Convertible Unibodies

[JGC403]

Did the A-body convertibles have extra stiffeners in the unibody? Is it worth adding these extra stiffeners to a hard top car?

 

[4spdragtop]

They had extra pieces of steel in the rocker panels.

 

[JGC403]

OK, so that's how they did it. Would it be worth trying to copy that onto a hard top rocker panel? Is the extra weight worth the extra rigidity?

 

[4spdragtop]

Im no expert, I would talk to your body guy with the $$ and work involved.

 

[hellion_locdogg]

Sounds like you're looking for sub-frame connectors. Or are you chopping a hard top?

 

[JGC403]

I want the unibody as stiff as possible. So sub-frame connectors, convertible rocker panels, whatever gets me there.

Just looking for ideas right now, don't even have the car yet. Hopefully that will change on Sunday.

 

[hellion_locdogg]

Connectors should be as much as you need unless you have crazy plans.

 

[Burntorange70]

Did the A-body convertibles have extra stiffeners in the unibody? Is it worth adding these extra stiffeners to a hard top car?

Yes verts like 4 sped cars had torque boxes. You can add them but subframe connectors will do more good.

 

[twofosho]

For maximum rigidity of the unibody shell you're going to want to add both front and rear torque boxes, add subframe connectors tied in to the floor pan, and increase the engine box rigidity with pieces like the ones XV sells.