Sound insulation, is it worth it ?

[JimBobC4]

I have removed the interior of my 1995 convertable for refurbishing and floor repair. I have noticed VERY little insulation exist under the carpet.
I understand that GM was trying to save weight but Im willing to add a pound or two.

Are the sound deadener kits I see for sale worth the money ?
Especially on a convertable, is it reasonable to spend 140.00 on sound deadener when I have a cloth top? Will I notice a difference ?
All other aspects of the car are original (stereo etc) and I just want a nice daily driver.

Does a reasonable (less expensive) alternative exist ? Anything is better than what it has now.

 

[Red Vette]

I have not added a sound deadener to my C4 vert, so I can't advise. However, I am hard of hearing which at times is a blessing. What I wanted to caution you on is adding material to the rear storage compartment. If you choose to add the material, make sure the convertible top will stow in the down position and that the deck lid closes easily and firmly, and reopens easily. I had material added to my 91 vert and the top would not fit correctly in the compartment. I had to remove it from the rear compartment without testing it. If you do add the deadener, let us know what your impressions are of the effectiveness. I know that when I place the hard top on the vert, it is much quietier, so some of the sound you hear may be due to the convertible top's inability to deaden sound.
Barrett

 

[JimBobC4]

If you choose to add the material, make sure the convertible top will stow in the down position and that the deck lid closes easily and firmly, and reopens easily. I had material added to my 91 vert and the top would not fit correctly in the compartment. I had to remove it from the rear compartment without testing it. Barrett

Your right, I just checked and its CLOSE ! No insulation in the rear for my 1995. It looks as if even 1\4 of an inch would jam the top. That answers that question. Thanks !

Now, who spent the 140 bucks for the floor boards and notices a difference in a convertable ?

 

[Tom Bryant]

There are a lot of different products on the market and I have been looking into them for 2 of my projects. My '59 is an oven in the summer and most sound insulation products are also heat insulation. If there is little or no insulation under the carpet I think you will notice a big difference if you add some and reduce or stop the engine heat from coming through the floor.

You can probably find pre cut kits from the Corvette parts houses or get something like Dynamat in rolls and do it yourself. For those areas that you can't afford any thickness increase there is a sray on product developed in the space program called Lizard Skin. It builds to about 1/8 inch. I have read tests on it and the stuff is amazing.

Some of the adhesive backed products have been known to not stay adhered to the inside of door skins when setting with the hot sun on them so the spray on inside the doors, if you are going that far, would be a good idea. Check out some of the hot rod forums as these builders are heavy users of these products.

Tom

 

[JimBobC4]

Tom,

Thanks ! The Lizard skin seems a bit pricey though for my taste. If I had a '59 I would spring for it. I may just put dynamat in it and be done.

Also, your avatar, is that a Grand Sport ? or the early Le Mans racer ? The car Harley Earls son drove as a racer ?

 

[Tom Bryant]

Tom,

Also, your avatar, is that a Grand Sport ? or the early Le Mans racer ? The car Harley Earls son drove as a racer ?

That's the 1957 Corvette SS racer on perminent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum.

 

[JimBobC4]

1957 Corvette SS ... Zora Duntov's magnesium bodied car. I didn't realize it was actually on view someplace. I've read about it many times.

Good ole Zora nearly got canned over that car or so I have read in inteviews.

Do you have any more pictures ?

 

[Tom Bryant]

I need to go visit it again. Unless they have it out to a show like the Montery Historics it's in the Indy museum.

Heres a link to some albums I am putting together from all the many pictures I have taken. I have the Indy Museum album down toward the bottom and some others you may find interesting too.

tebcollection.shutterfly.com

You will need to copy/paste. For some reason I can't make a link work.

Tom

 

[Tom Bryant]

One more old picture of the SS from our photo archives.

 

[JimBobC4]

Thanks ! I have been collecting photos of rare 'vettes for many years.
The SS and the story behind it have always intrigued me. I just didn't have any real color pictures of it. The ones I swiped off the net were always in black and white.

I enjoy cars like the SS, Sr2, the rotory powered cars, and anything Duntov touched.

Harley Earl intrigues me as well. He was a a bigger than life character.
The fact he built an experiemental car just for his son to race says a lot about his personality. Gee thanks Dad !

Anyway, thanks for the photo's. Also, if you like car museums ( like the ones in your photos) you should check out Floyd Garretts muscle car museum in Severville, Tenn.

He has several one of a kind and rare vettes in his collection. WIth one Zero mile 1964 Racer ( big tank optioned fulie) that was delivered in crates, and assembled 20 years later. The key has never been turned. He has 1 or 2 aluminum big blocks on display and had an early L-88 last time I was there. Also a couple of 427 tri-powers. All in top flight museum condition. It's worth the visit if you like 1 off and rare muscle cars.