zmaster Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 I want T-Tops on My 75 280z coupe, I could easily take my car to a well respected auto glass shop, and have them do this for me. I was wondering what everyones opinion is on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Are you insane? It's a unibody that wasn't built for T-Tops. There's not enough structural support in the frame rails to hold the car together if you cut a good portion of the roof out. It's been done, but to be safe you would have to add a lot of reinforcements through the T-Bar in the center of the roof and to the frame rails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughdogz Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 I think it would look cool as hell. I remember seeing a photo of an S30 with T-tops from an S130. IIRC, the coupe T-tops will fit better than the longer 2+2 T-tops. The coupe T-tops are almost exactly the same length as the top of the S30 window frame, almost like Nissan meant for this modification to be possible! My only concern would be that you should add reinforcement to account for less torsional rigidity, etc. of the unibody. [edit: naviathan beat me to it!] [second edit: Okay, after reading the older thead on this, even if properly done, it will compromise the structural integrity of the unibody too much. It's not worth it IMHO. Sorry to be such a floppy-fish about it...] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 back in the day t tops on s30s was an option at some dealerships, its very rare to find one with dealer installed t tops but the do exist. I will try to post up the link about this later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmaster Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 i will have to calland see if they would add the extra support... I believe they would Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Some-Guy Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I love t-tops DO IT. I would imagine you could stiffen the car with a cage too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmaster Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 I never thought of stiifening the car with a cage.... good idea. I need more people to give me their opinions. The whole reason why I want T-tops is because I don't wan't to buy another Z car to restore, because I am already restoring one z car, and I don't want a convertible z, so I chose the t-tops becasue they look great on any coupe or at least to me they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(goldfish) Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 IIRC the S30's had frames around the windows. That would have to be removed for the t-tops to work nice IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmaster Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 I believe they will work that all out and bracethe car properly. Like I said I will have to call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I really doubt a "glass shop" is going to do all those mods for you. Your better off finding a custom car builder and seeing what they will charge to make the modifications. What are you expecting to pay for this "operation"? Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 You need to cut the roof off of an s130, and graft it on a s30. Heres a pic of one done: And a thread about the car...http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=88021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Just by an S130. The roof line of an S30 really makes the car for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamH Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Please don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmaster Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 I woke up this morning and thought of buying a 280zx roof, and weld it on my 280z, and I would sell the 280z roof because it is pretty much perfect, no dents, and very little rust by the windsheild where the weatherstripping is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelToad Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 That S30 with the t-tops looks fantastic. Before you do this, please make sure you can find weatherstripping for the new roof. It'll probably cost as much as the rest of the project combined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmaster Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 well everything costs something in life so oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Roof swaps are pretty expensive, better look into that before jumping on the roof idea. Agreed though, if you DO follow through with it the roof way is likely the best way. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 i think it looks weird. but its cool. but weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Here comes trouble Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Fellows, lead solder holds the Z top on. Those seam cracks near the sail panels are soldered on. What I suggest for a T top is a roll bar connected to the rear strut towers and the towers connected to themselves. Square tubing from the rear towers along the outside frame rails to the firewall with a little reinforcing going up the firewall. Connect the front strut towers to the firewall. For a stock motor and easy driving............ IMO... you do not need anything to re-inforce for a convertible or T-Top. But on the other hand I have a TomaHawk Cobra convertible and I welded in de beeejeezus of re-inforcement. Also a T-Top maybe prove to be energy efficient in a few years where you can forego bathing showers at home and get a good soaking in the Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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