[rikeys]

Anyone AutoFoam their car?
if yes please post results here for others to read

[Udaloy]

Hi Rikeys,

I Autofoam-ed my car about almost a month back. One of my friends did his
car up and told me his results. That prompted me to do up my car too. After
all, I have been looking around for ways to improve the comfort level in my
car (a more solid feel and quieter interior) and this comes as one of the
best available option to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Plus, there is no
weight penalty, another factor to consider.

I took the basic package covering the side sills, B and A pillars and for
about 1060 (or 1080... misplaced my receipt). It is 800 if you want to do
the sills and B pillar only. For 2 door cars like the Satria, the package
is different. For that, you will need to talk to Desmond, the owner of KL
Auto. The job is quickly done, within 2 hrs. Don't worry about the wait
there, as Desmond will treat you well. Anyway, here is my feedback on the
results.

The first thing I noticed was the reduced road noise. It is not by all
means a huge reduction, but significant enough to fool my senses. In fact,
I was driving faster thinking that I am at my usual speed prior to the
foaming, and have to adjust to the new sound level to slow down. It is also
quieter while going over pavement roads (section of roads with the tiled
bricks) and yellow lines. With the hollow sections of the car filled up,
sound waves are unable to travel proper and amplify, hence the improved
comfort. Even my ICE sounds better, especially for the lower frequency output.

Initially, the handling improvement was not really felt, but after a few
days (about 4-5 days onwards), when the foam hardens proper, that is where
the fun begins. With less flex from the frame, the car feels more solid.
More important, the steering is more precise. I now dare to take corners at
much higher speeds than before, thanks to the better steering response. In
fact, the improvement exposes the limitations of my 13" rollers. I know
definitely if my car is shod with 15" alloys and low profile tyres... the
foam job will be the icing to the cake! Additionally, it makes outstation
drive more relaxed and less straining for the driver.

The foam job did open my eye to the way cars are being assembled, which I
would like to share with you all, especially with other Wira owners.

When the B pillar plastics were removed, I saw the metal sheets and joints.
Believe me, they look flimsy and thin. I guess this is a common design with
Japanese cars of the same era (check out the demo B pillar at Desmond's
place, taken from a Honda Civic, looks just as "hollow"). With the foam
job, it should reinforce the B pillar section a fair bit as well as extra
protection from side impact (touch wood of course). A day after the job was
done, there was a small leakage of foam at one of the joints on the left
side sill near the left rear tyre well. As result, a small clump about the
size of a 5 sen coin was formed outside the sill. I waited for the clump to
harden before I dislodge it. At least I know that that section is now
properly sealed.

There are 2 more packages to explore for those who seriously wants more
from the ride and handling department. If your budget is 1500 plus, you can
take the basic package with rear section done up. It is claimed to improve
handling further by reducing understeer. For those with sporty exhaust, it
also helps to cut down on the noise from the rear muffler. Then there is
also the front section, which is the engine bay job. Again, you will need
to find out more from Desmond. My objective is not on outright handling
improvement, therefore I did not venture further.

To sum things up, the results will depend on the make and design of the
car. So far, I am alright with my own car. My friend’s car is a Vios, and
he is also happy with the results. If you have the budget, and yours is a
new car (preferably), you can go for the basic and rear package. If you are
not too sure, try out the basic package first, get a feel of it, and then
go back for more if you think it is good.

Cheers mate

[drexchan]

finally you are here for your technical review..

might do it next month and i need your assistance to go to KL auto.. They
have a website?

[choiheng]

amazing,

every month you sure mod something to your wise. me collecting $$$ to
upgrade suspension

[drexchan]

read my lips: M.I.G.H.T..

hehe!! gonna pokkai soon..

[drexchan]

something to share:

urethane foam once set is permanent. In case of an accident, the foam
cannot be repaired and it my be necessary to replace the entire panel
that was foam injected.

[Udaloy]

Hi Drex,

No prob. Will be glad to show you the way there. With regards to the
webpage, nope they don't have one.

You are right about the urethane foam. It is a one-time application only.
The foam is injected into the hollow sections of the car chassis. If the
accident is a bad one (say a side impact) that damages the main
body/chassis injected with the foam, definitely the urethane foam will
have to be reinjected to the replaced section.

Then again, if it is a bad accident, most likely the car will be either
written-off or sold-off after the repair job.

Cheers mate

[drexchan]

is chassis replaceable?

[GuyM]

How will the water sip out ie through the doors if the holes are seal by
this foam and how can you ensure that the foam doesn't block the holes to
allow water to sip out?

Spoke to DAG in Batu Tiga Shah Alam abt soundproofing the whole G2 and
the cost is RM630.00. Takes abt 4 hours to complete the following:

Rooftop.
Front & back fenders.
Front & back bonnet.
Front & back doors.

Total is 36 pieces of high quality insulon with 68 density materials.

What you all think?

Cheers!

[drexchan]

GuyM,

autofoam is injected into the monocock CHASIS not the door.