c5racr1

Thinking of one on my Z06. Is it worth it or snake oil?

RicK T

Lots of divergent opinions on their value, either as a heat reducer for the console area or for chassis stiffening. My opinion only, a Z06 might be the best candidate for adding chassis stiffness considering the aluminum frame......but I don't really know.

Here's a recent discussion:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...el-plates.html

timd38

The Z06 has a fixed roof, so you have "bridge" over the top. Non Z06 models are like convertibles, so logic says it should make a difference in non Z06 applications. But like Rick T says, lots of opinions.

I have one, and my Snicker bars don't melt any more and you can open the doors if one corner is jacked up.

Bill Dearborn

I don't see opening doors as any particular indicator as to the value of this MOD. I have been able to open and close the doors on all but one of my Vettes with one corner jacked up all the way. 69 Roadster couldn't do it, 71 CPE, 86 Cpe, 97, 03Z and C6Z no problem.


Bill

timd38

Your C6 had fixed roofs, so I am not surprised.

ErnieN85

yes but nothing in the roof they still moved around
the C6 is the only one with a frame in there

timd38

He has a Z06 and they have structure in the roof, unlike the base, GS and convertible.

ErnieN85

I was refering to Bills C5s
sorry if you didn't get that

timd38

His 03Z was a fixed roof as well.

Larry Myers

I installed Elite Engineering's insulated tunnel plate primarily in an effort to reduce interior heat.

My observation is the aftermarket piece did little or nothing to improve either issue. Although I never considered stiffness a problem. When jacking the car when one wheel comes off the ground, I give the jack a couple more pumps and the remaining wheel on that side also comes off the ground. Opening or closing the doors with the car in this configuration has never been a problem

We, for the most part, cured the interior heat with a custom made thermal blanket installed between the tunnel plate and the midpipe. Blanket is similar, I believe, to the one offered by Hinson but much larger. Covers from the header to midpipe joint and rearward to the midpipe to overaxle pipe joint. This didn't eliminate the heat completely but at least made it tolerable.

ErnieN85

yes but the C5Z06 did not have a reinforcement in place just the plastic roof. ( I had one and looked) also no good way to put it in
the base car had a frame in the roof but it was not anchored well (just the latches)
The C6 has a frame in the roof panel but once again just latches so they also move around (squeak and pop)

timd38

So much for GM's claim that the C5 Z06 used the fixed roof version of the car because it flexed less!

Thanks!

ErnieN85

Never heard that and maybe it did flex less............. but it could have been better with a frame bolted in
BTW that is what I did with MY 09Z51 it doesn't squeak or pop

victorf

Here is another good read among others - using advance search for "benefits of tunnel plate": https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s+tunnel+plate

Since the above link, I also added an Elite Thermal Ab on my homemade 3/8" thick T6 aluminum tunnel plate. Since I have no dog in this fight, other than to satisfy my curiosity - I came away equally unimpressed with heat reduction.

If heat became a major itch, simply install proven cabin insulation for positive/effective heat/noise control. But of course, that will become a weight penalty trade off.

***

Unlike back in the days when I was heavily into 4 wheeling, when my '76 International Scout II - if parked on uneven off road terrain - doors, hatch and tailgate will not be able to close if left open.

On the other hand , stout frame on my C6(Yours might be different ), when it is lifted onto this position/other combinations:



Or parked on uneven terrain - hood, doors and hatch can be open/close at will, with/without my 3/8" thick tunnel plate - my experienced is, completely without ill effects.

These concluded experiences of "1".

YMMV!

Apocolipse

The tunnel is for heat shielding. Making it thicker only adds weight. They changed from steel to aluminum because aluminum is a MUCH better heat shield than steel. They went thicker than the steel plate to keep it from getting stress cracks since aluminum has a lower fatigue life than steel.

timd38

Remove it and let us know how the car handles.

Apocolipse

Ever hear of a shear plane? Look it up and then tell me why making it thicker isn't going to be better for torsion.

timd38

Not the question, remove it and see how it handles. I would love to know.

ErnieN85

Well actually it (the tunnel plate) is in tension so in theory it will not help to make it thicker. that is the main reason the C7 tunnel is bigger and deeper
with a close out (actually a web) on the bottom (under) the pipes