Removing Under Carpet Insulation...

[WestonM22CSX]

Hey. I've been doing some stuff to my car to lighten it without making it less comfortable to drive. I am wondering if taking out the thick insulation/padding underneath the floor carpet would significantly add noise to the interior and/or not keep in or out heat as well. Anyone who has done this please let me know your results. Is it worth doing? I want to keep the carpet just take out what cant be seen. But if it makes the ride unenjoyable, no thanks, this isn't a race car. Also another question relating to the interior. I have the Mopar 2.2/2.5 racing peformance book and it mentions that removing the steering lock so that in case the engine quits while driving on a road course the car can still be steered. I don't know why a street car would have such a lock but I know I'd like to steer out of an accident if at all possible in case the engine fails somehow. Has anyone else done this? Please describe how its done and if its worth doing. I have power steering in my '88 CSX-T if that helps you to answer. Thanks so much!!!

[shelbyluvinfool]

The padding is quite heavy, and can be a PITA to remove all of it, but it is a good weight saving ~20lbs. The downside is the car will be hella loud in comparison!
You can always put in a nother matting, like the foil back heat stuff, or Dynamat. It will add back half that weight and be kind of expensive.
It's up to, but once you remove the backing, you can't put it back in!

[WestonM22CSX]

Thanks for the answer! How about that steering lock I mentioned. Anyone that can help me with that I would appreciate it.

Weston

[shelbyluvinfool]

well, I'm lost as to why the steering lock would activate unless you turn the key to the lock position!

[Chadxton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelbyluvinfool You can always put in a nother matting, like the foil back heat stuff, or Dynamat. It will add back half that weight and be kind of expensive. It's up to, but once you remove the backing, you can't put it back in!

Nothing is better at sound deadening than the stock carpet underlay. Remember, asphalt based material like Dynamat is more of a vibration dampener than a sound barrier. On top of that, you'll probably gain that weight back with 2 layers.

[shelbyluvinfool]

I was in no way condoning doing that if you like the sound level as is. I used to have a N/A SC with NO interior, fun, but annoying!!

[bill2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelbyluvinfool The padding is quite heavy, and can be a PITA to remove all of it, but it is a good weight saving ~20lbs.

A member weighed the insulation removed from his daytona, and it weighed in at 70lbs!

[shelbyluvinfool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill2 A member weighed the insulation removed from his daytona, and it weighed in at 70lbs!

It must have been wet, cuz the padding in a 98+ Firebird/Camaro only weighs 20, and they are much bigger inside!

[bill2]

Insulation... not just the padding. The padding also is attached to a very heavy rubber insulator. Also under some of the trim pieces there is a very heavy dynomat material. Did you remove the interior from your gutted charger?

[shelbyluvinfool]

no, mine was an aborted SCCA project car!
I know what you are talking about though, I just gutted a Charger pillaging for interior pieces for my SC!

[speed8988]

Dynomat probably weighs so much. The other guy is correct 2-3 sheets and you can the weight back. Go buy carpet and use the old to make a template. The new carpet will have no matting. I would get some thin carpet but your heel will wear though it fast. I had a hole in my Floor board from the heel of the foot.

[Mike B.]

I just removed the "jute" padding from the back of my Rampage carpet and haven't noticed any difference in interior sound. Haven't noticed any difference in comfort either. That padding acts like a big sponge, keeping water on the floorpan for very long periods of time.