Convertable TOP Pictoral Install/ Removal
 

Is anyone interested in a writeup on how to remove the convertable top skin and replace it? I am in the process of doing the replacement right now and thought that if anyone was interested I could start taking pictures and explaining how it is done... If anyone is interested that is...

Any takers? Good idea/bad idea? Worth doing..? I thought it was going to be a lot harder then it was, but it is VERY time consuming.. And delicate work..

This would be a good write-up to have around here. I say do it.

<thumbs up>

I'd say it's a very good idea!

Will do, I am taking the top off the car and then replacing the skin, Should be a good writeup..

How bout giving updates as you progress? Any issues you encounter and stuff like that.

I would welcome the write up on it... I have removed them myself.
 

Let me know as you go thru the process...

I think it would be great if more attention was given to the vert...
I have an '88 mild port with a Holley 600 cfm and I am converting to weber 45 sidedraft. My vert sports P285-35ZR-18 rear Yokohama tires on 18x11" wheels

Here is a pic of my vert...

BTW: I have access to some really great pricing on the convertible tops.. since I own an RX7 Convertible shop in Miami.

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...bolares031.jpg

Deffinatley write this up.

Preacher your shop got a website with pricing info? :)

I think it's a great idea. I absolutely agree that our verts deserve more attention. I read the fsm but their coverage on this issue is not very good.

FSM has a great write up on how to do it. even the most domestic shade tree mechanic should be able to replace the top using the FSM

And see someone has proved me wrong... your picture proves you can put too much wheel and tire on a FC...:(

hey dude, i have a 88 vert with a tii swap in it. I have a bounch of rips and tears in my top, its covered with black duct-tape right now. I was wondering how much it would cost to reskin it OR if you know if they make a hard top for the verts....(winter in nc gets a little "nipple-e") so i'm defenately intersted in doing something about the top, let me know!

nice spoiler, what brand, where did you get it from? Interested in one of those too lol!

No hard top conversions out there. Which makes for the only time i get jealous of the Miata. They have the perfect set up for Seattle weather. Put the hard top on about Oct take it off about April. Go soft top the rest of the year. :P

That's the factory sport spoiler

here's a link to a write up with pics, but i for one would have no problem reading another
http://www.torquecentral.com/showthr...threadid=11000

I also have the plans for a custom speaker box for the vert
 

I will be displaying pics of the custom speaker box that goes in the spare tire compartment. You can still keep the stock rear cover on to keep out roving eyes so it will appear stock and then when you want to show off your vert you can take the top panel off , fold it and store it in the trunk of your vert.

I also have a Vertical Door Kit for the vert as well that I fabricate at my shop. The install takes less than 3 hours.

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...NNEWKIT021.jpg

That's a good writeup, but i would have liked more pictures.

What offset are u running in the rear and front. What width of rim up front and what size tire up front. Also did you have to roll your fenders at all. I like wide ass tires and gave me an the idea that it really can be done.

EVERYBODY can get good deals on tops. I can get a brand new front and back section for $310 just like everybody else. The installion is not hard enough to need a shop to do it.

How much does that vertical door kit cost anyway? And why put 285's on a car that maybe* has 180rwhp?

edit: heres the site for convertible tops, the next best price I've seen was $650
http://www.tops4less.com/protopacces...mazda-rx7.html

do you have any more pics of that Vert with the lambo doors? i love the way the vert looks with those doors

Good looking Vert.

No way in hell those wheels and tires are what you say they are.
Nice looking car though.

The Specs...
 

I dont know the offset on these wheels...
I can tell you that they are Fittipaldi Tubolares
Rear: 18x11
Front: 18x 9

The tires are Yohohamas 275-35-18 on back .. I was running 285's but changed them to the 275

The front tires are also Yokohamas 235-40-18

I paid about $200.00 per rear tire.

I did not have to roll the fenders at all... I do however have stock ride height with my springs but I am considering on lowering the vert 1.2 inches all the way around.

I also had to use spacers to prevent the wheels from rubbing against the rear struts.. i also replaced the wheel studs on the rear that i bought from NAPA at $2.18 each whereas up front I used longer racing wheel studs since there is a lot more heat and stress caused by turning and steering.

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...bolares039.jpg

Who said 180rwhp ?
 

The vertical door kit runs $ 599.00

and my vert has 232 rwhp

I am currently running a Holley 600cfm but as I am typing this the 45 DCOE weber carb is being installed. for an additional rwhp.

BEFORE PIC:
https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...viewright1.jpg

AFTER THE WEBER CONVERSION:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...P/IMG_0936.jpg

Here are the pics you requested
 

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...O_1003copy.jpg
https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...NNEWKIT025.jpg

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...NNEWKIT021.jpg

Check out this pic of the vert...