C6 interior insulation
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
C6 interior insulation
After about 500 miles, the one thing that bothers me most is the tire roar from these GS2's. The Corvette is supposed to be a road trip car for the missus and I, but on concrete surfaces, the noise is really irritating. I'd love to replace the tires but that would eat into my mod (and gas) money. . . I'll try and use up the tread as soon as I can!
So, I'm either looking for experiences people have had with local shops (Bellevue/Redmond preferably) installing a full interior soundproofing, either using one of the forum vendor supplied kits or custom cutting materials of their own, or possibly putting together a day- or weekend-long do-it-ourselves insulation installation party using forum vendor supplied kits.
Thanks.
So, I'm either looking for experiences people have had with local shops (Bellevue/Redmond preferably) installing a full interior soundproofing, either using one of the forum vendor supplied kits or custom cutting materials of their own, or possibly putting together a day- or weekend-long do-it-ourselves insulation installation party using forum vendor supplied kits.
Thanks.
Last edited by MisterMidlifeCrisis; Mar 17, 2011 at 01:40 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
If you really want it quite you are in for some work. The first thing to do is educate yourself. While the form kits help they will not make the car what I would call quite. Check this link out:
http://cascadeaudio.com/
This is the product I have used in my last 3 cars. It is just not all dynomat, foam or whatever. You need different material for each unique application. This is not hard to do on our cars about 3 days to do it right. And it will cost you north of $500. The other thing to remember if you do this is to get all the fasteners for the interior. They will be destroyed taking them out.
http://cascadeaudio.com/
This is the product I have used in my last 3 cars. It is just not all dynomat, foam or whatever. You need different material for each unique application. This is not hard to do on our cars about 3 days to do it right. And it will cost you north of $500. The other thing to remember if you do this is to get all the fasteners for the interior. They will be destroyed taking them out.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 1
From: Oak Harbor WA
Soundproofing
My son in law and I took my 2008 ZO6 apart and installed insulation in the floor boards, tunnel, behind the seats and the cargo deck. We used duct insulation we bought at home depot instead of dyna-mat. the duct insulation is aluminum on one side with 1/4 of adhesive foam on the other. I noticed a significant difference after we were done. Took us about 2 hrs to remove the seats, console, and all of the carpeting, and about 4 hours to install the insulation, and 1 1/2 hours to reinstall everything. All said I spent about $200.00 in materials. It's not a bad weekend job as long as you take your time, and it definitely helps to have someone to help you. Send me a PM with your email address and I'll forward what I have to you.
By the way I just changed wheels and tires to 19s on the front and 20s on the rear with Continental Direct Contact DW tires, and the sound difference was significant.
Good luck,
By the way I just changed wheels and tires to 19s on the front and 20s on the rear with Continental Direct Contact DW tires, and the sound difference was significant.
Good luck,
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
If you really want it quite you are in for some work. The first thing to do is educate yourself. While the form kits help they will not make the car what I would call quite. Check this link out:
http://cascadeaudio.com/
This is the product I have used in my last 3 cars. It is just not all dynomat, foam or whatever. You need different material for each unique application. This is not hard to do on our cars about 3 days to do it right. And it will cost you north of $500. The other thing to remember if you do this is to get all the fasteners for the interior. They will be destroyed taking them out.
http://cascadeaudio.com/
This is the product I have used in my last 3 cars. It is just not all dynomat, foam or whatever. You need different material for each unique application. This is not hard to do on our cars about 3 days to do it right. And it will cost you north of $500. The other thing to remember if you do this is to get all the fasteners for the interior. They will be destroyed taking them out.
Personally, I'm also not opposed to paying several hundred dollars (up to maybe a thousand or so) for a good shop to do this for me if the weight isn't too extreme and the results are going to be significantly better than the precut vendor kits.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
My son in law and I took my 2008 ZO6 apart and installed insulation in the floor boards, tunnel, behind the seats and the cargo deck. We used duct insulation we bought at home depot instead of dyna-mat. the duct insulation is aluminum on one side with 1/4 of adhesive foam on the other. I noticed a significant difference after we were done. Took us about 2 hrs to remove the seats, console, and all of the carpeting, and about 4 hours to install the insulation, and 1 1/2 hours to reinstall everything. All said I spent about $200.00 in materials. It's not a bad weekend job as long as you take your time, and it definitely helps to have someone to help you. Send me a PM with your email address and I'll forward what I have to you.
By the way I just changed wheels and tires to 19s on the front and 20s on the rear with Continental Direct Contact DW tires, and the sound difference was significant.
Good luck,
By the way I just changed wheels and tires to 19s on the front and 20s on the rear with Continental Direct Contact DW tires, and the sound difference was significant.
Good luck,
PM sent. Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 461
Likes: 55
From: Snoqualmie, WA
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 3
From: West Linn OR
I tore mine completely apart and used a Dynomat like material- I put 2 layers on, off setting any joints. I then bought a tunnel renforcement plate with the thermal abs option.The 2 layers did not help the console heat but the tunnel plate did.
I took a 2500 mile road trip and it did quiet it a bit but it's a convertible and still has road noise just not the heat.
I took a 2500 mile road trip and it did quiet it a bit but it's a convertible and still has road noise just not the heat.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
I'm pretty lazy but am honestly hoping to get a few folks together to do this. I think a forum vendor kit would be enough for me, and since most of the tire roar comes from the rear, I could always throw a block-it mat down on top if it still is a problem, and then live with it that way until I get new tires.
Ok, so I'll ask. Are you offering to help? I'd be more than happy to make it worth your while!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 346
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
I did it in my C5. It adds almost no weight. I mean, what does a roll of Frost King and a roll of duct tape weight anyway? 2 pounds? It made a big difference.
Then I swapped the GoodYears for Michelins and it was niiiiice and quiet.
Dynamat works better, sure , but yes it does add more weight.
Then I swapped the GoodYears for Michelins and it was niiiiice and quiet.
Dynamat works better, sure , but yes it does add more weight.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
So I was at the Home Depot today and looked at the Frost King, and it's like the regular fiberglass wall insulation with aluminum backing. I thought for some reason that it was like a dense bubble wrap with aluminum backing. Sox-Fan, what kind of Frost King did you use?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 152
From: Western WA
Wayne,
I did the area behind the seats with the Frost King like stuff from a Forum Vendor. It made about 1 db difference, so I stopped there.
Yes, I don't like the tire roar, and when I wear out the tires I will probably get a set of Michelin PS2s.
But for now it is tolerable for me. If you want a hand with tearing out the car apart, I'm sure there will be some folks willing to help. But first, take your time and talk to some knowledgeable folks. There is a Corvette gathering next Saturday, and I'd be happy to check if they can handle one (or two more). You'll be able to ask a lot of questions, and get answers.
Let me know if you're interested.
I did the area behind the seats with the Frost King like stuff from a Forum Vendor. It made about 1 db difference, so I stopped there.
Yes, I don't like the tire roar, and when I wear out the tires I will probably get a set of Michelin PS2s.
But for now it is tolerable for me. If you want a hand with tearing out the car apart, I'm sure there will be some folks willing to help. But first, take your time and talk to some knowledgeable folks. There is a Corvette gathering next Saturday, and I'd be happy to check if they can handle one (or two more). You'll be able to ask a lot of questions, and get answers.
Let me know if you're interested.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 346
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
I put the car on stands, took off the rear wheels, dropped the plastic wheel well inserts, sound proofed in there and put the inserts back. That made the bigest difference by far. I then did the area inside the hatch around the wheel wells and was pleased with the results.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
Send me a PM it that works for you, and I'll check it as soon as I'm back home.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
Steve,
I'm really wanting to make the Saturday gathering, but that is the day when my wife and I go over to visit our Mom's, and that's a hard thing to get out of. Maybe I can swing a deal to be available, but it's already quite a large gathering and I don't want to contribute to any overcrowding!
I'd also volunteer my place for the installation since I've got a three car garage, but it's STEEP and I think there's only one garage that we could get a Corvette into without damage and it's not the middle garage. I definitely envy your garage and driveway!
I'm really wanting to make the Saturday gathering, but that is the day when my wife and I go over to visit our Mom's, and that's a hard thing to get out of. Maybe I can swing a deal to be available, but it's already quite a large gathering and I don't want to contribute to any overcrowding!
I'd also volunteer my place for the installation since I've got a three car garage, but it's STEEP and I think there's only one garage that we could get a Corvette into without damage and it's not the middle garage. I definitely envy your garage and driveway!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 152
From: Western WA
Steve,
I'm really wanting to make the Saturday gathering, but that is the day when my wife and I go over to visit our Mom's, and that's a hard thing to get out of. Maybe I can swing a deal to be available, but it's already quite a large gathering and I don't want to contribute to any overcrowding!
I'd also volunteer my place for the installation since I've got a three car garage, but it's STEEP and I think there's only one garage that we could get a Corvette into without damage and it's not the middle garage. I definitely envy your garage and driveway!
I'm really wanting to make the Saturday gathering, but that is the day when my wife and I go over to visit our Mom's, and that's a hard thing to get out of. Maybe I can swing a deal to be available, but it's already quite a large gathering and I don't want to contribute to any overcrowding!
I'd also volunteer my place for the installation since I've got a three car garage, but it's STEEP and I think there's only one garage that we could get a Corvette into without damage and it's not the middle garage. I definitely envy your garage and driveway!
I understand family commitments. There will be other gatherings I'm sure.
I'm not sure how much improvement you'll see with the addition of insulation on the inside of the car. As it is, your car has the Goodyear F1 tires (correct?) which are a bit less stiff than the Supercar tires that come on the GS and Z06s. So I would expect they should be a bit cushier and quieter. There other tires that are supposed to be quieter, but I have no experience with them.
My suspicion is that if you insulate the upright area directly behind the seats and then take out the rear wheel inner housings and insulate behind there, that you'll get the most bang for the buck.
The problem is the stiff sidewalls of the runflat tires help to transmit noise from the lousy roads, but contribute to the responsiveness of the car too. I just haven't heard of anything that really solves the problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 346
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Super appreciate the offer, but only if you'll let me pay you for it. I'm available all day today, will be heading out in a moment to go to Harbor Freight, then to work out with my son. I'm available any time after 4:30 p.m. and would love another reason to cruise in the Corvette.
Send me a PM it that works for you, and I'll check it as soon as I'm back home.
Thanks!
Send me a PM it that works for you, and I'll check it as soon as I'm back home.
Thanks!
I wouldn't even know what to charge you. It has been sitting in my garage for 4 years now. I'm happy just to see someone put it to use. I'll PM you with my number.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
A huge thanks to Sox-Fan for the roll of insulation. I'm also glad we were able to spend some time chatting and cruising around!
The insulation is a lot different than what I saw, so I'll need to do some more looking around to find some more of this type.
The insulation is a lot different than what I saw, so I'll need to do some more looking around to find some more of this type.