So regarding convertible structure what is it that keeps the foxes from buckling in the center is there some huge piece of steel inside the rockers or something? Surely the sheet metal floor alone wouldn't be enough.
convertible structure
- Thread starter tsiemens
- Start date
There is an aluminum piece that runs along the rocker front to back, it is riveted. There is also a brace from the radiator support to the k member then to the frame rail.
i think the header across the top of the back seat is heavier too.
i think the header across the top of the back seat is heavier too.
Besides the sub frame connectors they really need the strut tower brace too, the cowl/windshield area has very little support and can/will develop a shake.
You'll have to pick an aftermarket strut tower brace, they didn't come stock to the best of my knowledge. Maximum Motorsports makes a nice piece, I used one on the 84 convertible I had and is likely what I'll get for my 87.
Not factory. Purely aftermarket option.
I added an MM strut tower to my car and it made a noticeable improvement in reducing cowl shake and my car is a hatch.
- Mar 2, 2015
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Stifflers makes the best brace for a convertible....the spider brace system. The weakest point is between the cowl area under the dash and the front lower corners of the door openings. Strut tower brace helps and the lower k kember to frame rail brace is a must. The factory has one but a bunch of people removed them over the years. The factory braced the k member in an x from core support to k member and k member to frame rail. I've put convertible braces on LX and GT cars and noticed an instant difference...especially if adding a strut tower brace that mounts to the firewall pinch weld. The ones that bolt to the front of the cowl / firewall where the wiper washer tube runs through are a joke. That metal is too thin to not flex over time....helps but not the best design.
Gs1987GT
Active Member
"There is an aluminum piece that runs along the rocker front to back, it is riveted.'
If the piece you reference is the one that runs on the underside of the rocker panels between the front and rear wheels, that is a steel piece, not aluminum.
Over my Christmas vacation I installed MM full length subframe connectors. The factory convertible braces have to be modified on the convertibles (my car is). The front ones get removed, part of it cut off and then it's welded to the frame connector and that steel brace on the underside of the rocker. The rear braces over the torque boxes get the rivets removed where they go though the frame rail, you cut a slit in the brace, then weld it to the frame rail.
It was a big job for sure, but well worth the effort, especially on a convertible. I'm looking forward to driving the car when I get a few more things done to see how it feels with the subframe connectors instslled.
If the piece you reference is the one that runs on the underside of the rocker panels between the front and rear wheels, that is a steel piece, not aluminum.
Over my Christmas vacation I installed MM full length subframe connectors. The factory convertible braces have to be modified on the convertibles (my car is). The front ones get removed, part of it cut off and then it's welded to the frame connector and that steel brace on the underside of the rocker. The rear braces over the torque boxes get the rivets removed where they go though the frame rail, you cut a slit in the brace, then weld it to the frame rail.
It was a big job for sure, but well worth the effort, especially on a convertible. I'm looking forward to driving the car when I get a few more things done to see how it feels with the subframe connectors instslled.
Gs1987GT
Active Member
Sorry guys, no good pics of the brace. I'll see what I can do
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