C-4 removable tops both and frame flex question

Don't know maybe this has been covered. Someone just recently said that the
removable top adds regiddity to the frame. My question. As I drive almost
exclusively with the tinted top, which is lighter and thinner therefore not
as strong as the solid top, does my frame flex more with that top than the
solid top? I would think that flexing, besides being a detriment to
handling, also speeds up the damage to the frame. After all they retire
commercial jets due to wearing out of the structural members etc.

Should I put the solid top back on?

Thanks for your thoughts, Wade in NW Florida

It flexes when you have the top OUT, you still have the top frame bolted
in place. Commercial jets are aluminum, which will crack after repeated
flexing, sometimes catastrophically. You have a steel frame, on the
other hand the C6 ZO6 has an aluminum frame so you are unlikely to see
an engineer condone removing it's top with an after market chop job.



Wade Herod wrote:
> Don't know maybe this has been covered. Someone just recently said that the
> removable top adds regiddity to the frame. My question. As I drive almost
> exclusively with the tinted top, which is lighter and thinner therefore not
> as strong as the solid top, does my frame flex more with that top than the
> solid top? I would think that flexing, besides being a detriment to
> handling, also speeds up the damage to the frame. After all they retire
> commercial jets due to wearing out of the structural members etc.
>
> Should I put the solid top back on?
>
> Thanks for your thoughts, Wade in NW Florida
>
>

It was just a thought. I didn't seriously believe that the frame would fall
apart. I have more concern with where I have to drive to get to the highway
than frame flex would contribute to failure. I have to drive a quarter mile
on a dirt road to get to the highway. And when it gets washboardy I end up
going about 3 miles an hour till I'm through the 50 yards or so of
washboard. Its about time they grade again anyway. . But the pluses
outway the negatives. I have about a 3 mile flat straightaway just over the
hill from my farm to let the vette feel its legs. And its not too
patrolled.

Thanks to all
Wade in NW Florida

"Vern" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> Wade Herod wrote:
>> Don't know maybe this has been covered. Someone just recently said that
>> the
>> removable top adds regiddity to the frame. My question. As I drive
>> almost
>> exclusively with the tinted top, which is lighter and thinner therefore
>> not
>> as strong as the solid top, does my frame flex more with that top than
>> the
>> solid top? I would think that flexing, besides being a detriment to
>> handling, also speeds up the damage to the frame. After all they retire
>> commercial jets due to wearing out of the structural members etc.
>>
>> Should I put the solid top back on?
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughts, Wade in NW Florida
>
> I have a C4 - 92 Coupe and I take the top off alot when its cooler. Yes
> there is definite "Cowl Shake" vibrations without the top.
>
> Be careful handling the top, don't grab the front of it by the thin
> framing or it will break off !
>