T-tops

[thomas_quinn]

Is there any problem with a ttop body? If I was planning on building a 11sec setup later would it be ok? Really couldnt think of exactly how to ask it. Thanks

 

[Renthorin]

T-top cars are structurally inferior to solid roof cars.

You will need to put a roll cage in it.

 

[blackbuick87]

Nah, not for a car going 11.50 or slower. Also they can survive a dip or two a year below that with no problems.

I plan on taking my TTop car to high 11's. I will probably stop there because I am poor. All you need to do is add rear seat braces, underneath frame braces and upper front braces, and you will never have a problem. Plus Hard top cars are way more likely to develop cracks in the A pillar area simply because the roof is ridged and can not flex.

For a full race car running LOTS of low 11's and 10's, yeah get a hard top. Otherwise enjoy the wind through your hair

 

[gn85]

Just remember to have those t-tops secured well.. I know there were a couple of cases where the f-body cars would shed their t-tops because they weren't properly in place.

 

[Rob B]

A roll bar/cage will be needed for an 11 sec car. At least at every track I have been to in the past has required it. Once I go past 11.99 on the E.T, (every chance I get )I get told not to return untill I have a 6 point roll bar welded in.

BTW, my GN is a T top body, and I havn't had a problem with body flex. Then again I have replaced all the body bushings, added a fat sway bar in the back along with the Hotchkis (sp) rear suspension kit and air bags in the rear springs. Rear seat brace kit is also nice to have. Easy enough to make yourself. A roll bar/cage will do the best job of keeping the body stiff, no doubt about it.

My car drives solid, smooth over train tracks and is squeek free. I have seen some T top cars develop cracks in the paint around the back side windows from overstress. But then again, they probabally haven't beefed up the bracing.

 

[77tech9]

Is there a manual our somewhere that discusses the body mounts and the missing gnx mounts?

I would like to replace them all and get a back brace, but just wanted a little more info.

 

[Gary Wells]

Kirban's catalogue used to have a small blurp in there about which ones were generally missing and where they all wnet, including the gnx bushings. Don't know if the current catalogue is the same in this respect, but I would imagine it is.

 

[jasonlachapelle]

GNTTYPE.org has some really good info in the "interior, body and gauges" section. Really nice diagrams.
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/images/bushings.gif
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/mounts.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/bushings.html

 

[77tech9]

perfect info, thanks...

Too bad they are almost $300 on kirbans :\

 

[GN ERGY]

Just buy the Energy suspension body bushing kit. It has the missing GNX bushings and be done with it. Jegs and Summit have it for around 120 bucks.
Tarey D.

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by Rob B
A roll bar/cage will be needed for an 11 sec car. At least at every track I have been to in the past has required it. Once I go past 11.99 on the E.T, (every chance I get )I get told not to return untill I have a 6 point roll bar welded in.

Just to be clear, the 11.99 requirement is of all cars - not just T-Top cars. It's 13.99 for convertibles.

Jim