Engine side firewall covering

[Clifton]

I have what looks like 1" thick stranded fiberglass mat on the engine side of the firewall. I plan to use a 12"x 46" sheet of .032" aluminum to cover it, replacing the 12" x 24" steel piece. I can easily cover over it and be done but if there is a lighter, thinner, inexpensive sound deadening material that someone has tried that they like I may use that.

[jbcollier]

I use the "ultimate" from this company:

http://www.b-quiet.com

[Clifton]

How do you like it compared to the original for sound and heat? It looks like the original piece might have been more for heat than sound. I'm not even sure changing it is really needed. I just assume technology can save some weight.

[jbcollier]

Dunno, my first drive in a Europa was in my own.  Not too sure about noise reduction either as I have been driving without the doors so far (and, loving it).

[Clifton]

My first drive in one will also be mine, after it runs.

[BDA]

I would think any modern insulation would be an improvement over the original! IIRC, it was just compressed horse hair or some such. It was prone to getting soaked with oil or water and deteriorating.

I used some mylar covered foam rubber that I got from JC Whitney. It seems to work as well as can be expected, but with a different engine with a 2 1/4" exhaust, I'm not expecting it to be anywhere nearly as quiet as a stock Europa. The stuff John used looks good!

[Clifton]

From what I have found the sound deadening most places sell is Mass Loaded Vinyl. This is the dense black stuff that usually has a silver coating. The thicker, the quieter. http://www.supersoundproofingsales.com/products.asp?dept=28 Has uncoated which would be good if used inside but it is on the thick side at 1/8". Ebay has 80 mil that is silver coated pretty cheap. The PO put carpet pad on the interior side of my firewall. I might just cover the engine side with 80mil mlv with the silver coating and leave the carpet pad as an insulator. McMaster carries aerogel. Very thin, light and good insulator.

[BDA]

The original insulation was probably 3/4" - 1" thick. I would take the opportunity to get better insulation qualities and keep the thickness for even better insulation.