Sound pad - opinions needed.

dfink · 08-11-2003, 04:00 PM

Is there any reason to replace the sound pad other than noise. I recently removed it from my 85 cab and really can't tell any difference in noise level. Maybe it makes more difference in the coupes. It will probably go back next time the engine has to come out. A long... long... time from now.

Jack Olsen · 08-11-2003, 04:45 PM

Heat, too.

Appbiz makes one that I just put into my car. It's got silver reflectorized material on both sides, and is much lighter than the stock pad.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

My car has a similar setup to this

pwd72s · 08-11-2003, 05:11 PM

Jack? Do you have a pic of the Appbiz product? Couldn't click on it at their site. I mean, it's NO problem figuring out that BIll's car has dynamat!

dfink · 08-11-2003, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the photos. I like the look. brightens the engine compartment. Do those companies make a precut or did you have to cut your own. My old one came out in pieces..

Jack Olsen · 08-11-2003, 05:49 PM

The appbiz piece is very light, it's got some sort of fiber insulation inside that won't hold water.

I'm sure that Dynamat does a much better job of deadening sound than the factory mat -- but it weighs a lot.

I didn't take any pictures of my sound pad before it was installed, but here are a couple of looks at it installed:

The red thing is the Halon outlet for the fire system.

The pad comes pre-cut, with a border added all around the edge.

pwd72s · 08-11-2003, 06:00 PM

Thanks, Jack.

Randy Webb · 08-11-2003, 08:50 PM

FWIW,

Sound Pad (new style) 0.7 lb.

that's the same as a single rubber engine or tranny mount. So you aren't saving much if anything by deleting or substituting it.

Chuck Moreland · 08-11-2003, 09:05 PM

Jack

Did you notice a difference in sound level with the appbiz part?

1974carrera · 1974carrera's Garage

Here's a pic of my recently installed sound pad (original,sourced from a Dealer). It's very low density and doesn't seem like it could do much for sound attenuation...I concluded that it's mostly for thermal insulation. I weighed it and it is less than 1 1/2 pounds. The Appbiz material that Jack Olsen references as "much lighter than the stock pad" must be truly featherweight!

Chuck Moreland · 08-11-2003, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1974carrera
I weighed it and it is less than 1 1/2 pounds. The Appbiz material that Jack Olsen references as "much lighter than the stock pad" must be truly featherweight!

The original factory pads weighed much more, maybe 7 lbs or so. They also deteriorate and make a mess of the engine compartment. The "new style" factory pad is what you have and it is much lighter - 1.5 lbs on your scale, .7 lbs on Randy's scale.

Jack Olsen · 09:38 PM

Quote:

Did you notice a difference in sound level with the appbiz part?

Hard to say. With my car, the big noise sources are huge tires and lots of monoball-type bushings, not to mention solid motor mounts and a lot of the other sound deadening (other than the engine compartment piece) missing.

If Elephant Racing had faster product development, I might have some of their brass/poly bushings, and be suffering less hearing damage.

It is probably quieter, now. And my seat of the pants impression was that the air-conditioned 'held' better in the car with the addition of the pad and some silicon sealing around the rear Lexan window (which doesn't use a rubber seal).

I wouldn't pull a motor just to install a pad like this (or the new factory one, either). But I think it makes sense, if the motor's out anyway, and my guess is that the Appbiz one would be better at reflecting radiant heat than the factory one.

1974carrera · 1974carrera's Garage

Yes, it is definitely the new pad...about 4 weeks old... less than 1 1/2 pounds. Perhaps my word "original" was misleading. Anyway, if you get an oem (original equipment manufacturer) stock pad now, this is what you get. The "original factory pad" you mention is no longer available as an oem part. I've been told that some of the non-oem pads currently available aftermarket are heavier than the oem ones, but this is hearsay and I can't confirm it.

GeorgeM · GeorgeM's Garage

Jack, I just got the same product from another supplier.

Did you glue that thing or are the clips and engine parts enough to
hold it up?

HarryD · 08-12-2003, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeM
Jack, I just got the same product from another supplier.

Did you glue that thing or are the clips and engine parts enough to
hold it up?

I put a sheet of closed cell foam in my compartmewnt. I think it helps a bit onthe noise. I used the 3m adhesive that comes in a spray can (yellow toxic smelling stuff). Worked great!

dfink · 08-12-2003, 09:30 AM

Jack; I looked at the appbiz website and didn't see any pads. Did you get it from dealer or did you just contact appbiz directly. I really like the foil look. I don't like the way the Dynamat looks with the name all over it so boldly.

Jack Olsen · 02:56 PM

Email Robert Breshears directly. It's a new product.

I drove the car down to Huntington Beach today, and it's definitely quieter, now. (On the Big Bear run, it was harder to tell, because of some periods where the posted speed limit might have been exceeded.)

RSupdate · RSupdate's Garage

Well Jack, you were in my neck of the woods....'shuda stopped by and said hi to Gloria @ Pristine...they have a beautiful '96 993TT in the showroom... worth a look after a stop at Starbuck's across the street.....

dfink · 08-12-2003, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the address Jack I will give it a try. I emailed sales today but didn't hear back.

Jack Olsen · 08-12-2003, 09:12 PM

I should have thought of that, John. I had to make a stop at (gulp) Einmalig for one of the trim pieces I smashed to smithereens during my reckless moment at California Speedway.