DSE firewall plate questions

[Einstein1]

I have a couple of questions when you are putting on the dse firewall plate do you cut out the sheetmetal behind it? Do you have to just put a few tack welds and then seam seal it? Has anyone used fusor or glue to fuse it on, or is welding better?

Thanks for your help and if you have pictures that would be awesome.

Matt

[jy211]

we welded our in and then had the body shop smooth it all off...these are before an after...

[Einstein1]

Did you cut out the backside of the firewall?

Thanks Matt

Also are you running a/c

[jy211]

no we did not cut the backside. Just did some trimming...

Yes we will be. We may be running the lines under the bottom of the subframe...or along the inside of the fender....

[bretcopsey]

I made my own from 16ga, but it mimics the DSE piece. The only cutting I did was to remove the lip on the opening for the heater core and blower motor holes.

I tacked it in place then went back around and around again until it was fully welded. May be a little overkill, but I know that the filler will never crack due to the seam not being fully welded.

[Sparky67]

Actually, I prefer not seeing the factory seam. So I used 2 pieces of 16 gauge scrap metal (cost was about $12) and made a new firewall that won't have the factory seam. The fuse box will also be hidden, so you won't see the wires. Anyway, here is a few photos to show the work. Initially we was going to tack the sides in, but my friend thought I would prefer it to be welded in solid (shown in the last photo). Lot more work involved here, but the firewall will be painted the same as body color. Which is marina blue.


Jeff

[mikey]

Solid welds are the best way to go on a panel like that. I always bond on my roof and door skins way quicker and easier.

[datsbad]

I Think In Some Cases Depending On The Car A Factory Looking Seam Looks Good. If Its Kinda Stock Then Yeah But A Full Custom Car Looks Better With A Completely Smoothed Firewall .

[Davezz28]

I just made my own filler plate out of a piece of 16ga sheet. I used a panel adheasive to attach the plate and the excess that squished out around the edges were smoothed out to clean up the seam. I bonded the panel on due to it not being structural and by bonding it on, you remove the possiblility of the orig firewall vibrating and causing a sheetmetal "buzz" when the car is going down the road.