Firewall forward to inner footbox panel.

[Blue Viking]

The Firewall forward panel comes with a seal to close the gap between it and the driver side inner footbox panel. I am thinking it will be better to make some aluminium angles to join them and seal the gap instead. Any thoughts?

[David Hodgkins]

When I go my Firewall forward I also go a new inner footbox panel and top panel. Is that still an option?

:)

[Blue Viking]

When I go my Firewall forward I also go a new inner footbox panel and top panel. Is that still an option?

:)

Have no idea, didn't know there were such a thing. My Firewall came with a bulb seal on the driver side end, which will somewhat seal against the side of the footbox side panel.

[David Hodgkins]

Have no idea, didn't know there were such a thing. My Firewall came with a bulb seal on the driver side end, which will somewhat seal against the side of the footbox side panel.

Maybe I'm confused. You said "Firewall Forward" so I assumed you meant an aftermarket product sold by FFMetal.

:)

[Blue Viking]

Yep, that's the one. I'll see if I can get some pics tomorrow, bedtime for me now.

[magicmarto]

I have this option and love it
So much more room. I am currently using the bulb seal. I do like your idea of adding some angle aluminum there. Let me know what you decide.
Martin

[Blue Viking]

Took some pictures today. In addition to a positive seal, i figure the firewall will become much more rigid with it attached to the inner footbox panel instead of floating above it. I think i'll give it a try.
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[phileas_fogg]

FFMetal changed the design of the Firewall Forward kit to accommodate the Coyote aluminum. It's likely that David's Firewall Forward is a different configuration than Oystein's.


John

[Blue Viking]

FFMetal changed the design of the Firewall Forward kit to accommodate the Coyote aluminum. It's likely that David's Firewall Forward is a different configuration than Oystein's.


John

Bought mine around June 2019.

[DadofThree]

The Firewall forward panel comes with a seal to close the gap between it and the driver side inner footbox panel. I am thinking it will be better to make some aluminium angles to join them and seal the gap instead. Any thoughts?

I like the new design with the bulb seal. It looks great. The FFMetal website mentions the forward piece is twice as thick as the original firewall piece. That's nice.

I think that bulb seal will be plenty to seal, and am not sure how the angle would help. The same bulb seal will be used over the top of the firewall to seal against the body. Carry on.

[Blue Viking]

I like the new design with the bulb seal. It looks great. The FFMetal website mentions the forward piece is twice as thick as the original firewall piece. That's nice.

I think that bulb seal will be plenty to seal, and am not sure how the angle would help. The same bulb seal will be used over the top of the firewall to seal against the body. Carry on.

Yes the Firewall forward is very thick and sturdy. I think the original design with the bulb seal is plenty Ok, but I think I will try this mod anyway. If I can't make it look good, I'll just not install it.

[Bill_VA]

Guys, yes, back in the MK3 days, the Firewall Forward kit came with several other panels, I have them in my car. When FFmetal changed hands (to me), I wanted to offer a firewall forward but FFR wasn't consistent enough with their foot box panels, different panels for different engines. So I thought long and hard about the best was to get it done and keep it simple. The version I sell now is just that, simple and effective. The stock aluminum is .040 thick, mine is .090! Nice and sturdy for heaters, mechanical throttle linkages, and such. I have them in stock and ready to ship at www.ffmetal.com.

[Blue Viking]

Guys, yes, back in the MK3 days, the Firewall Forward kit came with several other panels, I have them in my car. When FFmetal changed hands (to me), I wanted to offer a firewall forward but FFR wasn't consistent enough with their foot box panels, different panels for different engines. So I thought long and hard about the best was to get it done and keep it simple. The version I sell now is just that, simple and effective. The stock aluminum is .040 thick, mine is .090! Nice and sturdy for heaters, mechanical throttle linkages, and such. I have them in stock and ready to ship at www.ffmetal.com.

The fit of ‘this panel is perfect, and loads more sturdy than the stock panel. I got it for more space behind the dash and rigidity to support the Forte mechanical throttle linkage. I grabbed a beer and went to the garage last night to contemplate this mod. I am not so sure anymore.

[jrcuz]

I got either the first or second of Bill's new firewall forward pieces and I'm very happy with it.
JR

[Caddy Dad]

I recently purchased the firewall forward kit and now getting ready to install it. Is there any impact to mounting the windshield wipers?
Thanks!

[rich grsc]

No, it'll be fine. I made my own, and didn't have any clearance problems.

[Blue Viking]

Update: I mocked up some aluminium before i installed the firewall, and decided it didn't look any better that the bulb seal, and since it is really nice and thick, didn't see a problem with rigidity either, so i ended up using the bulb seal that was provided with the panel. One thing i did do was cutting away the bottom part of the "grip area" of the bulb seal where it went under the firewall panel, as it prevented it from laying completely flat on the frame. I then cut a small strip of aluminium that i riveted on top of the bulb seal in that spot to keep it in place.

[Blue Viking]

Here's a pic

[canuck1]

I'm sure that will function just fine. No negative I can think of. I have the earlier version in my MK III chassis and it remains one of the mods I'm most grateful for. Whether just a little more space for heater/glovebox clearance or extra room for serviceable access to behind the dash components, the Firewall Forward concept remains a smart idea to recapture otherwise wasted real estate.

Sean

[Bill_VA]

Update: I mocked up some aluminium before i installed the firewall, and decided it didn't look any better that the bulb seal, and since it is really nice and thick, didn't see a problem with rigidity either, so i ended up using the bulb seal that was provided with the panel. One thing i did do was cutting away the bottom part of the "grip area" of the bulb seal where it went under the firewall panel, as it prevented it from laying completely flat on the frame. I then cut a small strip of aluminium that i riveted on top of the bulb seal in that spot to keep it in place.

Nice install! Glad it worked well for you.