[ERA Chas]

You asked for opinions, here are mine based on long-time ownership.

Originally Posted by Mooch

I have a ton of questions, but here are the two foremost in my mind as trivial as they are. I don’t think there are right answers, so I’m really looking for opinions.

1) I’m planning on spraying the entire interior and trunk with Second Skin Audio Spectrum and Firewall for noise and heat suppression prior to carpet. I’m going to do undercoating/bedliner in the wheel wells. At the time it goes to paint, CT Custom Car can finish the inside of the trunk lid vs. covering it with the felt liner provided by ERA. So, do I have them finish it or do I noise suppress the trunk lid and cover it? Would the noise suppression make much of difference on the trunk lid?

Use any finish you like but forget noise suppression. It's worthless on an open car with outside exhausts. Save the money. Regular undercoat is lighter than bed liner and works fine-mine is 18 years old and the fenders do not have rock marks.

2) This one is a little more controversial in my head and I keep flip flopping between the two options. I want to drive the car year-round. While I do live in FL and it is usually a balmy 80 degrees here, it does get relatively cool here in the winter at times. Also, I may be moving back up north in the next few years depending on employment. I am getting the heater/defroster mostly for state requirements should I move, as I know it doesn’t really do much to keep you warm. That’s why I’m considering installing seat heaters, with the switches integrated into the dash if I can use Lucas switches, otherwise under the dash if I need to use the aftermarket switches. Part of me says it would be nice to have the heaters; the other part says it goes against the idea of the replica and just adds complexity to what is a beautifully simple car.

There is a more compelling reason than personal comfort to not do this stuff-engine life and performance. Oil never gets to safe operating temps in 50 deg and lower temps.
See this page or the whole thread for a thorough discussion of the situation:
ERA 753 - Final Assembly in Progress

This applies where ever you live. There is no effective way to keep temp in the oil-more so if you have an aluminum Pond. You already want a remote filter, cooler and lines. You will read how that drains heat from the oil. Just don't drive below about 50 deg and your motor will live a long time.

I'd also like to be able to drive it without worrying about the frequent rain here in FL, so the idea of a bare interior vs. removable carpet is a consideration and I wonder if seat heaters would complicate this.

The reason not to drive in the rain is you have zero traction-don't care what tires you pick. You can't merge into traffic full of Hyundais going 80 with 600 Lb Ft of torque and zero traction. Ask me how I know and I've only tried it with 550 Lb Ft.
Even with a top you get water on the INSIDE of the windshield and a wet a$$. The reason for un-needed seat heaters is covered above. Best luck-ERA's are wonderful-keep it simple.