I've been obsessed with Vettes since I was little. I bought a 2002 Electron Blue Coupe w custom paint a couple years ago because I fell for the paint job (in person, pictures don't capture it). The interior is black / light oak. Since day one, I've always wanted to switch it to a mostly black interior with blue highlights. I think I have all the pieces and plan on starting the switch over in the next couple weeks.

Here's where I need informed opinions. I am a turbine engine mechanic so I'm no stranger to using tools. However; I have never dealt with a vehicle's interior. My husband (also not a stranger to tools) is convinced I should take all the bits I've collected a shop to complete the install. It would actually be multiple shops since among other things, I'm also upgrading the stereo head unit to a touch screen and adding back up / forward cameras. The electrical part of this project will be done by a shop since I don't know anything about electronics.

I think I could remove the light oak carpet and all light oak plastic bits (lower half of the interior), including seats and inner door panels, and install an insulation kit and reinstall black carpet and plastic bits myself. I know this requires the seats, center console and a bit more to be removed, which honestly doesn't seem that hard to me.

Are there any tricks to removing / installing the carpet that warrants me paying someone else to do it, or do you think it's something I can do myself?

Bottom line is I want to be completely happy with the end result and don't mind paying for labor if I need to, but I'd honestly like to do some of it myself. While my Vette is stored inside, it is not a large area, so most of this project would be completed outdoors when the weather is nice. I appreciate any advice

 

First order of business would be to obtain the factory assembly manuals, but changing it all out is just in the doing...great time to run a sound-deadener/heat barrier.

 

I already have the manuals

 

Your post did not indicate the area you live in. I have the oak interior here in the south and wouldn't have any other color. Black interior is HOT. I also need to say
BLACK INTERIOR IS HOT!!!!
and not in a good way (no matter where you live except perhaps Canada). Good luck!

 

True...that's one of the reasons I haven't switched it over until now. The light oak doesn't look bad at all, I just think black would look better. All of our other vehicles over the years have had black interior. I know it's warmer, but it looks so nice! I wish I could install vented seats!

 

For much of the interior pieces, take a look at the installation instructions on the Vette Essentials web site. There you will find step by step guidance for a lot of the interior. The carpet is not included, but I think you could figure that out just by looking at it once some of the interior stuff is out of the way (like the seats, center console, etc.).

 

You will be fine. I pulled the whole interior out a summer ago, put new sound deadening, recovered the seats, dyed the lower panels, and I'm no mechanic or engineering student.

If you're a turbine engine mechanic, I would be highly surprised if you have any issue. Especially with all the write ups floating around. This is way simpler.

 

IMO if you want a cool interior get cloth instead of leather. My wife's black fabric interior ('14 Rogue) and our '10 Grand Caravan (black fabric) are nicer in summer than my black leather seats (we both actually prefer cloth, I'd love to switch to some aftermarket cloth seats one day).
I always put a window shade in at work, and my windows are tinted, so it stays pretty OK (yes I'm in Canada, but we'll hit 95, sometimes over 100).
OP, you should be fine. Take your time, ask when you hit a wall, and definitely post pictures! I'm curious...

 

I live in SW Florida and the black interior is fine, I think if you take your time and use the manuals plus any online aids you will be fine. Good luck.

 

I am a professional artist but also quite familiar with tools, since I built my own street rod. I have done all interior mods myself including the electrical stuff. I installed a double-din radio with rear camera. This weekend I will be installing a front camera too. If you are a turbine mechanic I feel you could certainly proceed with doing the entire installation yourself. I learned to use tools by trial and error over the years and became adept through experience. I would forge ahead with the entire job. The satisfaction is worth it.

 

Hot in Canada too. Only cool visually.

 

Too late for cloth, I already have new leather from Vette Essentials I'll definitely take pictures: before, during and after.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I'd love to climb into my Vette knowing I accomplished the mods, but I also want it done correctly.

How hard was the double din install? I'm still trying to decide on which radio to upgrade to.

 

First I like to say I have black interior and they invented AC so it's not a problem. Now about working with intreior on c5 I was like u thought it was going to be difficult and it was very easy to take down .. I removed panels and seats the carpet comes up in sections .. without the console I was able to wire my surround cameras dvr system into my fablous c5. I added tracking device and even solar panel to trickle my battery with all the security systems. Phyton alarm to top it off. New Yorkers are avid about security.. I have many projects for my c5 and I have upgraded it slowly and get too many request if I am selling her ! Nope!! Thank you... Enjoy your project it's fun and rewarding see the fine machine.

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I run a black leather interior in Arizona, you'll be fine...

 

C5 is an easy interior to swap out. I have done it multiple times and have also done a complete sound system upgrade with no issues and I'm just a mechanical engineer. As a turbine engine mechanic, you should breeze through it all with no problem.

Oh, and black interiors rock - both my C5 and daily driver C7 are all black interiors.