I've made a simple and cheap modification that makes small but noticeable improvement in three areas. I bought some heat shield insulation from J.C. Whitney and lined the entire trunk (walls and floor) with it. The result is that the (Bose) system sounds a little tighter, the trunk (especially the floor) is much cooler so that I don't have to worry about things warming up on long trips, and the car is quieter.


The item number from J.C. Whitney is 25ZX0705N Heat Shield Insulation, 48" x 72" Sheet, $26.95.

One sheet was enough for the trunk with a little left over for bits in the cabin flooring. Actually, I bought two sheets and may do the entire cabin.

Please don't ask for pictures. I just cut the sheets up and layed them in there. Someday I'll find the time to rip out the carpeting and put it under the carpets.

How about the cabin footwells. Noticeable improvement? This is what concerns me.

So far I've only installed a scrap under the passenger side floor mat, on top of the carpet. It does seems to have helped there. I have yet to do either area in full.

The insulation is quite nifty: aluminum sheeting laminated to fibre tech padding. Easily cut with scizzors. Perhaps this link will work: http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NavView?Ntt=25ZX0705N%20&Ntk=AllTextSearchGroup&Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallany&Dn=0+111&D=25ZX0705N%20&Dx=mode+matchall&ss=10101&section=body&firstSearch=1&tmplframe=EndecaCategoryView&catalogId=10101&storeId=10101&langId=-1&URL=EndecaControllerView

I might also add that I cut up a few inserts for the storage compartments on top of the tunnel.

When I installed a new stereo system in my PGT I used the Dynamat insulation extensively -- made a huge difference in controlling temperatures and noise. I'm defeinitely planning to do the same for the 8 (when I get one!)

selmeralto, do you know what the insulation material weighed?

HI B-Nez,

The roll that covered the whole trunk area with a little left over for the passenger footwell weighed a little under 4 pounds.

thank you for the info
the fe is somuch more quieter than my fd,
but i do plan on lining the entire car foot wells, tunnel, trunk, doors.
dont know if i should mess with the head linning as it is attached to the curtain airbag.
will post pics when process start.

Thanks, Got 8. I'd look forward to seeing the pictures and to hearing about any unexpected problems or work-arounds.