I'm about to get some new carpet from Rockauto and not sure If I need mass backing. I plan on undercoating the floor and using sound dampener like dynamat or whatever. From what I understand, mass backing helps insulate and makes the carpet more durable?. I feel like it would be too thick with dampener and backing. Appreciate any advice.

 

Well I found this, so I guess it works ok...

 

I don't DD my car, but I've never had issues with NO mass backing on my replacement carpet. If it was a DD, or a 1000 point restoration, or if you have a specific reason for needing it you may feel differently, but mine feels, looks, and has worn (very little) just fine over the years.

 

What did you decide to do?
I'm trying to figure out the same.....regular backing with sound deadening, or mass backing carpet.
Any pics either way?

 

I have no mass backing, I did not realize it when I bought the carpet. I wish it had the backing but too lazy and cheap to buy a different one.

 

Due to finances and fixing the floorpans taking forever I never ordered anything. I was planning on getting carpet with mass backing so I could save money (and time) on sound dampening costs.

 

Why do you wish it had it now?


Yeah, that's the reason I'm asking. I'm trying to figure out which is the better route to go. My car is going to be a DD and I'd like it to be as quiet and heat/cold resistant as I can within reason.

 

Did the original carpet from the factory have the mass backing? That's what I wanna know.

 

Yes it did.

 

I'm not sure I would really say the factory used mass backing. They used a ton of jute pads that are generally bonded to the carpet and need to be replaced. The areas that really generate noise, the factory used heavy jute with a rubber coating. You'll see those pads on the firewall down to the floor pan joint, and on top of the rear wheel wells.

Mass backing wasn't a thing the last time I put aftermarket carpet in a thirdgen. I haven't had that carpet out since about 1999, but I'd be willing to bet the jute didn't go back in the car, and I know the carpet isn't mass backed, it's not remotely a noisy car.

 

My 86 TA had the mass backing with the jute padding attached from the factory on the whole carpet.

 

MY 84 L69 had mass backing factory. After the new carpet I noticed a lot more road noise and engine noise. It is not terrible but I do wish I had shelled out the etra $50 or so to do it right.

 

My 82 had the mass backing. It looked a little different then the one being used on the replacements. From what I remember reading on here, the carpet is kind of flimsy without the mass backing and had more of a tendency to wrinkle when installing it. The carpet with the mass back laid out nice for the most part.

 

I removed my original carpet with jute, cleaned the carpet and removed the jute. I added in sound dedener (medium thickness). When I reinstalled the carpet without the jute it was quite "slim".. The carpet did not press up against the bottom of the center console, so the center console kinda looked like it was floating...
The interior is now pulled apart again, going to add padding to "beef" the carpet up again before I put everything back together.

 

 

I'm somewhat concerned as I'm getting ready to order new gray carpet for my 89 Firebird. Back in 2007, I ordered tan carpet with matching floor mats from 1A Auto for my 82 Trans Am and it came with mass backing and jute padding attached. I'm wondering if the carpets today still come with the jute padding as well? Anyone know?

 

I put mass backing carpet in my 86 trans am a couple months ago. the way I saw it was, If I'm gonna rip my whole interior out then I might as well get the mass backing so I don't regret not getting it once the interior is all back together. an extra $50 isn't really that much.

 

Hi there,
I tried the ACC carpet from Rock Auto, seemed a pretty good price. I got the standard type (NOT mass-backing) and laid it over the original carpet. I had to trim off the jute padding under the driver's footwell, because it was too thick to fit under the gas pedal.


I liked the non-padded carpet better, it seems to conform more easily to the shape of the footwells. However, if you are removing the original carpet, you might want the mass backing.

 

Here are some pics of my new carpet installed. First I took out the original carpet, and cleaned it as best I could. Then I put in some thermal barrier called Thermo-tek from Walmart. Then I re-installed the original carpet. On top of that I installed the new carpet. I did not get the mass backing carpet, just the standard kind. I had to peel off the jute backing from the new carpet under the gas pedal because it didn't fit. Take a look at the fit in the driver's footwell, and the trunk area. It laid pretty flat.


And the car is now VERY quiet!

 

We carry the ACC carpet kits with and without the mass backing.

Tony