Heater or No Heater

[Mike.Bray]

I ordered the heater/defroster from FFR for my roadster and it's on my POL list. Now my wife and I keep debating whether we should even bother with it, admittingly working in 100 degree heat in the garage at the moment is swaying our decision. I had a heater in a 32 highboy roadster once and I don't remember it doing very much.

We live in Texas and we do have "cold" weather but only for about 4 days a year. I am installing seat heaters which the general opinion seems to be they're more effective than the conventional heater.

I also like the looks/simplicity of not having a heater.

All-knowing and experienced forum members, what are your thoughts and opinions?

[john42]

I’m in New England. Heater required! Only way to extend the months of available driving.

For you, resale value is about the only reason I can think of. Or if you ever move to another climate with cooler days.

[NC Cobra]

Engine does a pretty darn good job of keeping things warm here in NC. Think you will be ok since we always had ice on cold days in Dallas and you do not want to have that car out on ice.

[RJD]

Seat heaters and the heat off the engine is enough for comfortable cruising in the fall and early spring here in northern Virginia.

[Derald Rice]

I am in Colorado, and I had a Vintage Air heater for about 15 years.....It was sorta like
a fart in the wind.

Then when I did a re-wire, I took it out and installed seat heaters, which work far better
than the vintage air unit ever did.

Unless a heater / defroster is required by Texas, keep it simple with the seat heaters.

[egchewy79]

I have both seat heaters and heater here in ohio. Extends the driving season a couple of months for me. I’d likely pass if I lived in Texas

[racingandfishing]

In the old days a heater was helpful in an emergency for an overheating car. I would probably still put it in just for that reason!

[Papa]

No heater in mine in Colorado. I did seat heaters, and they do great in cool temps. Keep in mind that we have very little humidity in Colorado, so fogging windshields are rare in any typical weather where I'd want to drive the car.

[edwardb]

I built three Roadsters for Michigan driving with only seat heaters. We drove when in the 40's and stayed reasonably comfortable. My advice is always if you plan on adding a top at some point, a heater/defroster is important. Without a top, not so much. BTW, if well insulated and sealed, no reason for the engine to be heating the cockpit.

[TMartinLVNV]

I'm in Las Vegas and I love having the heater. It really extends the driving season. When driving in cold weather, it is great to be able to put your hands right up to the vents and warm them right up. I also have seat heaters. They help, but can also just back your backside start to sweat.

[Railroad]

Put in a high amp lighter plug and buy an electric blanket for Ma Ma. Seat heaters should do the rest. Warm in Alabama.

[MisterAdam]

Don’t bother. In New Hampshire and just have seat heaters that allow me to drive from April thru October. The engine also throws off a lot of heat.

[skidd]

Motorcycle Electric Vest.
I've driven in 30F with it and my ski jacket.
Works fantastic! If you need to handle colder, add electric gloves and pants too.

[Mike.Bray]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Since I won't have a top I've decided not to install a heater.

[Walt]

Mike, what part of Texas are you in? I'm in east by College Station and I have a ffr heater you can have if you change your mind.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Not a necessity in NC but did install the heater based on experience with some British roadsters in the early 1960's. Those cars all had tonneau covers in addition to the roof. Found the cover held the heat in the cockpit very well. Works for the Cobra.

FWIW on a Coyote installing an electric bypass valve & an intake plug or tape over the intake for the summer is a good plan

[nolemons]

Question for those of you down South/South West (Texas to Arizona). Do you find the engine heat passing through the firewall/dash pleasant in the winter and excruciating in the summer? If I just add further dynamat it will be a bit chilly in the winter.

Thoughts?

[john42]

Question for those of you down South/South West (Texas to Arizona). Do you find the engine heat passing through the firewall/dash pleasant in the winter and excruciating in the summer? If I just add further dynamat it will be a bit chilly in the winter.

Thoughts?

Heh, I'm in NH and I found the heat passing through from the engine to be terrible. I've successfully sealed my foot boxes and dash up and now if I want heat I turn the heater on!

[GoDadGo]

Being from the Deep South near New Orleans I stupidly created and installed a heater to heat my wife's feet.

We've NEVER used it because it is usually quite warm where we live, but it looks cool and works well.

Chevy Cobra Custom Heater Link:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=982

[ptstew]

I live in Houston and definitely use the heater in the winter. I did not install defrosters and instead ran a hose from the defrost feed to just above my lap.

[Hoooper]

Northern CA, gets a lot colder than where you are if youre in an area of TX thats only cold 4 days a year. Never felt the need for heat here but I do choose not to drive it when cooler than 50F if I can help it, but have driven to a couple track days when it was 45F and its bearable. You could add an operable vent in the footwell that opens to the engine bay, that would keep you plenty warm when needed without any of the added cost, complexity, and weight of a heater

[Cobradavid]

Question for those of you down South/South West (Texas to Arizona). Do you find the engine heat passing through the firewall/dash pleasant in the winter and excruciating in the summer? If I just add further dynamat it will be a bit chilly in the winter.

Thoughts?

I'm in League City (south of Houston). I installed insulation on the firewall, footbox panels, and transmission tunnel to try to keep the heat OUT of the cockpit because we see many more hot days than cold. I also installed a footbox blower to bring fresh air into the footbox. I have a hose that gets air from the brake cooling opening at the front of the car and a blower fan. I made a large valve that blocks off the airflow in the winter. I run the fan when stopped in traffic - otherwise the ram air coming in the brake cooling opening is enough to blow air into the footbox when the car is moving.

I have a heater/defroster kit and that helps keep things comfortable for the cold days. It also helps defrost the windshield on the cool, humid mornings we have here.

I also have ventilated/heated seat liners which help with comfort. The ventilate function is great on hot days and the seat heat function is great on cold days.

David

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Question for those of you down South/South West (Texas to Arizona). Do you find the engine heat passing through the firewall/dash pleasant in the winter and excruciating in the summer? If I just add further dynamat it will be a bit chilly in the winter.

Thoughts?

Covered engine side of the firewall with self-adhesive Reflectix thermal insulating material. Then searched around by hand & filled any leak points with whatever seem best for the particular leak. With vented air from the brake slots car is comfortable in the NC summer. Heater covers the winter.