T-Top vs. Hardtop question?

[V8KILLR]

I was wondering if there were any difference structurally between a T-Top car and a Hardtop car ones a full cage is put in? I would think that the cage and not the roofline would absorb most of the twisting. I guess what I’m after is; can a T-Top car go into 9s, 8s, 7s or what with a full cage?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[XXQUICK6XX]

Roll Cage

I just got my 1987 GN with T-Tops NHRA certified for as fast as 7.50's even though the motor is not built for it yet.

Steve

 

[Weazel]

A TTop car is never going to be as structually sound as a hardtop, all other things equal (cage, etc). A cage will definitely take load off of the car's body, but it will never absorb all of it. But damn, if Quick6 got his certified to 7.50s, I would say they're definitely capable of being made into pretty sick drag cars. Too bad they won't let you run 'em at the track with the TTops off

 

[forzfed]

I would say it is no problem! My buddy runs 9s with his T-Top car, and the front tires are in the air a good ways. That thing is as straight as an arrow. No twisting or anything!

 

[motorhead]

Originally posted by Weazel
A TTop car is never going to be as structually sound as a hardtop, all other things equal (cage, etc). A cage will definitely take load off of the car's body, but it will never absorb all of it. But damn, if Quick6 got his certified to 7.50s, I would say they're definitely capable of being made into pretty sick drag cars. Too bad they won't let you run 'em at the track with the TTops off

I think you are way off base. The T-top cars are more structurally sound than the hard tops. Go to the junk yard at look at the t-top cars vs. the hard top cars... what you'll notice is that the t-top cars can support the weight of another vehicle placed onto its roof. Hard top cars can't.

And to answer the original question: There is really no difference once the frame is tied together with a cage when it comes to t-tops.

 

[jastrckl]

the thing you're forgetting mr t, is that at the launch, twisting forces make t-top cars look like a pretzel. been a while since I've seen a drag car with another car parked on top of it. Totally different kind of load there.

 

[forzfed]

Originally posted by jastrckl
twisting forces make t-top cars look like a pretzel.

I've seen non t-top cars look like a pretzel. If everything is set up properly the car should not twist. Don't blame the t-top cars for that.

 

[V8KILLR]

Thanks guys!!! All I was really asking is if the load taken by the T-tops is negligible next to the load taken by the cage. Got my answer.

Thanks again,
Jason