I just put new upolstry on my Z's seats and thought I should replace the insulation on the floors and firewall while the seats were out. (actually, 'replace' may be the wrong word, as I was amazed at how much was just not there!!)

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile and was looking at the stuff offered at MSA and Victoria British. Then I had an idea to try something different....and cheaper. I went down to Home Depot and bought a 10' roll of water heater insulation and foil tape. (about $30 Canadian at the end of the day!) The insulation is silver foil on both sides and 'bubble' in the middle. It was remarkably easy to work with. Took me about an hour to do both sides!!

I wasn't sure what to expect on my first drive? WOW!!! :classic: What a HUGE difference!!! Nothing but the sweet sound of my exhaust now....and it's cut down on the fumes entering the car through the firewall!! (still need to deal with the hatch area!! )

Just thought I'd pass that along. Maybe others have already done this....or have an even better solution. But, Man, I'm VERY Happy!!!

Zedguy

Did you put it under the carpet too? I'm just wondering if the bubbles will pop like under your heal and cause your carpet to wear faster because of no cushion.

Sounds great though for the tunnel and firewall!

Yes. Under the carpets. No problem with popping. With the carpets and the mats....it would take alot of pressure in one spot to cause a problem.

Zedguy

I hate to burst your bubbles, but....

Do you think that when you put on some decent miles during a hot day, that the air in the bubble stuff will heat and expand? Will it sound like pop corn popping?

I am asking only because I do not know the answer. I know that a water heater t'stat is typically set at 125 F., but the trans tunnel in the Z can be hotter than that.

Let us know, how it works out in the long run.

Thank you,

Most likely if there was a layer of brown-bread from a co. called B-Quiet that all would be fine and even more quiet. Another source is J C Whitney they have a insulation for firewalls and it can be used on the tranny tunnel , under the floor mats and hatch area. I am not using it under the floor mats but on all vertical surfaces. I looked at the bubble rap stuff at home Depot , but vary much question the heat resistance and flamibility of the plastic . The product from Whitney is certified for mariene and automotive use in engine compartments or under the hood if y ou want to go there , and its cheep too.

Speaking of Home Depot,

I found some stuff in the roofing department that is the same thing as Brown Bread or Dynamat. It is called Peel & Seal. It went down very well, I used a heat gun and wall paper roller, just like you would with the others. It cost much less than the other brands and did a great job. It will stick to any clean surface including the existing stuff on the Z trans tunnel, if you wipe it down with paint thinner.

I'll let you know if I run into a problem....but, I swear, the stuff has made a HUGE improvement in the short term. I only used it under the floor mats and up the firewall. I don't really see heat being a problem there. One of the uses on the packaging was for heat resistance in autos. (photo of it being used in floor of van.) Also, it was listed as sound absorption on generators. I guess we'll see.

Like I said, if the stuff fails, I WILL let you all know!!!

Zedguy