I really love the look of the choptop Fieros I've seen, and I'm really considering having it done one day, provided I have the cash to ship it to Archie's and back AND pay for the procedure itself.

So, people who have had choptops done by Archie, what was the experience like, and how did you like the job? I wanna hear the good AND the bad, if there is any bad at all.

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Red '88 Fiero GT -- 2.8V6, 5Speed

I've neverhad one done by Archie, but I've seen his work up close. It's the single best mod that can be done to a Fiero, IMHO.

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If you find my advice useful, then please give me a positive rating, thanks...

Firebird Interior Installation Thread

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 09-01-2003).]

What exactly goes on when they chop the top? I mean obviously they cut a few inches off the car, but is it the same windshield, just slanted more? Do they cut the windows? Is there a thread about the procedures and stuff already?

Thanks,

Mike

Archie's website describes the process in general, (www.v8archie.com)

He lays the original windshield back 9 degrees, roof is about 3 inches lower, new side and back windows out of lexan. Reforms the rear clip and interior trim then paints.

What are the bad experences w/choptop?

1. Depending where you live, you will be concidered a bad-gluteous maximus.
2. Every nut with a four banger will want to challange you....warning!
3. You better have something in the trunk to back you up. So far all choptops have V8's. Why a V8? Go back to Answer #3.
4. With a V8 you are a bad Gluteous maximus. Go back to #1.
5. If you are timid/shy do not get a choptop. Go to #6.
6. Be prepared to talk yourself sensless, from all of the questioned being tossed at you. (I carry gum).
7. Your sense of hearing will improve. Go to #8.
8. People will mistaken your choptop for a exotic car causing you to either correct them or not. Go to #7.
9. Make an appointment w/local chiro doctor for cervicle spine adjustments. Caused by frequent left and right movements while your looking at people watching you.
10. This may lead to uncurable deseas called "Chopitis" an urge chop all fiero within your reach.

In all seriousness, it's a blast, however I would consider that you have (2) cars, because it will draw a crowd. I'm joking about having a V8, but you better have something to back you up or to compliment the Choptop (exotic looks) because, thats the second word that comes out of their mouth...Whats under the hood? Followed next with...what type of brakes do you have? I found this to be true with ones who have lambo kits w/a 2.8, it just dont cut-it!
Me well... I try to leave "no stones unturned" and I have a long way too go or to catch-up (GBC, stinger just to name a few). Although I have a Northstar,a LT1's or SBC might give more of Muscle car feel or bad dude mentality, but all-in-all you cant have one without the other.

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LOL... I wasn't quite sure what you meant by 'bad gluteus maximus' till I started remembering a bit of anatomy...

I definetly would wanna have a V8 under the... trunk... if I had the choptop job done. I wouldn't go with anything less... save for maybe a sc3800 or a (twin?)turbo V6 or something.

How about the build quality, though? I think the quality of the build is the thing I'm most worried about. I've heard this and that about Archie's work being sloppy here and there, so of course the best way to get accurate opinions would be to ask the customer base.

I read the description of the process on Archie's site a while back, and ever since then I've been pondering the idea of shipping my car over, driving cross-country to have it done, galavant for a couple weeks while it's being done, then drive back to ship the car back over here...

... oh the possibilities...

Choptop.... yum.... yum..... me likely...

Choptop A+ here!...now where did I lay that sawz-all??....hehe...

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~Properly Twisted '86SE~

quote Originally posted by madcurl: I have a long way too go or to catch-up (GBC, stinger just to name a few).

I disagree... I think the N* put's you right behind the Stinger, mainly because of the door's.. I love your's... I about died when I saw your's in the Vegas thread!

SmoothGT!!

PS. My Next Fiero WILL be a chopped top! I wish I would have chopped SmoothGT before I got past the point of no return...

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I have Archie's first choptop, I believe it was built in 1996 or 97 and it is still running as strong as it ever did. I do have a couple of small cracks in on of the roof sections that was chopped, it's something most people don't notice. I think the car has held up great.
There's a lot of work in doing a choptop......you have to gut the interior out, take out all windows, headliner, remove all upper body sections and roof section
than you chop and section the car, make replacements for all of the above pieces, do the body and paint work and put it all back together.

Everything has it's price........ some of the price of having a choptop means
I don't have the headroom I once had.
The side windows will scratch and don't seal up as good as they once did.

I've seen 3 choptops after mine, and in my opinion they just keep getting better and better. and Madcurl I don't think you have any more catching up to do

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quote Originally posted by Smoooooth GT: I disagree... I think the N* put's you right behind the Stinger, mainly because of the door's.. I love your's... I about died when I saw your's in the Vegas thread! SmoothGT!! PS. My Next Fiero WILL be a chopped top! I wish I would have chopped SmoothGT before I got past the point of no return...

Smooth, I know it may add another 5 years to your project but I really think your car would look even better chopped (and w/ paint of course).

All who think Smooth should work a chop in on his mods vote HERE.

I vote yes.

PS Mr. Curl, your car is awesome!

Smoooth has already publically stated that he would do his own chop top. I say why not on the Smoooth GT?

And Madcurl, I think the Northstar and Chop top put you in the top 10 coolest Fieros of all time, if not the top 5.

Hey thanks for the compliments. I do have a question for DL10. Where are the cracks that you are referring too? Do you have any pictures of the crack(s)? I have only seen in person (2) other chop tops however, mine is a little different than the first few chops.
Archie perfected some of the interior parts w/fiberglass...which I believe is a +++. This allows for painting the pieces with the same color as the exterior, which I did on my car (no pics yet). You all ready know that I have a hard top but, I had the painters mold (fiberglass) the seam(gap) that separates the front panel from the rear (more streamline, hell if I have a wreck). So far it is holding up w/no visual cracks even w/the car tilted, in/out of drive ways. Its a pretty good job on the part of Archie's crew. Archie stated that if you have a sun roof, the result would be less room v. a hard top which leads me to my next question. DL10, If you had to do it all over w/a complete new car, would you choose a hard top over a sun roof? The reason why I asked is that my other car has a sun-roof and within a few months it will be at Archie's.

In conclusion...the trade-offs.

1. In my opinion (for those who might considering a chop) I prefer the hard top over the sun roof. Why? Because you can customize the roof with other roof application but, if your gonna have (2) well all the better.
2. You will need to modify the fuel release switch, the original is removed (Archie may have changed since my choptop).
3. You will need to remove all various stereo equiptment. If you have it towed there no problem however, you may need to bring along a portable stereo for the long trip if you drive it.
4. Get all crap that may or may-not need replacing...replaced. Such as heater core, dash, headliner, and ect. (save YOU $$$ in the long run).
5. Archie replaces all dew wipes.
6. He will pick up/back from the air port.
7. He (Archie) visually inspects the car for he's final approval.
8. The lexan glass scratches easily, so if your having it shipped, remove the protective coating after you have the car painted (very hard to do, once you see the car...all giddy like a girl). Get a polishing bottle from Archie for future scrathces.
9. The venting that is located behind the sail panels are removed, so if you have chronic breath you may need the fan on or windows down. Archie may have a solution for this I didnt't ask. Is it a problem? I dont know, it may reduce negitive/positive pressure in the cabin at higher speed.
10. Fieros w/wings, your view will be ltd. Solved by raising or going wingless.
11. Friends will complain, pump the heads on roof line, however if your women can get in the car, who cares if your buddy is 6"5 or has gurdo around the waist.

And Smooooth, your car would look better if you chopped it!

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Madcurl--awsome car. I've seen Archie's site, but what is a closer estimate to the final cost of the chop?

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Smoooth has already publically stated that he would do his own chop top. I say why not on the Smoooth GT?

Well.. It's too late now since the clip is glassed on .. It's too late on this fiero(SmootGT), maybe the next one!

I wanna chop the top of my red 88, sept its kinda pricy!

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FOR SALE!

Even though I no longer own an Archie Chop Top, I feel like I can chime in here
Owning the GBCT meant attention EVERYWHERE I went. I always had fantastic comments, and would always have to spend extra time at gas stations answering questions. The addition of the LT-1 made the car live up to its looks, and would easily toast cars that cost 2 and 3x as much. I still regret selling it, but DL10 has done a great job in adding additional modifications.
I personally liked the sunroof which gave a little more head room...even more when it was raised. As far as vidibility, RAISE the spolier like the GBCT has and you can see UNDER the spoiler. The GBCT had better rearview because of this than my 88GT.

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quote Originally posted by Falcon Fiero: Even though I no longer own an Archie Chop Top, I feel like I can chime in here Owning the GBCT meant attention EVERYWHERE I went. I always had fantastic comments, and would always have to spend extra time at gas stations answering questions. The addition of the LT-1 made the car live up to its looks, and would easily toast cars that cost 2 and 3x as much. I still regret selling it, but DL10 has done a great job in adding additional modifications. I personally liked the sunroof which gave a little more head room...even more when it was raised. As far as vidibility, RAISE the spolier like the GBCT has and you can see UNDER the spoiler. The GBCT had better rearview because of this than my 88GT.

Why did you sell GBCT? If I had it I would be attached for life I am afraid.

--Will

quote Originally posted by tjfennel: How about the build quality, though? I think the quality of the build is the thing I'm most worried about. I've heard this and that about Archie's work being sloppy here and there, so of course the best way to get accurate opinions would be to ask the customer base.

well on the LT1 stinger people have said it looks a little rough around where he chopped it but only because the car was done in something like 22days for a show. A little more time in paint prep and it would have been fine

You know what? I asked Archie and nobody has ever chopped a red Fiero. Which is odd because in every year there were more red Fieros sold than any other color

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--Adam--
IM AOL: FieroGT5speed
"Your dog certainly has a surpised look on his face"
"that because your looking at his butt"
"Oh...well then hes certainly not going to like that treat i just fed him"

quote Originally posted by Will-Martin: Why did you sell GBCT? If I had it I would be attached for life I am afraid. --Will

Just moved on to something else.....

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quote Originally posted by GTFiero1: You know what? I asked Archie and nobody has ever chopped a red Fiero.

I always wanted to be the first Red Choptop, but I put t-tops in my red Fiero, so now unless I paint one of the others red it won't be me

This may be a little off topic, but since we're talking about chop-tops here...

What are the possibilities of a T-top chop top?

I've come to doubt that this would even be possible after reading most of the info that Archie has on his site and looking at pics of chops... Does the top panel of the car get cut enough to not allow t-tops?

Thanks

-Doc

Edit: I posted this just before seeing Tabs31's thread. Sorry for the redundance here....

[This message has been edited by DrCreep (edited 09-02-2003).]

Hey I'm next, hee,hee. Not exactly red but, its Burgundy. I will change the color later. What's the price for a choptop? At Archie's site he list(s) the prices so it depends on what you want (I think the prices have changed towards the up side). I got the strip-down version...no paint, just primer and ready for paint.
How is the workmanship? 100%. However the lexan glass does take time for it to mold or form itself to the new shape. My driver side took 2-3 months while the other side fit perfectly. He stated that it sometimes takes a few up and down motions (window)for it to grove itself in.
He claims that the roof is reinforced and is stronger than original..and I dont plan on testing this hypothisis. Also the b-piller speakers are removed....no problem I use a sub. It rained once realy hard and there was no water geting into the car, at high speed...80+ there is a slight whisling. Is it a problem? Maybe if you like talking to yourself or that your lisening for cops sirens at those speeds, anyway my music is always cranked way-up.

So if your going to get a choptop and drive it there, do it now while the airlines are in a summer jam=better deal.

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The roof takes a lot of the stress to keep the body from drooping in the middle and the doors working properly. If its done right, the seams will maybe hold up OK, but id guess its more of when not will. The only way to really do it right and never have a problem, is to reinforce the body like you would do for a convertible or targa top. Just having a couple of 3 or 4 inch fiberglass strips take 1000 pnds of pressure is asking a little to much to me. I may be wrong, Ive never really looked close at a chop top Fiero. I do know that people who 'have' filled in the roof seam, had it crack back out pretty quickly.

quote Originally posted by GTFiero1: well on the LT1 stinger people have said it looks a little rough around where he chopped it but only because the car was done in something like 22days for a show. A little more time in paint prep and it would have been fine You know what? I asked Archie and nobody has ever chopped a red Fiero. Which is odd because in every year there were more red Fieros sold than any other color

Actually, there is a guy here on the forum somewhere who did that 6 inch chop himself. I think that was red.
Matt

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Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I understand on a chop top Fiero that the door windows are replaced with lexan. The windows scratch easily and you cannot close the doors with the windows up and putting the windows up with the doors closed is a trick. I know I did see scratches on the Stinger at Carlisle only a few weeks after the car was completed. That would be a drawback I would have a hard time living with but they sure look cool.

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Red 88 GT T-Top 3800 INTERCOOLED SUPERCHARGED
White 88 GT Stock
Please give me a rating if you appreciate my contribution.
History of Skitimes Car UPDATED 8-11-03

[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 09-02-2003).]

Most auto glass companys can cut down the stock window if you give them a pattern. Ive had them done, even mirrors made to fit.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Most auto glass companys can cut down the stock window if you give them a pattern. Ive had them done, even mirrors made to fit.

Not to take this thead in another direction but Roger have you had tempered glass like the door windows or just windshield safety glass. I never heard of anyone cutting tempered glass. It just shatters. Safety glass can easily be cut but not tempered. Remember I went down this road with my removeable rear window. Nobody in my area could or would cut tempered glass so I had custom one made.

[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 09-02-2003).]

Interesting points brought up here... especially the body integrity and lexan windows.

My Fiero as it is has scratches on both door windows, from what, I'm not sure. However, when I did the dew wipe replacement, I did see parts that seemed like they were to blame inside the door, and if they can scratch glass this easily, I'm sure the lexan windows will look the same after only a little while on the car... no possibilities of glass windows being specially made for this prodedure?

I'm worried now about the crack thing, though...

Thing is, if I ever have this done, I wouldn't want it to be something that affects the integrity of the car's structure. If it's gonna crack or what have you, I'd rather go function over appearance. Having a nice car is one thing, having a nice car that holds together is another, ya know?

I really like the way it looks though (a LOT), and I'm seriously considering it. I'm thinking it over real hard, though, since it's a lot of money.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: The roof takes a lot of the stress to keep the body from drooping in the middle and the doors working properly. If its done right, the seams will maybe hold up OK, but id guess its more of when not will. .

I have to dis-agree... none of the Fiero body panels are structural, so the body panels are not under any stress.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: The only way to really do it right and never have a problem, is to reinforce the body like you would do for a convertible or targa top. Just having a couple of 3 or 4 inch fiberglass strips take 1000 pnds of pressure is asking a little to much to me. .

It occurs to me that you must be thinking that we are chopping the original Fiero chassis roof framing off then fabbing up a new (chopped) Fiero greenhouse. That's not the case ..... We are chopping all of the original Fiero framework then welding it at all the cut points. In actuality Underneath those 3 or 4 inch fiberglass strips is all of the original Fiero frame work.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: I do know that people who 'have' filled in the roof seam, had it crack back out pretty quickly.

They should have used random fiberglass mat & resin and that wouldn't happen. You can't just fill a slot like that with bondo and expect it to not crack.

Hope this helps

Archie

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The LT1 Stinger Build Thread

my windows roll up automatically when i arm the alarm. a simple relay could do the same thing hooked up a wireless switch. just need to find a way to get the window to stop rolling up when it's all the way up.

Well so far my experience with my choptop has been good, it sure does atract attention. I was followed to work and to home on seperate incidents on the same day by other Fiero owners wondering what was done to it And from what I can feel in the ride of the car it is very solid in fact more than it was stock, I dont get the creaking creak sound in the the roof line and side pillars pulling in to my driveway like I used to get with my other Fieros. The Lexan side windows do seal up ok but it does take a bit of help when rolling them up by just pushing the window outward a bit while they are going up and they fit with no problem. I not too concerned about the lil hazy scratches since when the car is used the windows are down anyway (Fair weather only ) and those do buff out with a buffing wheel and polishing compound. I took a few close up shots of the fit of the roof pieces/rear clip Im impressed with the fit and straightness , looks very OEM.

quote Originally posted by GMGW3:

Nice paint job you have there, Who did it for you?

Archie

About the scratches on the windows: that makes sense. I guess even if rocks or something found their way between the dew wipes and the window you'd get scratches, too.

Ok, the window seating is now answered, and I guess the questions about the stress on the panels has been answered, too, but what about the frame itself? I was skimming as I read, so I assumed Roger was talking about the chassis, but it seems that wasn't the case.

So, some questions for Archie:
1: Is the roof really stronger?
2: What's removed?
3: Can you show us some pictures of the welded frame minus the body panels?

Then one for Matt (fiero go fast):
How on earth did the guy do a 6 inch chop? I went in my car and estimated how low 3 inches would be, and that nearly touched my head... 6 inches would make me have a permanent slouch, methinks.

quote Originally posted by tjfennel: So, some questions for Archie: ... 3: Can you show us some pictures of the welded frame minus the body panels?

Yes Archie, I would like you to post step-by-step instructions for how to chop top a Fiero, with illustrated drawings including the dotted lines for where to cut and weld...j/k

I think it would hurt your business just a bit if you were to give away all your secrets on a public forum.

hey archie can glass door windows be made?

I think Jscott is onto something....

Jeez there's enough info on the site that anyone actually capable of doing such a task could. Heck if you get a scratch that you cannot buff out or just are scared of plastic windows just mail them off to a glass company and have some made. Why ask about every little detail. If you want it done do it. The look pays for it's self! I personally love it! I know a few body Techs and they may be capable of doing it since I cannot afford Archie's price. It's a little high to me but it's probibly required to help keep it's originality and work load to a more managable level. If you're scared of your frame flexing Stiffen it Heck get in touch with DKOV and have him make some Carbon Fiber body supports. Scared of cracking? I bet Archie has had that feeling before. I know when I have such feeling I goto extremes to ensure that it doesn't happen.

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quote Originally posted by Jays 86: hey archie can glass door windows be made?

I went to EVERY custom car shop in San Antonio when I owned the GBCT and only one said it *possibly* could be done, but it would cost HUGE bucks for tooling and testing as the windows are curved. Best price guess was over $2k AND they would not guarantee that they would not bust when you closed the door. The owner I talked to (had a $100k car he built in his show room) said that Archie did the best and most practical thing that could be done.
After that, I decided that if the windows ever got too scratched up, I'd have Archie make some more. They actually fit very well, and didn't scratch very much in the two years that I owned it. I would roll the windows up and down frequently too....using an automatic hand held remote.

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