Carpet - Molded or sectional?

[Lone_Star]

I have an early 260 and am looking at new carpet for it. I plan to go with the loop pile in a light tan, and replace the vinyl on the tunnel, back wall, and shock towers. I have seen sets in both molded and a sectional version. I would like to get some feedback on what other have used, why you chose the molded or sectional, how each fit, and your thoughts on it once installed. If you have photos to share too, that would be great! I am mostly interested in photos of the molded ones, and the fit on the shock towers. I have seen many photos of the sectional kits installed, but not the molded ones.

Thanks!

[Lone_Star]

Bueller, Bueller, ....anyone? No one has bought the molded carpet kits for their Z?

[Captain Obvious]

I am probably going to be in the market as well and was hoping you would get some good responses here. Not sure why nobody wants to help... :paranoid: Maybe because it won't make the car go faster?

How about trying that new turbo carpet. I've heard it can add a few hp.

[Lone_Star]

I spent some time talking to a few vendors; they all stick with the sectional sets up to '74, and molded for '75 up. One explained that when the 280 was built, they used different dimension shock towers in the rear (I believe they are a bit taller), and another said the floor pans are different between '74 and '75. So after further phone calls I custom ordered the deluxe sectional kit in loop carpet from MSA. It was custom ordered because they only sell the loop carpet in black as standard and I was looking for a medium brown. The did send me some color samples to choose from tho. It will be another month or so before it goes in the car, but will add photos and feed back once done.

[Captain Obvious]

Looking forward to the pics.

What was the cost, if you don't mind me asking?

[grungedude42]

I made my own sectional carpet out of a 6x12' piece of indoor/outdoor black open pile. I used the old nasty carpet inside as a rough stencil, and trimmed to shape. Cost me $90, no shipping since I bought local.

[Lone_Star]

I ordered the Custom Carpet Kit, it was special order to get it in loop (so no forum discount). Cost was $280. I will spread it out on the driveway when I get a warm day and take photos. Will take photos when I get far enough along to install it in the car.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/SIC103/40-2596G

[Lone_Star]

Well, an update on my carpet install; one of the biggest disappointments of the entire refresh-storation. The only pieces that we did not have to modify or have fitment issues with are the two large sections in front of the seats. The tunnel piece had to have a two inch wide strip cut out of the back where it goes over the tunnel to make it fit right, the edging had to be cut off the door sill pieces to get the the sill plates to fit right, the vertical piece behind the seats had to be cut down, the shock tower pieces were so far off that they had to be cut apart and fitted properly. The large cargo mat does not fit with enough material to cover where it meets the plastic side panels in the back, some metal shows. The small pieces that go behind/under the seats did not cover all of the area under the seats either. We ended up ordering a couple yards of the carpet through MSA to make our own sections to go under the seat to get full coverage and to have extra to make floor mats or repairs. I will have to pull extra photos from my other pc, but here are some of the final install.

[Rainman]

I'm sorry to hear about the experience you had with this carpet kit.. Thank you very much for sharing the experience, I am nearing this point in the refresh of my early 260Z and will make other plans. I'll look forward to seeing the rest of the pics you speak of.

[grantf]

I have been looking into a carpet kit also. sorry that yours did not turn out so well, But thanks for posting pictures and the short review. I wish more people would follow up on there end results. I am also discouraged that others did not help you out more before you made you purchase.

I remember my 260 having vinyl shock towers and transmission tunnel. Is there a reason you whent with carpet?

BTW youre car still looks really nice, you still may be able to work the carpet out a little more, and after the seats are in post pics.

Edited July 3, 2012 by grantf