Heat insulation
 

I am building a track/street FC.

I removed all the sound deadening stuff from the floorboards but didn't realize just how HOT the transmission tunnel gets. This wouldn't really be that much of a problem except when it comes to passengers. The left side of the passenger footwell, right about where the catalytic converter is, gets way to hot and I don't want anyone riding with me to burn their leg.

So what I want to do is cover the entire trans tunnel with some sort of heat resistant substance that will allow someone to touch the trans tunnel without any discomfort after the engine has been running for a significant amount of time. And I guess I'll throw some light carpet or something over it to make it look nice.

But what can I buy that will meet my heat blocking needs? Any advise would be appreciated.

keep the stock heat shield on.. maybe make another one.. why the hell do u have a cat in a "track" car?

The heat shield is still on there, and the cat is necessary for street driving. If, for some reason, out of the blue, against all odds, a cop pulls me over and looks under the car, I don't want to have to pay the fine.

well move the cat farther down then to the rear

try regular "heavy" fibreglass matting (which isn't very heavy for the amount you're gonna use), or some of that reflective insulating stuff on the underside of the tunnel.

By 'fiberglass matting' you mean like the matting behind the dashboard on the firewall? Thats a good idea. Maybe I could find some about half as thick.

On a related note, what kind of adhesive do you think would be best?

Remove the stock heat shield clean the muck off and apply a layer of foil backed fiberglass cloth. Use the "super90" not the "77" spray adhiesive from the home Depot racing department. It will make a world of difference. If it is still too hot use another layer on the underside of the tunnel. Hard part is getting it clean enough to make the adhiesive work. BTW if you car is a turbo and it is running lean you will notice it in the temp of the floor. Also make sure your pipe connection at the converter are air tight. A small leak will act like a blow torch.

The cat does leak at the flanges. It's a cheapo so it was really hard to line up the gaskets right.
Your Home Depot has a racing aisle?

The leaks are what's doing it. I had the top of the muffler split open on the race car last year. It was under the car where a cat would be normally. Halfway through the race the paint on the floor actually ignited! Kind of hard to drive wile you are patting out the flames on the floor, so my race was run. Get those leaks fixed up and it will all be good.

Thanks for the advise (except btcy), I'll deffinetly take care of that cat problem. I'll probably still end up doing a little more to battle heat anyway.