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I own both tops. I prefer the body color top for driving in the sun. The transparent top to use for track days as it gives a bit more helmet clearance.
Cut out a paper template, then cut out the sunscreen. Applied to our transparent top after spraying it down with a solution of water and a very small amount of soap. It took me about 30 minutes to work the creases out of the screen.
Results? Fantastic. The cockpit is more open than our FRC, but we have little or no heating beyond what a normal roof would have. Plus you can always peel it off.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Fantastic --- I plan on doing the same, I believe there is also a pre-cut one out there too. Thanks for the input!
I ordered mine with the painted roof. The transparent roof is pretty readily available from parts sellers, including some on this forum, often for less than the GM option to include both roofs. The painted roof is considerably more expensive to buy later -- so I decided to stick with that and buy the transparent at a later date.
Sorry to bump an old thread but i am looking at a 2017 c7 GS that has a transparent roof. A few youtube videos said the lexon roofs are prone to squeaking much more than the other types. Any one experience that?
The transparent roof on my 2008 squeaked all the time. So did the brakes. On my 2016, however, no squeaks with either the top nor the brakes, though I've heard others complain. So what I'm saying is that it's hit or miss I think.
As for transparent roofs (actually tinted roofs) I love 'em. I can see interesting skies and planes sometimes when at a stop light or just a quick peak while driving.
As for added heat (and I live in Phoenix, AZ!) doesn't seem to be that much of an issue for me. Sure more heat comes in but I just hit that Auto button and in a few moments it's nice and cool inside my car. Perhaps if I was that tall that my head bumped up against the top but that's not the case for me.
Sorry to bump an old thread but i am looking at a 2017 c7 GS that has a transparent roof. A few youtube videos said the lexon roofs are prone to squeaking much more than the other types. Any one experience that?
I had one on my 2015 with Z51 and mag ride and have one on the 2019 Z06 that replaced it -others have had problems, but I have never had any noise issues.
My Z51 came with a painted roof. However, I wanted the transparent roof for late fall, winter and early spring. I purchased one locally. It does squeak a tiny bit, the painted roof doesn't squeak at all. However, the additional heat generated in the hot North Carolina climate is noticeable. It's enough that the ventilated/cooled seats that almost always made riding comfortable regardless of the outside temp struggled to keep up with the additional heat. For full disclosure, I have a Kalahari interior. This was no surprise to me as I had the same situation with my C5.
If you're concerned that the additional heat generated might be a problem, you might want to look for a roof liner made for the transparent roof that blocks out the sun. I've seen them but never bought one because I will change back to the painted roof in late spring.
Sorry to bump an old thread but i am looking at a 2017 c7 GS that has a transparent roof. A few youtube videos said the lexon roofs are prone to squeaking much more than the other types. Any one experience that?
I bought a transparent roof for my '17 and it was silent. I took the same roof panel and installed it on my '19 and I'm chasing down a number of squeaks and a rattle in the rear locking lever mechanism.
Apparently a slight difference in body assembly allows movement in a different car.
My Z51 came with a painted roof. However, I wanted the transparent roof for late fall, winter and early spring. I purchased one locally. It does squeak a tiny bit, the painted roof doesn't squeak at all. However, the additional heat generated in the hot North Carolina climate is noticeable.
I use the same itinerary--trans on October 1, painted on April 1. For my taste the trans roof allows too much heat in the cockpit during summer months here in S. LA, my main concern being possible effects on the interior materials and components. I don't remove the roof panels at all in the interim, but when I swap them I apply some dielectric grease to the insulation, and that might help with squeaks for those having that issue. My trans roof doesn't squeak but does pop occasionally, not nearly enough to be a concern, but I haven't noticed this with the painted roof.
I had the clear top on my c6. I ended up getting a 2 piece panel cover for them. I love the look on the outside, but the heat on the inside was a bit much. Even with the ac on, the sun felt like it was beating on your head and just kept myself and my wife too warm during our longer road trips. I never took off the panels until I traded the car in. My C7 Z06 has a painted roof and I'm good with it after my original transparent roof experience.
Summertime heat was an issue with the transparent top and I tried using a solid shade with the suction cups to hold it in place but discovered that the cups stuck to the top like a horny octopus and its stiffness made it a headache to maneuver and store in the limited cabin space.
I found a self adhesive vinyl dot matrix shade on evilBay a couple of years ago that really cut down the heat and was far easier to remove, roll up and store. It reduces absorbed sunlight and heat but still allows some of the open air sensation I like in the clear top. The shade appears to have disappeared from eBay and I was unable to track down a replacement when a friend expressed interest.
I suggested that he find a piece of dot matrix vinyl window shade material, make a paper pattern of the interior shape and cut his own. Easy peasy.
I have the transparent top only...come with my CPO corvette. I love the top but it was not a must have and I would not pay if I was the orginal owner. But it is pretty cool to be able to look up and see the sky or the stars. I do not know of any other car that has this option so that in itself is kinda cool
They look good and it way kool to drive with a transparent lid. However, they are a bit louder and hotter. I live in NJ and I run with the transparent lid in the cooler winter months. I would suggest getting a storage bag if you have not gotten one already.
I installed the transparent roof from my Stingray on to my Z06 painted top car yesterday and the cabin noise was significantly louder. The sound waves bounce off the transparent roof. I put the suction cup roof on the inside of the transparent top and the noise was mitigated.
07-06-2017, 10:10 PM
