I’m about to start tossing a stereo in my car but i'm going for more of a sound quality system vs a really loud system. I'll probably do something like a double din nav w/ component fronts and coaxial rears. Probably one or two 10w3s or one 10w7 but thats a different thread.

So my car is a 2007 350z Base Coupe and i do have way to many rattles in the car just driving around normally. I can bet that if i toss even a small sub in the back that it’s only going to get worse.

I’ve talked with a lot of people about dynamat and i get mixed opinions everywhere i go. Some people tell me NO DON’T WEIGHT ARGG. Then others say just do ‘some’ of the car. And then the rest just say its not a lot of weight so don’t worry about it.

I’m looking for anyone’s opinion on dynamat in general and i’m hoping a few experienced people will chime in as well.

I know someone is going to say “well its all about your goals” so i will include my goals for my car.

I’d really like to put a decent sound quality system in my car and not add too much weight. I know the system and some dynamat is going to add weight but i’m ok with some. I really don’t want knocks, rattles, and all that crap. So here we go adding weight vs performance. I’m not too entirely set on adding performance mods to be honest so i'd like to keep weight down so i don't soak my car slower than a stock Z! I bet the mod path for my car is going to be system, wheels, brakes/rotors for looks and the added performance, and possibly some minor bolt ons. I’m not looking to create a track car or even race the car. I guess what I don’t want is to add so much weight that i can’t have some fun spirited driving here and there.

Phew ok here we start with some specs of dynamat xtreme and i’m hoping someone can find the specs for the new superlite dynamat.


Thickness:
0.067" (1.7mm)

Mass:
0.45lb./ft2 (2.20kg/m2)

Acoustic Loss Factor @ Temperature (Using ASTM method E756@ 200 Hz):
0.081 @ +14F (-10C)
0.240 @ +32F (+0C)
0.257 @ +50F (+10C)
0.417 @ +68F (+20C)
0.259 @ +86F (+30C)
0.194 @ +104F (+40C)
0.140 @ +122F (+50C)
0.094 @ +140F (+60C)

Temperature Range (Optimal performance):
14°F to+140°F (-10°C to +60°C)

Temperature Range (Resistance):
-65°F to +300°F (-54°C to +149°C )

Straight from http://www.dynamat.com/technical_spe...at_xtreme.html

So this is where you guys come in!

First, WANTED: Specs of Superlite Dynamat!! The only thing i can find is this "Dynamat showed a new product called Dynamat Superlite which will cover an entire large sedan at 33 lbs. The rep I spoke to estimated that a Yaris LB could be covered at about 20 lbs. Dynamat Superlite will begin shipping in March" from http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12725 Someone in that thread said something about a 30% weight reduction. I don't know where he got that but its worth noting for now until official specs are released.

I have options as far as what gets the mat in my car. We have:
[]Doors
[]Floor (where your feet go)
[]Under Seats (where your bum goes, har har)
[]Behind Seats
[]Stock Sub Cubby + Glovebox Cubby
[]Rear Brace
[]Rear Hatch Door
[]Trunk Floor
[]Trunk Sides

I do not know how much ft^2 we're looking at here so i can't actually tell how much weight i'd be adding. Again, looking for people who have done this in a Z.

Some people argue that you really don't need dynamat everywhere, just in certain areas and places that rattle. Since i'm trying to reduce the amount of weight i need to add i think this strategic placing of the mat will be best.

I'm told that the real reason we use dynamat is just to simply add mass and by reducing the weight on the new superlite stuff i'm wondering what they did. Do you guys think it will be less effective? Or worth it to put superlite all over the above areas? Or should you use both and use the superlite in areas that don't need the full dampening as xtreme?

So now comes the question. Is there a better sound dampening material to use than dynamat xtreme or superlite? Maybe a lighter option somewhere that will give me really good dampening?

Thats all i got i think. Let's hear what you guys have to say! and thanks!

 

Bump

 

I am actually trying to sell my bulk pack of Dynamat Extreme, so that I can buy the superlight. It'll be a bit before this happens, since the Z is a small vehicle, even when I have both my 8w7's going full blast with windows up and all doors shut. The vibrations can get pretty interesting.

 

I used dynamat extreme in the trunk (Only the areas I could get to from removing the spare), behind the seats, and the top of the hatch. Honestly I didn't have too much rattle at all without it, but the dynamat did help a little with road noise and did seem to make the bass sound much "cleaner" I guess would be the best way to describe it. The only thing that really rattles a lot is the rear view mirror (creates a buzzing sound) and the glove box behind the passenger seat where I noticed that I had to remove the false floor because the bass would push it out constantly. I am running two JL 10 W6 subs with a ED Nine.2 amp. Stock bose everything else. I think if I actually took the time and removed all that plastic in the trunk and did everything it would have quieted down the rear much more, but since the mirror is my biggest buzz, then I can live with that. Hope this helps any.

 

Now there is a rattle I've found, on my last car (this one too) and only happens during deep excursions. There is a shrill squeak noise, it comes from the metal frame (rear bumper) vibrating so much the Styrofoam squeaks really loud, this I'll fix some time later with some soft rubber or matting.