Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 428 Likes: 5 Liked 70 Times in 38 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? The one issue I am considering now is the weight. Because of the added structure, is a T Top car of any consideration heavier than a non - T. OR, would the extra structure be an advantage? I know the tops themselves are heavy.

09-12-2016, 10:15 AM	#6
Kegracing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Red Oak, TX Posts: 441 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? Not sure about shipping weight. Could look at the NHRA guides and see if it shows a difference. Not sure if customer wants the T top look, but I remember seeing a car long time ago that the guy had made metal covers to replace the glass. Do not remember any details, was long time ago. Sure this would take a lot of fab work, but might be able to do some aluminum covers and save some (lot) weight and still have structure. With cage in place and twist eliminated from car frame, would not need the OEM structure of the tops. Also rain/water leaks not as big a concern with race car? Just some early Monday morning race car thoughts - when I should be working! LOL. Ken

09-12-2016, 10:27 AM	#7
Woodfin Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 428 Likes: 5 Liked 70 Times in 38 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? Pondering is a good and necessary thing. "you keep thinking Butch, that's what your best at" [from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid]

09-12-2016, 11:16 AM	#8
Woodfin Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 428 Likes: 5 Liked 70 Times in 38 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? After some pondering, I think we should find a non - T core car. We will be making an effort to remove all weight so no reason to have that handicap.

09-12-2016, 11:29 AM	#9
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? A T-top car is an ugly creation to me, but for a bracket car I don't see it being much of a detriment. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

09-12-2016, 11:35 AM	#10
Woodfin Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 428 Likes: 5 Liked 70 Times in 38 Posts	Re: 4th gen Firebird build, are "T Tops" a strength issue? another thought for consideration, we hope it never happens, yet if you get up side down, think about where will the T Top glass would go. I figger some of it would be all over the driver