Hey guys, I'm going to order a new carpet for my 91 Trans Am soon from Hawks. I just wanted to double check the accuracy of their ordering chart to make sure I get the right color. My car has the tan interior and the closest color to that according to their chart would be the "Med Doeskin/7295." Is that the way to go to stay true to the original?

And would it be a good idea to throw in the "mass backing?" They say it's good for insulation and molding. Sounds like a decent investment but I thought I'd ask first.

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/carpet_1.aspx

 

I know we're not Hawks, but we do offer carpet as well. If you're looking to match colors, we can always send you samples to match to your current carpet.

As for mass backing, some people like it, some don't.
Advantages - more insulation, a bit of road noise dampening
Disadvantages - less flexible, added price

My *personal* preference is going with a standard backing carpet and using a sound deadning product like raammat/dynamat. Easier installation with the carpet, better job with quieting rattles/road noise, and better insulating

 

I looked at the video of your car. Your interior looks like Beechwood. The closest match to Beechwood is the 9205 Cognac. It is a bit darker then original, but actually matches better with the seats. There is no exact match. ACS had an exact match, but when ACC took them over, they did away with the Beechwood color.
As far as the mass backing, it is worth getting it. The original carpet had it, and the fit is better with it. But you have to install it on a hot day, and leave the carpet out in the sun for an hour or 2 so the mass backing softens up and fits properly.
Nice car BTW.

 

BTW - no offense to 1A, as they have great customer service, but if you are going to get samples, get them directly from ACC. They will send you as many as you need for free, and there is no obligation to buy from them. Their samples are larger then any of the other companies will send you. The samples I got from 1A were small. ACC sent me samples that are about 2"x2". They all sell the same stuff, so the sample you get from ACC will cross over if you buy from Hawks or 1A. Just go by the ID number.

 

Sorry for the late reply but thanks for the info guys! Dan, I'll call you guys tomorrow to get some of those samples. I was hoping to get this carpet sooner (considering that this thread is almost half a year old) but I held off and now that I'll be tearing the interior apart soon for a 5-speed swap I figured I might as well get a fresh carpet too.

 

I second the mass backing,especially on a vert or T Top car.The mass backing also keeps the rain and leaks from going through to the floor pans.I've been caught in a couple of storms over the years(forgot to put the T Tops on and it poured overnight)

 

I disagree on the mass backing. I installed new carpet from 1A over the winter - thank you very much - and I think thinner carpet is easier to install over an insulating/sound deadening material layed down first. I used Thermo-Tec. Its easier getting out wrinkles and installing an insulating/sound deadener first gives you the opportunity to insulate thsoe hard to get areas, the nooks and crannies that carpet can't cover well.

 

^^Agree

fatmat/dynamat/lizardskin or whatever your preference is and then the carpet without the backing.

 

And the final result is the same as Mass Backing.

 

As far as thickness perhaps....sound deadening and heat reflection...hardly.