Carpet Installation Question - Kirkham 427SC

car4jim · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 06:58 PM

I'm installing the wool carpet in my Kirkham this weekend. Test fitting all the pieces and the Foot boxes are done. Went to cover the Firewall/tunnel piece (the two pieces that sit over the bellhousing). Kirkhams call them the trapezoid or hanon panels. I have the two aluminum pieces fastened together and the carpet doesn't cover them both together. I'm pretty sure the carpet piece will cover just the piece that as the 90 deg break, but then I will have bare aluminum exposed above. Doesn't seem to make sense. Anybody do their own DIY carpet? I kind of doubt the carper piece is cut wrong, but always possible. The rest of the pieces are cut well, but not sure. Any thoughts?

ratsnst1 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2009, 09:34 PM

are you going to install dyno mat , or some kind of insulation barrier between the carpet and floor boards, I would if I was you, it will greatly helps in many wayes, I figure if you spent that kind of money on such a great cobra, why skimp.

car4jim · #3 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 08:05 AM

Yes. Dynamat everywhere. Just try ing to sort out some final installation details. Anyone has some feedback on the question in the initial post, please advise.

Ronbo · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 10:24 AM

Haven't done mine yet but I think it runs right to the firewall.

http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/ma...t/carpet.shtml

I've got the Halon bottle which pretty much blocks the view anyway. How's the transmissin tunnel going? As I understand it the wierd bend on the passenger side is a bear to get fitted with the wool carpet.

I went with the nylon carpet just because wool seemed like a bad idea in a car with no roof. Not to mention the extra weight. (living in a swamp doesn't help either)

patrickt · #5 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronbo

I went with the nylon carpet just because wool seemed like a bad idea in a car with no roof. Not to mention the extra weight. (living in a swamp doesn't help either)

Smart. When I was getting my ERA I initially told Peter that I wanted wool carpeting. His response was "Fine, but you know Pat, I think you'd be much happier with the nylon. It's better in every respect, and it's even cheaper; but it's your call." I went with the nylon.

car4jim · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 04:39 PM

To answer Ronbos question....the bend on the passenger side of the console is tough because the carpet doesn't really stretch. I finished the console today and did have some trouble getting it to stick down in the fold near the emergency brake handle. I put a rivet as recommended by Kirkham and clamped the carpet down with a piece of wood. I'll let it dry over night and see how it turns out. I attached some pics of the carpet installation thus far. The rear bulkhead is trimmed in black vinyl to match the leather seats and dash. You can see the panel in question with and without the carpet piece layed over the top. Looks like the piece is only suppose to cover the lower half of the assy. Seems like it would be nicer if the piece extended another 3-4 inches upward. I'll call Kirkham tomorrow for advice unles anyone out there has any ideas. I guess it is what it is!

car4jim · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 04:44 PM

On the topic of wool vs nylon carpet, I originally requested the nylon carpet, but when I showed up in Provo to bring the roller home to So Cal, they were out of the nylon. When offered the wool carpet in it's place, I took it. It's very nice carpet. Seems like of a shame to have a top notch ride and not go for the wool. It's nice stuff. I figure if you are really worried about the weight difference between wool and nylon, you will probably run without carpet anyway!

Ronbo · #8 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 07:28 PM

I hear ya, problem is when it gets wet. I've heard a few comments around here about "the smell".

Getting wet is a given here in Florida. (not that I'll smell any better)

Since your in California, flammability is probably more important right now. Wouldn't mind giving you guys half of what we're getting hit with here.

maurice19 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 10:00 PM

Hi Jim,

That`s why I never installed my wool carpet set, plus it stays dry stored in the garage. ha

Maurice

Excaliber · #10 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 10:05 PM

Sounds like a pain having to sand down the back side of wool carpet to get a good bond with the glue. Good tips on carpet in general, I'm going nylon when I order a replacement set.

Ronbo · #11 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 10:08 PM

BTW I like the back panel job, the vinyl looks good.

Are you planning to carpet the trunk? I was thinking I would since the aluminum will probably get scarred up and end up looking like sheeit.

car4jim · #12 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 11:08 PM

Rombo. I notice you have #570 which is 7 SN's after mine. What month did you take delivery of your KMS? I haven't thought much about carpeting the trunk. I'm thinking not, but maybe another project for a rainy day...oh, but it never rains in So Cal. Sorry, couldn't help myself. Hope you guys dry out soon. Cali will be on fire in a month or so, we could use some of that rain!

car4jim · #13 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 11:15 PM

BTW...the wool carpet doesn't need to be sanded. Kirkham told me the early carpet came from Poland. I guess the quality wasn't there!! The carpet I got with my car a year and a half ago was nice. No prep necessary. You just need some good glue. I used the DAP Weldwood Original Gel. Works great. Their patterns are good. I didn't have to do very much trimming.

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 12:17 AM

Oh, I get it, avoid the Polish carpet you say?

...apparently they work better with alloy than with sheep.

Jamo · #15 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 10:50 AM

sheep need love

Ronbo · #16 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car4jim

Rombo. I notice you have #570 which is 7 SN's after mine. What month did you take delivery of your KMS? I haven't thought much about carpeting the trunk. I'm thinking not, but maybe another project for a rainy day...oh, but it never rains in So Cal. Sorry, couldn't help myself. Hope you guys dry out soon. Cali will be on fire in a month or so, we could use some of that rain!

I received it in Mar '08. I was scheduled for delivery in June but another customer had to delay delivery so I ended up getting the car in a couple weeks after ordering it.

At the rate I'm not getting anything done, I figure I'll have it ready in five or six years and someone else will have to drive.

car4jim · #17 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 02:54 PM

It's a well know fact that there has been a shortage of sheep in Poland since the Wall came down....the sheep are now all exported to Fresno!!

Igofastr · #18 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 03:21 PM

Maurice,

You know I think your car looks better without it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurice19

Hi Jim,

That`s why I never installed my wool carpet set, plus it stays dry stored in the garage. ha

Maurice

franklin · #19 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 04:38 PM

I carpeted my own car with the wool carpeting, and the piece you are referring to is not meant to cover the upper piece of aluminum and the lower piece of aluminum. If you cover the lower piece the upper piece is not seen even when trying to see it. Getting the wrap around is a bid tricky, but can be done with the glue and clamp method you describe above. My car has been in some minor rain/sprinkle storms and I actually like the wet wool carpet smell. Makes it smell new again. When putting in the upper piece of aluminum use some weather stripping to fill the gap caused by the thickness of the fiberglass foot box. Hope that makes sense. There are pictures in my photobucket link below if you want to see some.

Different topic: I have noticed the wool wears faster than I would like and I may eventually change it out to some high grade nylon stuff when I have the spare time, maybe in the winter. I had put some nice stuff in my last car (supplier said it was Porsche carpeting) and it wore much better and actually looked as good or better.
JMHO
Todd

car4jim · #20 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 05:31 PM

Thanks Franklin. Makes total sense. I'm going to proceed to cover the lower piece only.

On the floor mat pieces...did you use the pins/clips in each 4 corners per Kirkham, or just glue the floor mats down. I like the idea of being able to remove them, but seems like a more robust intallation to just glue the whole thing down. If you used the Lift-A-Dot clip arrangement (4 per mat), does it work well?