Floor insulation Kits
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Floor insulation Kits
I am considering installing one of the insulation kits on the floor of my '82 that fits under the carpets that you see in the catalogues.
Couple of questions........
Has anyone installed the insulation kit?
was it worth it....Does it make a difference?
Is it a difficult thing to install?
Thanks..... :smash:
Couple of questions........
Has anyone installed the insulation kit?
was it worth it....Does it make a difference?
Is it a difficult thing to install?
Thanks..... :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
I have some stuff I got from JC Whitney and am in the process of installing it and ther carpet now. So far no problems. Just putting it on the firewall area, foot area and under the seats, not behind the driver
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: Floor insulation Kits (Paul 75 L82)
I just spray glued down the heat barrier. Layed the carpet on top of it(what I did so far) Believe it or not a lot of heat comes through that firewall. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
I bought & installed a kit from Zip. I don't think I can tell the difference in heat, but, black on black, without air is pretty hot so that may be why. Also, I can't really say that the kit is worth the price. If I was to do it over again (and I would just to know it's there), I would probably buy a sheet of insulation and fit it myself.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
I installed a product called "Refectix" under my entire interior and on the outside of the firewall. 50 ft. roll was $40.00. It is basically 1/4" plastic bubble wrap with foil on both sides. Got it at ACE hardware. I understand the down side is it will compress under pressure (like your heel area by the throttle pedal), but I'm not seeing it yet. It cut my heat in half, at least. Plus, it's waterproof. I used 3M spray adhesive to glue it down.
Hans
Hans
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
I bought a kit from here. http://www.1aauto.com/ and was pleased.
Wasn't expensive, fit well, and definantly made a differance. With that and a manual hot water shut off valve, the car is quite driveable now in the warmer weather. (not great, no a.c) but a helluva lot better.
Wasn't expensive, fit well, and definantly made a differance. With that and a manual hot water shut off valve, the car is quite driveable now in the warmer weather. (not great, no a.c) but a helluva lot better.
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 1
From: Traveling the US
Re: Floor insulation Kits (Jon69L46)
Now for a completely different opinion: I bought a kit from Mid America, Ecklers AND Zip. All were total crap. Too much heat with dual exhaust. Probably would be even with 2-1-2.
The problem is that these pre-cut sections only cover about 60% of the floor area, and leave out the most important parts. GET A ROLL AND CUT YOURSELF!!!! It was a night and day difference.
The problem is that these pre-cut sections only cover about 60% of the floor area, and leave out the most important parts. GET A ROLL AND CUT YOURSELF!!!! It was a night and day difference.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Floor insulation Kits (Chris@VetteFinders)
Now for a completely different opinion: I bought a kit from Mid America, Ecklers AND Zip. All were total crap. Too much heat with dual exhaust. Probably would be even with 2-1-2.
The problem is that these pre-cut sections only cover about 60% of the floor area, and leave out the most important parts. GET A ROLL AND CUT YOURSELF!!!! It was a night and day difference.
The problem is that these pre-cut sections only cover about 60% of the floor area, and leave out the most important parts. GET A ROLL AND CUT YOURSELF!!!! It was a night and day difference.
You the man! Thats precisely why I went to Pep Boys and bought two rolls of their foil backed insulation for $40 and covered 100% of my interior floor (incl. firewall, trans tunnel, behind seats, rear compartment floor & wheelwells). I sealed all the seams with metal tape so I have basically a single blanket of insulation throughout the car. Its reduced the cockpit temp and really almost eliminated road & exhaust noise. The kits are TOO EXPENSIVE and only do half the job.
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 12:29 AM 3/13/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland WA
Re: Floor insulation Kits (mdsmith)
Installed the pre-cut kit from Gary Gruhala when I re-did my carpet. I wasn't happy with it at all. (Gary, of course, is great!).
If I had to do it over again I would get a big roll of Dynamat or something similar and do it myself. Don't spend the money.
If I had to do it over again I would get a big roll of Dynamat or something similar and do it myself. Don't spend the money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
I originally installed a heat barrier kit when I replaced the carpets in my 74 about 12 years ago. i saw no difference between the kit and no kit. About a year ago I decided to get serious and insulated the cockpit with a product called "The Insulator". I got it from Jegs. If you want to see the results go to this address
http://users.snip.net/~vettfixr/page14.htm
It's not an easy job but the results were worth it. The full insulation cuts down on a lot of the body boom and resonance from the exhaust and keeps the interior a lot cooler.
http://users.snip.net/~vettfixr/page14.htm
It's not an easy job but the results were worth it. The full insulation cuts down on a lot of the body boom and resonance from the exhaust and keeps the interior a lot cooler.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
Save yourself a few $$. Go to Home Depot and you can buy that stuff on a roll. 4 ft. by 20ft for about 20 to 25 dollars. when you take your old carpet out use it as a pattern fro the insulation. I did this on mine, and it worked out very well. The insulation that I got, was the aluminum foil and bubble type use for heating duct insulation.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
Installed "Reflectix" (sp) from Home Depot two years ago. The bubbles are still there and I've had people comment on how cool and quiet my vette is on the inside.
Two other things you should consider are:
1) Cover the A/C box in the engine compartment. Notice how close the exhaust manifold is. The foil will reflect and block a major source of radiated heat from the engine that gets in the cabin. My Reflectix is as good as new in this area. It doesn't seem to mind the heat.
2) Make sure the hood seals tightly at the cowl. If it doesn't, engine compartment heat will flow directly into the cabin air intake.
3) Do the storage compartment also. This is where the sound insulation works well.
Some people have noted the bubbles are noisy when they are stepped on. They are right, but I don't spend alot of time walking around inside my cabin.
And, as some have noted, take your tops off, roll the windows down and drive fast.
Two other things you should consider are:
1) Cover the A/C box in the engine compartment. Notice how close the exhaust manifold is. The foil will reflect and block a major source of radiated heat from the engine that gets in the cabin. My Reflectix is as good as new in this area. It doesn't seem to mind the heat.
2) Make sure the hood seals tightly at the cowl. If it doesn't, engine compartment heat will flow directly into the cabin air intake.
3) Do the storage compartment also. This is where the sound insulation works well.
Some people have noted the bubbles are noisy when they are stepped on. They are right, but I don't spend alot of time walking around inside my cabin.
And, as some have noted, take your tops off, roll the windows down and drive fast.
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 1
From: Traveling the US
Re: Floor insulation Kits (Todbo)
Todbo, inside the cabin. Get way up under the dash near where the steering column goes through the firewall.
Glad to see that I am not to only one who found out the hard way. The kits all basically don't do the job. Here is a pic of my job (before I put in the front pieces)
Glad to see that I am not to only one who found out the hard way. The kits all basically don't do the job. Here is a pic of my job (before I put in the front pieces)
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Floor insulation Kits (Todbo)
Sounds like we're all on the same page here. Mine looked just like vettefxr's when I was done. Todbo, I put the stuff on both sides of the firewall, because I couldn't get up high enough on the inside.
I might also mention, the Reflectix is VERY light! I am on a mission to reduce the overall weight of my vette (power to weight ratio is king!) and I'm down to 3160 pounds with the spare in, but no A/C compressor.
Also, be sure and put a foam "collar" over the bellhousing to seal off the tunnel. I again passed on the "proper" part available from ZIP, etc. and bough a 2x2 length at ACE. When it gets grungy, I just toss it and wedge in a new one!
Hans
I might also mention, the Reflectix is VERY light! I am on a mission to reduce the overall weight of my vette (power to weight ratio is king!) and I'm down to 3160 pounds with the spare in, but no A/C compressor.
Also, be sure and put a foam "collar" over the bellhousing to seal off the tunnel. I again passed on the "proper" part available from ZIP, etc. and bough a 2x2 length at ACE. When it gets grungy, I just toss it and wedge in a new one!
Hans
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Floor insulation Kits (Wrencher)
Also, be sure and put a foam "collar" over the bellhousing to seal off the tunnel. Hans
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Floor insulation Kits (Silvr77)
It prevents heated air (from the engine, radiator, headers,etc.) from flowing through the tunnel area. this is aggrevated if you have an automatic trans; they generate a lot of heat all by themselves! It helped on mine...
Hans
Hans
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Floor insulation Kits (parklawn)
Pretty well covered. Youy can buy the kits or buy the insulated barrier wrap from a Home Depot, Ace etc. Need to take out the seats and the carpet. Don't bother with the console as you can press it under it. Run it up the inside of the fire wall. Use the 3M Spray Glue to tack it down anywher it comes in contact with the floor.
Does it help - I have 73 BBC and it easily dropped the cabin temp 15 degrees along with some sound insulation. If you couple this with the transmission insulation that fits between the trans the floor, it is much more pleasant on a hot day.
Does it help - I have 73 BBC and it easily dropped the cabin temp 15 degrees along with some sound insulation. If you couple this with the transmission insulation that fits between the trans the floor, it is much more pleasant on a hot day.