Upholstry: 5pc or formed?

[axefreak]

I have looked at a lot of sites that sell carpet kits for my 260z. I am wondering if the 5pc set is better than the complete set that is formed? I have never done this before so I am not sure the pro's and con's for each.

Thanks,

Rick

[GunnerRob]

5 piece upholstery?

Did you mean 5 piece carpet? Because normally upholstery refers to the 2 seats.

[axefreak]

You're right, I meant carpet.

Rick

[GunnerRob]

Personally I'd select the 5 piece set. The main reason is because if one of the pieces fades, gets stained, or wears out, I would only need to replace the one piece. And, if I needed to make a repair under one piece, I would only have to move one small piece instead the whole carpet.

Also, I would think having seperate pieces would make it easier to fit and adjust to get it to fit right instead of wrestling with a big piece.

[EScanlon]

"wondering if the 5pc set is better than the complete set that is formed?"

How many pieces in the formed set?

By formed are they referring to heat / vacuum formed to fit the contours of the interior, or that the pieces have had their edges seamed and stitched to conform to the surface?

I've seen the "form fitting" set put into another vehicle, and although it did ~generally~ conform to the surface, it did have a few areas that weren't quite right. This however was the style where they stiffened the carpet back with some form of adhesive stiffener.

The set I bought for my car is a 6 piece set that has been "formed" to fit the contours via seam stitching. When you look at the back of the carpet set, you note that it has several stitched seams. Those seams allow the carpet set to follow the contours of the pan. I am very pleased with the way this fits in my car as well as the quality of it. This set has a total of 6 pieces: the main floor piece with the stitching where the firewall leg panel is,. then the piece under the seat also has a seam, and lastly the piece behind the seat that has to conform twice, once from the pan to the angle and then flat again. You mention 5 pieces, and I'm wondering if that means the back piece would go up and over the transmission tunnel or what.

I've also seen flat piece carpet sets, and even if they have the edges stitched, they may not lay down properly due to the bends and dips in the car.

FWIW

Enrique

[2003z]

sounds like a quality set. Mind telling us the brand/source?

thanks!

Mike

"wondering if the 5pc set is better than the complete set that is formed?"

How many pieces in the formed set?

By formed are they referring to heat / vacuum formed to fit the contours of the interior, or that the pieces have had their edges seamed and stitched to conform to the surface?

I've seen the "form fitting" set put into another vehicle, and although it did ~generally~ conform to the surface, it did have a few areas that weren't quite right. This however was the style where they stiffened the carpet back with some form of adhesive stiffener.

The set I bought for my car is a 6 piece set that has been "formed" to fit the contours via seam stitching. When you look at the back of the carpet set, you note that it has several stitched seams. Those seams allow the carpet set to follow the contours of the pan. I am very pleased with the way this fits in my car as well as the quality of it. This set has a total of 6 pieces: the main floor piece with the stitching where the firewall leg panel is,. then the piece under the seat also has a seam, and lastly the piece behind the seat that has to conform twice, once from the pan to the angle and then flat again. You mention 5 pieces, and I'm wondering if that means the back piece would go up and over the transmission tunnel or what.

I've also seen flat piece carpet sets, and even if they have the edges stitched, they may not lay down properly due to the bends and dips in the car.

FWIW

Enrique

[EScanlon]

sounds like a quality set. Mind telling us the brand/source?

thanks!

Mike

I feel bad...I got them on e-Bay so long ago, I don't even remember the guy's name. I do recall that he had bought a new carpet set in LOOPED style as he was going to be competing in more Concours events. The set I bought from him, was his old set, a CUT PILE set, as well as a set of carpet covers with 240Z on them. The back has a plasticized finish to seal the bottom of the carpet. The seams are stitched and knotted from the back. All of the edges are also seamed. I've been told that Too Intense Restoration, and Motorsport both offer cut or loop, and that their quality is good.

I'll look to see if there are any tell tale markings.

Enrique