Firewall Insulation
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 17
From: South Shore Massachusetts
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
I started by laying down Dynamat Extreme. Next had planned on installing the original reproduction style insulation over top of the Dynamat that I ordered from one of the vendors, but it was so poorly made that I returned it for a refund. In its place I took the suggestion of others and purchased a few rolls of Reflectix (Lowe's or Home Depot) and glued it to the top of the Dynamat. Lastly because I have a case of OCD, I also installed 1/4" Dynamat Dynaliner in select places where it would fit and not interfere with installing parts to the firewall. Can't say what kind of improvement it has made since not finished with restoration yet. Makes me feel better about it at least. Lol. Well, hope this helps some?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,147
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
I used the insulation from Lowes in my 85. I used 3M adhesive - spray to tack it.
The insulation made a huge difference in the car for both sound and heat.
I did like the low cost..
There was an article a few years back where they did a C2 with the Lowes insulation and the results were very good for the cost.
Just one thing to keep in the back of your mind - the covering on most of these products conducts - no poor wire insulation or joints... or bad things happen.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Feb 26, 2017 at 10:12 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 9
When the car was completely disassembled, I lined the firewall with Dynamat Extreme and then ½ in and ¼ in Dynamat Dynaliner. I also used on the underside of the transmission tunnel and the lower portion of the exterior of the fire wall DEI floor and tunnel shield. What a amazing difference it made to the car both in the way it sounds, feels and most importantly the heat. My car is 385HP at the wheels big cam, low gears no over drive and headers. On the last cross country road trip without the insulation the carpet melted next to the accelerator pedal. Now I don’t feel any heat coming threw the floor or fire wall. Most of the sound while in the car now also comes from the exhaust in the rear and not from the headers.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 20
From: Boca Raton Florida
Is anyone using lizard skin? I jusy Took out my dash to upgrade my AC, and the original insulation is well original and outdated. The cheapest I found For replacement was like $180z but is it better to use a dynamat or new type of insulation?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 211
Likes: 15
Lizard Skins VS ???
Hi Johnnypegs,
I've not used Lizard Skin products but from what I can see online, it may be a better fit for more uniform insulating parameters. I used the plastic molded crap and wish I hadn't because it does not fit tight and causes gaps between carpet and body which affects the distance between right side gas pedal and Tranny tunnel--so if you have big feet, you have to use your Toe to press the bottom of the pedal!
In a word, yes, if the decibels are reduced to better than stock then install it.
Dougtov
I've not used Lizard Skin products but from what I can see online, it may be a better fit for more uniform insulating parameters. I used the plastic molded crap and wish I hadn't because it does not fit tight and causes gaps between carpet and body which affects the distance between right side gas pedal and Tranny tunnel--so if you have big feet, you have to use your Toe to press the bottom of the pedal!
In a word, yes, if the decibels are reduced to better than stock then install it.
Dougtov
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,371
Likes: 6,365
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
However, the biggest improvement to keep heat out of the car was the complete rebuild I did on the heater box. All the seals and foam in the heater box were shot, and most of the heat getting into the passenger compartment came from leaking seals and gaskets in the heater box. Fixing the heater box and rebuilding it was the single biggest improvement in controlling heat into the car.
Inside of the car coated with black "LizardSkin" - new stock firewall insulation can be seen prior to dash installation:
One of the nice things about the LizardSkin is that its much thinner than the thick insulating pads, which allows the carpeting to be installed very easily without any fitment problems due to thick insulation:
Lars
Last edited by lars; Feb 10, 2018 at 06:31 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I use the Dynamat Extreme and then the DynaPad.
I have done many so it isn't that big of a deal but it does take much longer than spraying a product on.
I have customers with it their car..and one of them is a forum member and if you need to communicate with him on how well the Dynamat products work in the heat of the summer...I am sure he will fill you in.
AS he tells people...in the dead of summer....with the A/C on..."he can sell ice cream out of his car." And obviously it is also very quiet.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Feb 10, 2018 at 06:44 PM.
