modernizing the interior?
 

Are there any kits or places that sell dashes that are a little more sleek and modern than the old 80's design?

This is what the interior looks like for me.

this is an old pic with the stock seats.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/82/dscn0166rw.jpg


this is a newer pic with firebird seats.

http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/IMG_0100.jpg

and this is just my car,Thats rain on it, not clearcoat peeling. lol

Attachment 375941

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

The 4th gen sears are a direct swap & many people have put in 4th gen dashes.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Seconded. Personally, I prefer the stock dash setup, but I've seen lots of 4th gen swaps.

Had some luck with racing seats, also. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...ng-racing.html Eventually latched the shoulder belts to the rear seatbelt anchors.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

ill have to check that out. How hard is it to do that swap?

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

seats are a direct bolt in. the dash requires a bit more work, but not impossible.
rewire all gauges, notch the 4th gen hvac ducts to match up to 3rd gen heater box, some custom brackets/notching to dash to mount to car

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

i perfer the stock 3rd gen set up...even tho i like the digital dash which mine didnt come with...but i like the orginiality of the car

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

This is an 80's car, therefore it will look like an 80's car.
If you want to keep your 3rd gen original looking - that is fine!

My 89 Formula will stay original looking
My 89 Camaro will not

Some have put 4th gen dash, seats and door panels in their 3rd gens,
but even though I can appreciate the work it took and the quality of the craftsmanship,
I think it looks out of place.

COLORS, COLORS, COLORS!!!

I am an automotive upholsterer.
The amount of people who want a black interior is something else.
I have the luxury of choosing what "projects" I want to undertake.
I turn most of the "I want it black" requests down.
The last one had red hounds tooth inserts with a red top stitch on the edge.
It looked good.

Choosing a different style of insert with a more modern appearance.
Newer cars are using hints of real wood and stainless in their interiors, why can't you?

Can someone please make a decent looking cup holder for the console!!
Relocate the power switches and recess a cup holder as low as it can go, so that a cup will not interfere with shifting!
I made a console once for a customer and ran a hose from his evaporator and
wrapped the area under the armrest with some tubing. He can keep a 6 pack of something cold as long as the a/c is running.

Think outside the norm
1000 shades of grey and black show NO original thought.

Your Camaro is Blue and grey, if you are keeping those colors
Put Dark Blue carpet in, may it wool (it will look more plush).
Go with a feaux leather in a more silver tint in it.
Go with a blue insert without all the pleats int it and get a bow tie, camaro or some logo embroidered on the seatback.

They have headliner material in suede now, it looks and feels good.
However I do not know how the color fade will hold up around the t-tops?

The door panels can be updated in the design department.

Now everything I just suggested may or may not fit your budget.
I am an upholsterer, it would be relatively easier for me.

Any ?'s in specific - just ask
I usually can guide most people through the "how to" on most things.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

If you do a little minor work to your firewall you can use the 4th gen ducting and have fully functional vents, not just the defrost and floor vents like if you use the 3rd gen ducting. I have a thread on here detailing exactly how to do such, with pics and measurements. It's a few hours work, but not a huge undertaking.Attachment 375767

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Nothing Says 80's Like FLAME RED... in a 91' Z

far and away the strangest interior I've ever seen, but it looks good on an arctic white camaro... (I have a hard top btw)

What would you charge to re-do the entire front seats (2) and just the tops of the rear seats.

Otherwise, in this case, I wonder what a set of black leather 4th gen seats would look like with the red carpet/panels... and cost a fraction of reupholstering ?????MAYBE????? guess it all depends on materials. HaTE to mess up a red leather interior. ha! If only mine looked like it lived in a garage for 20yrs like this one does. $$$$$$HOW MUCH$$$$$$

http://www.motortopia.com/cars/1992-...ail1.jpg-87255

http://www.motortopia.com/files/5321...Thumbnail1.jpg

http://www.motortopia.com/files/5321...Thumbnail1.jpg

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Flame red in a whiter convertible is traditional, for a convertible.
Maybe changing to white seats with some red topstitch or accenting would soften it up?
White seats are not that hard to keep clean, but have them upholstered in a marine grade vinyl!! It handles the heat, direct sunlight and water much better and longer than automotive grade

Between work, some small local side jobs and my 3 F-bodies not running....
I would not be able take on any other projects for now.

But I hope this information will help with your decision:

Typically Front bucket seats would charge from $350 on up, depending on the type of material (vinyl or leather)
and anything extra needed for or to the seat. (foam, structure repair, etc).

Re upholstering the upper rear seat would be around $200 ish, depending on material,
but keep in mind that matching the original red vinyl/leather bottoms that have
color faded over the years would be iffy at best.
Also not many good upholsterers will repair a section of a leather/vinyl seat that is that old.
The whole seat back would have to be replaced.

Front and rear seats, your lookin at $800 and up.

These are round about estimates that you may look to pay at a upholstery shop. Most upholstery shops will not give you a price until they can inspect the seats in person.

Keep in mind when you "bolt in" 4th gen seats. They are getting older too.
Maybe a few years newer, but that vinyl and leather will crack or tear in time as well.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

lol flame red..my friends 83 cross fire camaro had that interior...good ole days

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

I'm trying to go for sexy, not flaming gay.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

He was giving you good advice. That is not flaming gay. Theyre good ideas. Grow up. Or you could mount in a NOS decal on your fenders,your horn,your dash,your windows,and get some Eclipse seats if youd like? Also heard that Jegs is having a sale on blow off valves!

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

thank you 88transamguy for your defense
Sometimes a polite "thank you for the suggestion,
but I am going in a different direction...."
Would be better than a "flaming gay" opinion
That was just my opinion or suggestion,
which you, Nathan Lewis, will no longer get from me.

Me and my customers have won numerous trophies ranging from local/regional shows
to the world of wheels. I have been doing this for over 20 years,
but thank you for setting me "straight".
(unusually bad pun intended)

I hope your car turns out as you want it.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

No problem man. Let him go raid the 5 cent store for some interior mods. Youve lost all respect.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

I can't understand why a cupholder is so important to some people.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Seriously dude? Your going to insult someone who sat down and gave you his time to write all that trying to help you and make suggestions? Really?? Keep that up and you won't survive on this board, to get help, suggestions, and respect around here you have to give them back aswell. Not insulting someone

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Wait, are you talking about me or this NathanLewis? People's affinity for cupholders in a sports car just baffles me.:confused:

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Nathen

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

I dont know about you but its where I put my beer when i'm taking my car off of some sweet jumps..... duh:rolleyes:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

every time I get handed a drink in a drive through with a 5 spd and just have no idea what to do

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

gah I love the interior of my car.

But I have a 92. I think the 82-89 Dash doesnt look quite as good as the 90-92 dash. The only thing I hate is my airbag steering wheel.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

And in this thread, people get butthurt.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

I applaud your push for better variety in interiors.

:goodjob:

Can you elaborate on availability of wool carpeting for floorpans that didn't get it as OEM? Does it have to be stitched together in-shape to fit? Or?

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Well, Nathan, my boy, seems as if you are a severe homophobe. Or else you are misdirecting your own sexuality. I'm guessing the latter. lol! I bet the only way your car would be "sexy" is if you were nowhere near it.

Now on to more pertinent advice, if you don't want people's opinions, don't ask. Do what you want to your car, you are the one driving it, make it the way you are most comfortable.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

if you like 4th gen seats and want them to match ezsofttops has a reupholstering kit for 97-02 4th gen seats that is torch red its 489 plus shipping you would remove the old 4th gen seat covers and put on ur new oneson there Hampton Leatherette if you

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

Actually, the term is pretty common - Butthurt that is - for the internet, at least. It means spanked.

I think he was expecting a board full of other... teenagers. As a twenty something dude, I feel like the youngest person on these boards sometimes - which is great, really. Experience and knowledge here is unmatched in any textbook or repair manual. Overly sensitive? Eh. Sometimes.

Re: modernizing the interior?
 

22 right here bro, and I apologize to anyone who cried tears all over their keyboard.


What I should have said, Is, no thank you man but Your interior recommendations don't suit my personal taste. Have a nice day sir.



Now, lets all be friends again. :)