12 replies to this topic

[RaLF020]

My 92 Cooper SPi has sound proofing foam on the bulkhead in the engine bay. It looks a right mess because the plastic lamiate coating that once covered it has long since flaked off. Has anyone removed the sound proofing and was it worth it? Should I remove the whole lot or will I regret it?

[s.parker]

i took all mine out because it was pretty much the same. basically was acting like a giant sponge. i was surprised at the condition of the paint underneath so i guess i got lucky and with a little clean the paint looked much nicer then the other stuff :)

as for the sound deadening qualities of it, i hardly noticed it getting louder when it was gone so i haven't felt the need to replace it

hope that helps

[RaLF020]

Thanks. Since I have the inlet&exhaust manifold off, now is the time to remove it so I think I will.

[Rich286]

I'v taken mine off for and it looks alot better and not rusty which i was expecting, havent put the car back together yet though so i dont no if it's made a difference. If you have a dash in your mini you could always put sound proofing in behind there agaist the inner side of the bulkhead. Got pics on my rebuild thread if you wanted to see

[Wakey-Dan]

I took mine off on our club annual run to Scarborough last year. A friend pulled alongside me, a panicked look on his face, screaming fire, fire! I pulled over and low and behold the sound deafening was billowing out black smoke and just glowing orange around the sides! It was just catching on my new maniflow manifold enough to catch fire. Managed to swiftly rip it out, no damage caused and yep it looks much nicer, dryer, no chance of setting no fire and I've noticed no difference in noise. It was loud before and its loud now.

[Rich286]

I took mine off on our club annual run to Scarborough last year. A friend pulled alongside me, a panicked look on his face, screaming fire, fire! I pulled over and low and behold the sound deafening was billowing out black smoke and just glowing orange around the sides! It was just catching on my new maniflow manifold enough to catch fire. Managed to swiftly rip it out, no damage caused and yep it looks much nicer, dryer, no chance of setting no fire and I've noticed no difference in noise. It was loud before and its loud now.

Sounds like you where lucky. If it's not making the noise any less it almost sounds pointless as you said with the fire and im sure it can also obsorb water which wont help with rust and it also looks nicer without

[bcjames]

I pulled mine out my MPi when it started to fall apart and I can't say as I noticed much difference in the sound levels. When I next have the dash apart I'm going to add something to the inside of the panel.

[nev_payne]

...and muggins here, decided it best to track down a bulkhead foam pad for sake of restoration....

[bcjames]

I thought about it, I do like the uniform black finish along the bulkhead.

[Steve&heather]

Hi could you tell me where you managed to get the bulkhead foam pad from. would like to replace ours

[zinzan]

I bought a roll of bonnet/engine insulation through a wholesale place online. Plenty to do the underside of the bonnet and the firewall for about CAD$20. It's the felt stuff with the foil on one side. Don't know if it does anything much (haven't fitted it yet...later this week) but worth a try.

[Steve&heather]

Hi thanks for getting back, but i was really looking for the same as the original to put back, black foam about an inch or so thick

[therealtomgunn]

Hey, did you manage to get all the soundproofing foam out? I'm thinking of doing it in my cooper too, although som of it looks pretty hard to get to. Was just wondering if yo just ripped it out or if yo had to remove some engine parts first? Cheers