kaiserbud

OK - I have my dash apart...... there is NO insulation at all! No wonder I have been unable to stand the heat in that thing....:mad :reddevil :eek:

Question: What are the stock factory insulation pieces....

Interior Firewall Insulation (3 pieces?)
Dashboard ?
Center Console Lower (Armrest)
Center Console Middle (Gear Shift)
Center Console Upper (????)
Exterior Floorboard Deflectors and Insulation.

Is there any for the kickpanels or interior floorboards. Is there any suggestion on adding additional insulation (Heat is 1st priority and Sound 2nd). I have read some posts on Heat/Sound Insulation, but wanted to cover all the stock insulations (both heat and sound) before I moved forward. Any previous post recommendations are appreciated.

:smash: :smash:



[Modified by kaiserbud, 12:34 PM 4/28/2003]

flynhi

OE insulation was basically fiberglass pads of material similar to what you probably have in your attic. Not very effective but about all they had available then.
There are many newer, more efficient insulationg materials available.
Top of the line would be koolmat - see koolmat.com.
Many CF members have used foil faced bubble insul from Home Depot or Lowes.
Be certain ALL holes are closed and replace flexible seals at clutch rod, lower shifter, etc.

kaiserbud

Thanks - are these 'other' upgrades in addition to the OEM insulation - or did they just ditch the OEM ? I would thionkk it would be good to keep the Factory insulation. ?

flynhi

I Replaced my factory with koolmat. the OE insul was poorly installed and ineffective.
Even the lower priced options are more effective.

flynhi

Exterior floorbaord deflectors are worthwhile. If you don't have them, major suppliers like Zip or Ecklers carry them.

kaiserbud

With the limited reading I have done so far, I feel that the bubble type is not the way to go. Durability is not there and once the bubbles lose air, they also lose their insulation qualities

kaiserbud

BTW - when you installed your koolmat - did you permanently plug all your drain plugs in the floorboards?

flynhi

Yes, I plugged all holes. I don't drive it in the rain.

You're right about the bubble insulation. But the bubbles are pretty hard to break. This would probably only happen where your heels rest.

bbeck

what are the price comparisons? that is also one of my next projects

kaiserbud

I guess I just have a real desire to go all the way on the heat insulation thing after being so hot all these years... Think of it - Houston Texas, Black on Black on Black car - Big Block - No A/c working... :crazy:

Anyway - as for price comparisons, I need to verify - but I am thinkjning the bubble is $60-110 and teh koolmat is $400

flynhi

You might think about a combo - use the koolmat on the firewall and tunnel - where the higher heat is. Use the less expensive bubble insul or similar elsewhere.
This might be your best value - best performance for least $.

kaiserbud

I contacted Koolmat today - she is going to send me a sample and literature. I want to take my time on these decisions. She did say that teh Koolmat material is comparable to the material used in a button-up shirt.

vettfixr

Take a look at my website to see how I did my cockpit insulation. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vettfixr/page14.htm
Also take a look at this old post of mine. I think you may find that the head isn't coming from the fiberglass but through the heating/ventilation system. When I did what's covered in this next post I solved about 90% of my heat problems. Good luck. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=362830

flynhi

Not sure what she meant by "button up shirt material". The koolmat I've used is about 3/16 thick with dense rubber on one side and woven heat resistent fiber on the other. It's considerably heavier than a shirt.
Wait for the sample.

kaiserbud

I appreciate the info - yes - she is sending the sample...

Today I went by a friends shop - they totally re-did a 69 Camaro - it is winning all the shows in the circuit here in the Houston/Texas area. Anyway - they had the back seat out and I noticed a greyish fiberfill? looking padding - maybe 1/2" thick, with a aluminum foil on one side. The aluminum had small squares pressed into it. Is this good insulatiuon or just OEM type that really has 1960's technology? Any idea? thanks

vettfixr

I think it's the type I used with the foil on only one side. I used the double sided mostly because I'm ****. :) :chevy