Chris,
give these people a call they have set up many Vette owner's
http://www.secondskinaudio.com/

Martin

 

Nice pics and write up.

 

Just go on a diet along with your partner and you can offset the 40 lb weight gain.
mrgil

 

Finally got a chance to ride for a while today. Yes there is a big reduction in the heat from the trans tunnel.

 

I'm thinking about putting a wrap around the pipes from the bell housing back. If I do it, it'll be a write up. Sound doesn't bother me. I use earplugs on long trips.

 

Awesome...that's what I need to do then. Thanks!

 

I have this kit and I am planning to install it later this winter as part of a larger interior project that includes new leather, DD console, NAV and rocking seat fix. So far, one of the best ideas a forum vendor had was to install some Dynamat sections over roughly 10-12 "hot spots" in terms of noise and then install this kit over it. It helps reduce the high noise areas while providing heat shield over the tunnel etc.

My expectations are not to have my C5 vert feel and sound like a Lexus sedan, rather a reduction in road noise especially from the back rear wheel wells and trunk area. Adding the new stereo/speakers should also help improve overall sound quality.

Since I drive top down 80% of the time, it doesn't have to be completely quiet, just better and less harsh. Per the research I have done, I might also add a special noise layer barrier in the doors to match up with the new speakers I install.

 

The final verdict. It took me about seven hour to complete. I went for a ride after finishing the job. Riding around town on city streets there's a noticable drop in the noise level. Driving on the highway was a bit disapointing. The noise level wasn't that much differant from before.
In my opinion it really wasn't worth my money, time ,and effort.[/QUOTE]

I went with Second Skin also. I removed everything and added a layer of Damplifier Pro followed by a layer of Luxury Liner Pro. Total cost was about $750.

Areas covered:

Behind Seats - Floor (including all compartments), fender wells (including behind speakers), body sides, and body back.
Seat Area - Floor, vertical wall behind seats, entire tunnel, small area of firewall (driver's side), and door runners.

The end result was a big reduction in road noise and a more slid feel in the vehicle when driving over road irregularities.

Note: I tested the application near the end of the installation and noticed that substantial sound was still coming from behind the speakers. So I removed the speakers and added LLP there. That installation was not fun at all.

Besides the cost, the down side was that I added 130 pounds to the vehicle. As note above, the vehicle has a more solid feel to it now so, because it is my daily driver and not a racer, I am OK with the added weight.

Cheers.

 

As shown in a previous post, I installed material from Second Skin and obtained good sound deadening results. However, I was still concerned about the heat coming from the tunnel and affecting the adhesion of the sound deadening material. So I went one step further.

As you know, the primary contributor to heat in the vehicle comes from the exhaust tubes in the tunnel.

You can install a heat barrier (like the Second Skin material) between the floor / tunnel sides and the carpet, but this adds bulk to an already space-challenged situation, and eventually the insulation material heats up and begins to radiate heat on its own.

Insulated tunnel plates help, but they only attempt to block and do not remove the heat, so they eventually heat up and begin to radiate heat on their own.

You really need some method for removing the heat mechanically.

If you take a look at where the mufflers and cat converters are located, you will see that GM has installed metal heat shields that are spaced away from the surface that they are protecting.

The air space allows for a mechanical removal of heat (as the vehicle is driven) instead of attempting to block the heat with insulation.

So, following the GM engineered model, I designed an aluminum plate to surround the exhaust tubes (on three sides) while still leaving a 3/8" air space between the plate and the tunnel sides and the tunnel closeout panel.

Designing the plate and having it fabricated was a little tricky, but there is adequate room if you measure carefully.

I took heat measurements at the base of the tunnel before and after I installed the shield and I measured a 30 degree heat reduction under medium load conditions (driving in hilly areas) and a 20 degree heat reduction when cruising (flat roads).

If you are interested in more detailed information about the design, send me a PM.

 

I went with Second Skin also. I removed everything and added a layer of Damplifier Pro followed by a layer of Luxury Liner Pro. Total cost was about $750.

Areas covered:

Behind Seats - Floor (including all compartments), fender wells (including behind speakers), body sides, and body back.
Seat Area - Floor, vertical wall behind seats, entire tunnel, small area of firewall (driver's side), and door runners.

The end result was a big reduction in road noise and a more slid feel in the vehicle when driving over road irregularities.

Note: I tested the application near the end of the installation and noticed that substantial sound was still coming from behind the speakers. So I removed the speakers and added LLP there. That installation was not fun at all.

Besides the cost, the down side was that I added 130 pounds to the vehicle. As note above, the vehicle has a more solid feel to it now so, because it is my daily driver and not a racer, I am OK with the added weight.

Cheers.[/QUOTE]

I went the same route as Dragon Daddy with Second Skin, I wasn't concerned about the 130 lbs as I am not racing my vette. I did every interior surface I could find, inc. behind speakers and the halo, what a HUGE difference and worth every penny spent to me. I can talk easily with the passenger and I can use hands free on the cell phone. The tunnel doesn't get hot. Am a dedicated Second Skin (SS) fan, it is expensive (not as outrageous priced as Dynamat). Anthony at SS has discount specials and has great advice on instal tips etc. For me it was the answer. I didn't want a luxury car quiet, just a sports car with less "boom" in the inside.... just my $0.02