Additional reinforcements?

Drnick · 01-06-2022, 07:50 AM

Question: chassis comparison, coupe compared to convertible, is there
Any difference between structural part of chassis
Between the two, considering convertible has no
Roof structure?

*radz28* · 01-06-2022, 08:06 AM

Ragtops get at least one additional X-braces in the chassis (hence the reason for the exhaust crunches). I think I have a GM-picture somewhere highlighting some of the bracing... it's just not at this PC. There are probably more enhancements, too, that are not seen. There are more details that are not coming to me at this time though... more coffee...

Older F-bodies had rocker rail parts that weren't really seen that were added for ragtops. They even had different transmission mount brackets that tied into additional floor stampings for rigidity. I found some of these little details at the time, when I was a parts guy at a dealership. They actually helped my T-top car.

wnta1ss · 01-06-2022, 08:22 AM

I have seen an SS convertible on a lift and I have an SS coupe, so noticed some differences. Yes there are cross braces under the convertible. Additionally the vert came with a strut tower brace. Side note, vert does not have the differential cooler or the auxiliary engine coolers. Plus the vert does not have the front brake cooling ducts. Vert also has a lower speed limiter in the ECM, bottom line is, LOT of differences in the vert from the coupe.

Gunkk · 01-06-2022, 08:38 AM

The convertible has:
1. Reinforced rockers. Approx 1/2" of extra steel channel running front to back along the sides.

2. X-bracing bolted to the bottom of the car. Pics here:
https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showp...76&postcount=8

3. More steel between the rear wheels behind the back seat. This supports the top's hydraulics as well as adding stiffness to the car.

Also, my car has front cooling ducts and is 100% factory stock.

This chassis is rock solid. No cowl shake, no body twisting on corners, curbs or speed bumps. When I jack up the car at the front pinch weld, the rear wheel leaves the ground too, and the door can be open and shut without any deflection. Never seen another vert do all of this. IIRC, Al O was once quoted/paraphrased as saying when they designed the 6th gen they did the vert first to make sure there were no compromises, then they did the coupe. This is very much unlike the s550 which is a wet noodle like my wife's solara, It's also the reason Ford won't make a GT350 or GT500 vert.

Jaxcam02 · 01-06-2022, 08:45 AM

dont convertibles also get the strut tower brace?

Kevin0311 · 01-06-2022, 10:02 AM

No strut tower brace on 22 zl1 vert bracing from tower to firewall not sure if that on coupe

Idaho2018GTPremium · 01-06-2022, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin0311

No strut tower brace on 22 zl1 vert bracing from tower to firewall not sure if that on coupe

Yes, those tower to firewall braces are also on the coupe.

LT4Greg · 01-06-2022, 10:32 AM

No strut tower brace due to no clearance with the supercharger.

Drnick · 01-06-2022, 11:05 AM

Thx for all the info, I had 68’ firebird vert.with big block
And that had some twist too it, especially with slicks��

01-06-2022, 07:50 AM	#1
Drnick Drives: 22’ ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Florida Posts: 449 View My Garage	Additional reinforcements? Question: chassis comparison, coupe compared to convertible, is there Any difference between structural part of chassis Between the two, considering convertible has no Roof structure?

01-06-2022, 08:06 AM	#2
radz28 Petro-sexual Drives: Ultra-Grin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crazy Coast Posts: 15,847 View My Garage	Ragtops get at least one additional X-braces in the chassis (hence the reason for the exhaust crunches). I think I have a GM-picture somewhere highlighting some of the bracing... it's just not at this PC. There are probably more enhancements, too, that are not seen. There are more details that are not coming to me at this time though... more coffee... Older F-bodies had rocker rail parts that weren't really seen that were added for ragtops. They even had different transmission mount brackets that tied into additional floor stampings for rigidity. I found some of these little details at the time, when I was a parts guy at a dealership. They actually helped my T-top car. __________________ '20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs

01-06-2022, 08:45 AM	#5
Jaxcam02 Drives: 2017 Silverado/2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Jax/Palatka FL Posts: 1,091	dont convertibles also get the strut tower brace? __________________

01-06-2022, 10:02 AM	#6
Kevin0311 Drives: Chevy ss sedan, 22 ZL1 vert Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 88	No strut tower brace on 22 zl1 vert bracing from tower to firewall not sure if that on coupe Attached Images

01-06-2022, 10:32 AM	#8
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,872	No strut tower brace due to no clearance with the supercharger. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

01-06-2022, 08:22 AM	#3
wnta1ss Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NH Posts: 1,713	I have seen an SS convertible on a lift and I have an SS coupe, so noticed some differences. Yes there are cross braces under the convertible. Additionally the vert came with a strut tower brace. Side note, vert does not have the differential cooler or the auxiliary engine coolers. Plus the vert does not have the front brake cooling ducts. Vert also has a lower speed limiter in the ECM, bottom line is, LOT of differences in the vert from the coupe.

01-06-2022, 08:38 AM	#4
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 5,179 View My Garage	The convertible has: 1. Reinforced rockers. Approx 1/2" of extra steel channel running front to back along the sides. 2. X-bracing bolted to the bottom of the car. Pics here: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showp...76&postcount=8 3. More steel between the rear wheels behind the back seat. This supports the top's hydraulics as well as adding stiffness to the car. Also, my car has front cooling ducts and is 100% factory stock. This chassis is rock solid. No cowl shake, no body twisting on corners, curbs or speed bumps. When I jack up the car at the front pinch weld, the rear wheel leaves the ground too, and the door can be open and shut without any deflection. Never seen another vert do all of this. IIRC, Al O was once quoted/paraphrased as saying when they designed the 6th gen they did the vert first to make sure there were no compromises, then they did the coupe. This is very much unlike the s550 which is a wet noodle like my wife's solara, It's also the reason Ford won't make a GT350 or GT500 vert.

01-06-2022, 11:05 AM	#9
Drnick Drives: 22’ ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Florida Posts: 449 View My Garage	Thx for all the info, I had 68’ firebird vert.with big block And that had some twist too it, especially with slicks�� Last edited by Drnick; 01-06-2022 at 11:06 AM. Reason: Spelling

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