My engine pad is missing - worth replacing?

[tdskip]

So I assume she'll be louder without the pad, but so long as I am OK with how she sounds without it are there any reasons to replace it?

Thanks guys.

[Dantilla]

Lots of 911s around with no sound pad at all.

[makaio]

No reason to replace unless you are concerned with NVH.

[schumicat]

it cuts down on heat in the cabin as well. nothing terrible will happen if you don't have it.

[Ronnie's.930]

Another reason to replace it is a new one looks good back there . . .

[Hotwatermusic]

I removed the old, dingy, crumbly one when I had my engine out last summer and never replaced it. I've been driving around now with no pad for the last 2 months and can't tell 1dB of difference.

[80-911SC]

Do it next time the motor is out ... make it part of your while I'm in there list ..

Hard to do with it in .. easy enough with it out ...

Steve

[DaveE]

I haven't had one since I bought my SC. I like it like that. It reminds me of the original color......

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Another reason to replace it is a new one looks good back there . . .

+1 Just for the look:

[will hung]

Some food for thought. I've read somewhere that after 10-15 years, that the insulation properties of the engine pad diminish, so many find that removing it does nothing. But for those that install a new one, that's when the biggest improvement is felt. For me, I'd rather remove it from the engine compartment and hide some dynamat and dynaliner under the parcel shelf.

[tdskip]

Thanks guys

[Dave Colangelo]

its a Porsche let it Rawrrrrrrr.

I got the old decrepit one out of my car and yeah its a bit louder but I adds a certain amount of growling that I love to hear from my engine.

Regards
Dave

[nick_911]

I just installed a new one in mine as the engine was out and I did not have one.
Makes a big difference to my ear when the windows are up which is a plus with wifey in the car. If you want to hear noise just keep the windows down.
It looks much neater in the engine bay. to me it was good 70 bucks spent on a road car.

[jlynch1960]

From someone who is suffering some minor hearing loss (Led Zepplin concert in '77 or thereabouts), I installed one that was missing and was astonished by the difference particularly at less than highway speeds. Instead of a constant loud indistinct rumble from the back seat area, I could actually hear the induction, the mechanical and the exhaust sounds distinctly coming from the back of the car instead of the rumble inside it.

The thing hardly weighs anything and it's a huge improvement, for me anyway.

PITA to install with the engine in but it certainly can be done. Dry fit it in place and then work right to left peeling back 6-10" sections, applying the adhesive and pushing it back into place. Don't slather it up with the adhesive and expect to get it to fit on the first try, particularly if you have the cruise servo, etc on the driver side of the firewall. Wear a respirator!

[1985RedTarga]

It does make the engine compartment look pretty though. I did mine and it looks much better.

[Jesset100]

Also heat. If you have speakers on your package tray they'll get hot and the music will distort.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by tdskip

So I assume she'll be louder without the pad, but so long as I am OK with how she sounds without it are there any reasons to replace it?

Thanks guys.

You will need to remove the air cleaner, throttle assy, and air meter.

As per 80-911SC, if you can wait until you pull the engine.

Hope this helps.

Gerry

[tdskip]

Thanks guys - very helpful.

[ace123]

I just looked in the back of my car and I don't have an engine pad either.

No wonder it is so loud in my cabin. I had the engine pulled years ago and they must have taken it out without asking me for a replacement. I see some of the old glue in on the metal.

Oh well. I'm trying to figure out how far down the material would go. Can I put it down there without taking apart any of the engine on my 87 ? It looks kinda tight.

[ace123]

86-911-targa. Did the purchase order above include installation?