2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Are Convertable doors and Coupe doors the same size

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Old 02-22-11 | 08:08 PM
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Are Convertable doors and Coupe doors the same size

Just a random "hmm".(thought).
I was looking at the vert door and thought they would be kind of cool if you could have them on a Coupe.
Reason being that they have a small window at the front and would block air when you had the "other" window down.
Thanks Guys.STYX.
Old 02-22-11 | 08:19 PM
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Meh, that would look so 1980's...


Wait, nevermind.
Old 02-22-11 | 09:17 PM
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except that the upper door area on the coupe would not be sealed and look retarded, if it even fit that is
Old 02-22-11 | 10:45 PM
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No.
Old 02-23-11 | 12:04 AM
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the vert window is frameless
Old 02-23-11 | 01:49 AM
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Im not sure about size difference but if you added a thick black seal like the Impreza GC8s it could be done.
Old 02-23-11 | 03:47 AM
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Panels, window regulator and stuff are different size. So im guessing the doors arnt going to be bolt on fit, without any modification.
Old 02-23-11 | 11:38 AM
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Lots of hearsay in this this thread........ask someone who knows first hand.....like me!

Coupe and convertible door shells are the EXACT same size. You can bolt one style door onto the other style body and it will line up perfectly. Interior panels are interchangable (with the exception of speaker placement).
HOWEVER.....The trailing edge of the door glass is cut at different angles and will not line up with the disimilar body.

Dave....Besides having to get crafty with sealing the glass to the body, you would have to have custom glass made to the correct shape.
Last estimate I got (about 4 years ago) put the pair of custom, tempered glass windows in the $1500 range.


Here are a few pics I took while doing the exact opposite of what you ponder......modifing coupe doors for my vert....

Upper window frame removed, belt line filled


My buddy Chris doing his thing


Mocked up


Sectioning the trailing edge


Grafting in the piece from the vert door


Quick test fit of the weather strip
Old 02-23-11 | 11:47 AM
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^^seems TOTALLY worth the trouble
Old 02-23-11 | 12:04 PM
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From: Jamesport, NY..."Movin' on up, to the east side!"
Yeah, well.....
My car came with trashed doors, and I was adamant about eliminating the triangle windows while doing the body work. After some investigation, I deceided it was easier then altering the guts in a convertible door.

By the way......I didn't shell out the cash for custom windows. That's why I'm attempting to build a removable hard top instead. Can ya tell I like a challange?
Old 02-23-11 | 01:04 PM
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my opinion is that the triangle window buffers some wind
Old 02-23-11 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Rob XX 7
my opinion is that the triangle window buffers some wind
Probably, but if you wanted protection from the wind, wouldn't you have the windows up? I don't drive my vert on the highway with the windows down. I like the cleaner look of coupe sized windows...but as you said, quite the effort.
Old 02-23-11 | 08:10 PM
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The triangle drives me NUTS! would be a sweet mod.
Old 02-23-11 | 08:36 PM
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the bar that separates the two pieces of glass also act as a support for the windshield?

HA!! correct me if I'm wrong...on the interwebz....
Old 02-23-11 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by JustJeff
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the bar that separates the two pieces of glass also act as a support for the windshield?

HA!! correct me if I'm wrong...on the interwebz....
IDK I think converting a coupe to a vert in the 80's was a lot different than it is today - chop & cut vs re-engineer?? just a thought. As much as I really like the looks of the vert, seems like they just chopped the roof off and made the rest work IMO.
Old 02-23-11 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by JustJeff
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the bar that separates the two pieces of glass also act as a support for the windshield?

HA!! correct me if I'm wrong...on the interwebz....
No, its a flimsy piece with just enough strength to hold the weatherstripping and little window in.
Old 02-23-11 | 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by AmT_T
IDK I think converting a coupe to a vert in the 80's was a lot different than it is today - chop & cut vs re-engineer?? just a thought. As much as I really like the looks of the vert, seems like they just chopped the roof off and made the rest work IMO.
Yes, you're wrong about this. A lot of design work and planning went into converting the FC coupe into the 'Vert. Check out one of the very good books on the RX-7 to read all the details. I like the ones by John Matras and Brian Long. There was a lot of aerodynamic testing, Mazda essentially invented the concept of the "Windblocker" for the 'Vert, a good deal of structural bracing was added, etc. Definitely not a quick chop and cut.
Old 02-24-11 | 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by lov-2-rev
Coupe and convertible door shells are the EXACT same size. You can bolt one style door onto the other style body and it will line up perfectly. Interior panels are interchangable (with the exception of speaker placement).
HOWEVER.....The trailing edge of the door glass is cut at different angles and will not line up with the disimilar body.
Why can't the glass be swapped?
Edit: Nevermind, I know why.
Old 02-24-11 | 06:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Flash
Probably, but if you wanted protection from the wind, wouldn't you have the windows up? I don't drive my vert on the highway with the windows down. I like the cleaner look of coupe sized windows...but as you said, quite the effort.


I always have the windows down, the top is up windows up or the top is down windows down
I have been in many convertibles and this is one of the best as far as wind buffering goes.

Its one thing to be in a convertible its another to have the wind just whipping all around you, even with the top up it is a fairly quiet car for what it is
Old 02-24-11 | 12:29 PM
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I agree Rob. The triangle windows do offer some protection from wind buffering. That is the reason Mazda designed them the way they did.
However from an aesthetic stand point, I feel the car looks better without them. That's why I did what I did.
Old 02-24-11 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by lov-2-rev
I agree Rob. The triangle windows do offer some protection from wind buffering. That is the reason Mazda designed them the way they did.
However from an aesthetic stand point, I feel the car looks better without them. That's why I did what I did.
I'm sure it does offer something, but somehow I doubt the guy in the F-430 driving beside me last summer was thinking "damn, I need to get me some some wind blocking triangles." I'm not saying I'm going to do it, but I'm not saying I'm not, lol...
Old 02-27-11 | 07:59 PM
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About an hour after I posted this I remembered that the Vert doors were frameless.(Crap!)
Ah well,now I can spend money elsewhere..
Thanks alot Guys.I appreciate the Info and suggestions..Very appreciated on this End.
Cheers Dave/STYX!~
Old 02-28-11 | 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Flash
I'm sure it does offer something, but somehow I doubt the guy in the F-430 driving beside me last summer was thinking "damn, I need to get me some some wind blocking triangles." I'm not saying I'm going to do it, but I'm not saying I'm not, lol...

we are a stain in the underwear of a F430, I dont think they care what kind of windows we have
Old 02-28-11 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Rob XX 7
we are a stain in the underwear of a F430, I dont think they care what kind of windows we have
Yes, I doubt the Ferrari driver paid any attention at all to the Mazda.
At most, he thought, "Oh look...another chicane".
Old 02-28-11 | 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by clokker
Yes, I doubt the Ferrari driver paid any attention at all to the Mazda.
At most, he thought, "Oh look...another chicane".
and the Mazda owner said..HMM..only 10k left in my Bank account..will it RUN after that???



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