Hey guys,

I am in the process of finishing off the design for my firewall after I cut into it to fit the water to air intercooler. It's in a type 1/ beetle.
When discussing the final design with some friends they suggested that if I use flat metal at certain frequencies I may get a really bad vibration noise through the metal.
I was wondering if other people had experienced any problems with this and whether I need to get metal bent to avoid this? Either get those pressed hot rod style piece or something else?
One other thought, which I'm thinking is the easiest is the use of steel checkaplate. Just putting it out there for any thoughts or whether it is really an issue or not.

Cheers

Richard

Yeah, flat metal "drums" a lot easier than metal with bends or pressings in it.

Don't know that using checker would really solve it at all... normal solution with cars is to use decent sound deadening material, something along the lines of Dynamat to add mass to the panel and so reduce the effect.

http://www.dci.com.au/services/thermal_acoustic_shielding 

I was told because of the diagonal patten on the checkaplate it would stop the vibrations as much as the flat surface.
I will be using Dynamat sound proofing as well as their insulation kits as I can get them from work but just wondering whether I really need to worry about using flat metal or should I really get stuff with bends pre made?

Cheers for your answers so far.

Richard

Hi

A good sheetie can put a diamond/X bend in a flat panel with a folder, that is like a shallow bend from corner to corner forming an X. The biggest issue would be heat.

Steve