Hardtop lining

[lou_m]

I've recently got a hardtop but it is unlined. I'm looking to get it lined to help retain the miniscule amout of heat that a VX heater emits. Any suggestions who to try, preferably in the Fife area?

[Jacobite]

I once lined a Land Rover hard top with karriemat sleeping mat foam with good effect both reducing condensation and heat loss, just using contact adhesive ~ so might be worth a try although I dont know any trim shops to line it

[lou_m]

Interesting idea! Might see if I can get it flocked.

[Ferg]

I think flocking is only valid on a rigid surface so not suitable for over the top of a foam lining. AFAIK.

[lou_m]

Fair point. I wonder if flocking would give much in the way of insulation? What kind of lining does an Elise hardtop come with?

[Ferg]

Flock is comparable to paint insulation wise. The standard hard tops have an internal skin on which some rudimentary lining is glued. It's having the space between the inner and outer shell that provides the insulation I would think.

[Tommy Twist]

Not trying to be funny, but if heat retention is a major concern, have you considered a double-skinned soft top, as fitted to S2 Elise "Touring" models?

Mine holds heat well enough for the interior to get properly toasty, without requiring the fan to be kept on "full gut", even during cold weather like we've had recently...

[lou_m]

I've bought an additional liner for my soft top from a guy on the VX forum and it did make quite a difference. Now that I have a hard top id like to get something similar. The roof is double skinned. The heaters on VX's are quit a bit smaller from what others have said and there are a few folk working on trying to improving the heaterbox but until that happens, VX owners will shiver through the winter months.

[alicrozier]

Maybe this stuff:
http://www.dynamat.com/products_automot ... liner.html

(I have it in the 2-11 wheelarches for stone protection but it has good thermal properties)

Can get it on ebay...

[lou_m]

That looks ideal! Thanks!

[Corranga]

I thought the VX heater box mod was fairly well documented (or are you talking about the full replacing the matrix mod, rather than the remove it, seal it all up, and re-fit it mod?)

The Vx heater is absolutely abysmal at actually heating anything. I drove to Livingston in Erica's when there was LOTS of snow around a couple of years back with my gloves resting on my legs to keep them warmer!

Conversely, the s1 heater constantly wants to burn your left leg, even when turned down

What about some plug in and hang over the head rest heated seat covers or something. I *think* Sanjoy might have done something like this for the 340r?

Chris