GT VS CONVETABLE FRAMES

[DavidD1458]

Do the Convertable GTs have a better frame than the GTs coupes. The reason
I am asking is that I own a 96 GT Conv. and was considering adding frame
braces or stiffing bars to it. But only if they are needed in a Conv. as
in reading I have yet to find that the frames are different. No place
other than by salesmaneeze, does it say or indicate that the GT or Conv.
frames are different from each other (or even better than one or the
other) So after all that what I am asking is: are the frames different and
if so do you need braces in a convertable? Thanks to All who answer!
Dave
96 Tangerine GT CONV

[Daniel Ciobota]

DavidD1458 wrote:
>
> Do the Convertable GTs have a better frame than the GTs coupes.

I think you were asking two questions here, one about bracing, the other
about the frames themselves. First the convertible has some chassis
reinforcement, mostly in the rear quarters; it also has some additional
bracing to prevent body twist. This reinforcement makes the convertible
just about as stiff as the coupe. However, both coupes and convertibles
still suffer from the unibody frame design, i.e. lack of a full frame.
For strip use, and to stiffen the chassis for street also, you still
need subframe connectors.

Daniel

[Edward Kim]

DavidD1458 (david...@aol.com) wrote:
: Do the Convertable GTs have a better frame than the GTs coupes. The reason

A convertible needs body stiffining more than the coupes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+Edward Kim +
+Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 +
+uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!+
+1996 Mustang GT White/Black interior 5-speed +
+SVO 3.55s, SVO subframes, K&N w/o air intake silencer +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Ronbo]

DavidD1458 <david...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970328033...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

> Do the Convertable GTs have a better frame than the GTs coupes. The
reason
> I am asking is that I own a 96 GT Conv. and was considering adding frame
> braces or stiffing bars to it. But only if they are needed in a Conv. as
> in reading I have yet to find that the frames are different.

Yes, there is a difference between the convertable and coupe subframes.
Exactly what the difference is on the SN95 mustangs, I couldn't tell you
exactly. However, the additional braces only strengthen the chassis to
point of rigidity enjoyed by the coupes, which isn't much. If you intend
on adding extra horses, or drive the car hard, then I would advise some
kind of added braces to make the chassis more rigid. However, from what
little I've heard from late Mustang Convertable owners, the things aren't
that flexible in normal, conservative driving. However, I've been bitten
by the Fox chassis too much and if it were mine, I would add the additional
bracing

Ronbo
Rebel Pony Project

[0to60]

DavidD1458 wrote:
> Do the Convertable GTs have a better frame than the GTs coupes. The reason
> I am asking is that I own a 96 GT Conv. and was considering adding frame
> braces or stiffing bars to it. But only if they are needed in a Conv. as

> in reading I have yet to find that the frames are different. No place
> other than by salesmaneeze, does it say or indicate that the GT or Conv.
> frames are different from each other (or even better than one or the
> other) So after all that what I am asking is: are the frames different and
> if so do you need braces in a convertable? Thanks to All who answer!

> Dave
> 96 Tangerine GT CONV

First of all, the Mustang doesn't have a frame, it has a unibody. That
means that the body parts, floorpan and roof pretty much make up the
structure of the car.

The convertable and the coupe are both designed from the same unibody.
Since the convertable doesn't have a roof (and the roof provides a lot
of structure), it gets extra bracing here and there. This is pretty
much standard on all convertables regardless of make. The goal of a
convertable is to be as stiff as a coupe. Convertables from BMW and
Mercedes are the best, stiffest convertables in the world.

I would recommend to any owner of a pony car (GM or Ford, coupe or
convertable), that they install subframe connectors and strut tower
braces. These will help stiffen the chassis, giving the car a better
feel and longer life.

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[EMorris547]

Worked for me.