Best location for Heat and Sound Protection (Westfield Miata)

[DanM]

I have chosen Kilmat 50 for sound dampening and Kool Mat ZERO CLEARANCE / PSA for heat insulation (For future Turbo), and am looking for advice and insight into the best location to install them on my Westfield Miata build.

 

I have read in some forum posts that depending on the location of install the mats can sometimes interfere with other parts of the car.

 

Here are my current thoughts:

 

Heat

All tunnels walls (Gearbox/Driveshaft side)

Both Footwells (Engine bay side)

LH Side panel (Outside - for exhaust)

 

Sound

All Cockpit floor panels (Inside)

Seat back panel (Inside)

Both Footwells (Inside)

RH Side Panel (Outside)

 

 

 

 

 

[mrmustang]

I prefer to do the entire cockpit with Design Engineering 010412 Reflect-A-Cool Heat Reflective Adhesive Backed Sheets, 36" x 48". Ultra thin, will not affect carpet install. I've done both my 7's, and my Cobra replicas with them. As far as sound deadener, I really don't bother with anything heavy like that, as the sound is outgoing, not incoming in both sets of cars. Finally, don't overthink it, keep it simple, and you'll be headed down the road before you know it.

 

Bill

[Pokey]

+1 to Kilmat being heavy, and sound deadening not really being something to be concerned about in an open cockpit car.

[DanM]

9 hours ago, mrmustang said:

Design Engineering 010412 Reflect-A-Cool Heat Reflective Adhesive Backed Sheets, 36" x 48"

Looks like an interesting product.  I got the Kool Mat from Breeze automotive. They supply a lot of stuff for the cobra community (Factory 5, etc.).

[IamScotticus]

Insulating at least the L foot well front pedal box and sides is something I must do as well.

Im still on the fence about pipe wrapping. 

I don't care for using adhesives for this purpose.  I glued my tunnel carpet and regret it now. 

Are metal snaps something the heat barrier sheets will accept?

[MPG]

I'm not convinced sound insulation is going to do anything, but heat insulation is certainly warranted.

 

The standard Westfield bonnet doesn't have much in the way of vents. So the heat all ends up going down the tunnel. Insulation along there is important. Boots for the shifter and handbrake too. I also insulated the inside of the fibreglass on the left side and wrapped the exhaust. I know some have strong feelings against the exhaust wrap, but it does seem to help get some of the heat out, and I think it looks cool.

 

I've thought on hot days that I should have added vents on the sides like some of the Westfields in the UK have done.

[mrmustang]

10 hours ago, DanM said:

Looks like an interesting product.  I got the Kool Mat from Breeze automotive. They supply a lot of stuff for the cobra community (Factory 5, etc.).

Breeze offers quite a bit to the FFR related community. I've built and rebuilt more than my fair share of them. Kool Mat works well, I just don't need the sound deadening properties on the inside of my 7's or my Cobras. If anything, I've used a coat of truck bedliner under the cars and in the wheelwells to deal with road debris type noises. Works far better there, then on the inside of the car.

 

Bill S.

[JohnCh]

19 minutes ago, MPG said:

The standard Westfield bonnet doesn't have much in the way of vents. So the heat all ends up going down the tunnel. Insulation along there is important.

 

Interior heat has never been a real issue for me except on brutally hot days in traffic.  I'm not running any form of heat barrier on the footwells or tunnels, but my exhaust manifold is ceramic coated.  Might be something to consider.

 

I agree with others regarding sound dampening.  It may help with some driveline noise, but it's kind of like opening a pint of ice cream and rather than eating the entire thing, you reserve the last spoonful because you are trying to lose weight.  Is your waistline really going to notice that nod to restraint?  Probably not...  Best form of noise reduction in a se7en is a good set of earplugs.  

 

-John 

[DanM]

Thanks everyone for your insight. It’s really appreciated.
 

Does anyone have any feedback re: Interference? From the uk forum Ive heard that if I put dynamat or similar on the outside of the tunnel it may restrict the seat adjustment. Are there any other areas that people have heard of or experienced?

[JohnCh]

If that's a concern, I'd do a test install of the seats and measure remaining space to see how close it is in your specific car.  If you want to be thorough, but don't also want to temporarily put the carpet in place, drape a smaller section over the tunnel along with a piece of the KOOL Mat and see what happens.  

 

-John

[IamScotticus]

The only discomfort I've had in 100 deg F days (Texas) is knee burning on the tunnel wall wearing shorts.  Nothing further back bothered me.  

I would install only back to the seat, but not further unless its warranted.

It was so hot, I worried the carpet adhesive would ignite.

[coffee break]

+1 for wrapping the exhaust at least under the bonnet. 

[panamericano]

5 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

The only discomfort I've had in 100 deg F days (Texas) is knee burning on the tunnel wall wearing shorts. 

Same problem in Dallas heat, and the knee rubbed, not comfy.  So, I cut a square of foam rubber from an old keyboard wrist rest, covered it in leather and glued to tunnel.  When the knee is not in contact, the car heat is not a problem compared to the furnace in the sky.