Tunnel plate question?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Washington Twp. New Jersey
Tunnel plate question?
Today I had the oil changed on my 04 Coupe and while the car was up in the air I was checking out the bottom of the car and noticed mine has a tunnel plate on the car which kind of surprised me because there are various companies that sell tunnel plates and I just assumed that they didnt come with them. If I put an aftermarket one on am I really going to notice a difference ?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Your existing tunnel plate is about the same thickness as the aluminum foil my wife wraps sandwiches in. The after market tunnel plates do make a subtle difference in the way the car feels and a major difference in the amount of heat that is transferred to the interior. I've got one on my DD and I have another one being delivered for my track car. In my book, they are worth the $$.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
My install page shows you the difference - mine is one of the thinner SS plates too.
http://redshift.homestead.com/aos.html
http://redshift.homestead.com/aos.html
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Originally Posted by TJ VETT
Today I had the oil changed on my 04 Coupe and while the car was up in the air I was checking out the bottom of the car and noticed mine has a tunnel plate on the car which kind of surprised me because there are various companies that sell tunnel plates and I just assumed that they didnt come with them. If I put an aftermarket one on am I really going to notice a difference ?
C5's and C6's come with a tunnel plate stock. The C5's is 1/16 of an inch and the C6's is 1/8 of an inch. GM beefed up the tunnel plate on the C6 because it does make a difference.
When I took off the tunnel plate on my C5, I just bent it in half with my hands and tossed it
We have fabricated a tunnel plate in 3/16 that will more than do the job for any street car. There are plates out there in 1/4 and 3/8 as well, and serve autoX and racing applications.
If you would like more information, please visit our website. We have a killer introductory price that is for CF members only.
If you have any questions, I PM'd you my cell number.
Peace
Chip
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,477
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From: = From Toronto = 9/11/01 FDNY 343 Never Forget
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'13-'14
Originally Posted by Last C5
Your existing tunnel plate is about the same thickness as the aluminum foil my wife wraps sandwiches in. The after market tunnel plates do make a subtle difference in the way the car feels and a major difference in the amount of heat that is transferred to the interior. I've got one on my DD and I have another one being delivered for my track car. In my book, they are worth the $$.
I noticed these changes also after switching.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
I noticed more comfortable and predictable handling at the limit after installing my tunnel plate. The car just felt more tossable.
I also noticed that the plate tends to creak a little as the car warms up to operating temperature in the morning. The heat from the exhaust must cause some expansion, and thus a little creaking at the same time.
I also noticed that the plate tends to creak a little as the car warms up to operating temperature in the morning. The heat from the exhaust must cause some expansion, and thus a little creaking at the same time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Schenectady NY
Originally Posted by Last C5
Your existing tunnel plate is about the same thickness as the aluminum foil my wife wraps sandwiches in. The after market tunnel plates do make a subtle difference in the way the car feels and a major difference in the amount of heat that is transferred to the interior. I've got one on my DD and I have another one being delivered for my track car. In my book, they are worth the $$.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale CA
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Patches
My install page shows you the difference - mine is one of the thinner SS plates too.
http://redshift.homestead.com/aos.html
http://redshift.homestead.com/aos.html
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 7
From: Beautiful CO
St. jude Donor '14
Tom,
We have recently updated our website with more information about our Tunnel Plates and their improvement in both heat reduction and chassis stiffness.
We have sold hundreds of our Tunnel Plates, literally around the world and have received nothing but positive feedback.
Our 1/4" thick plate is the most popular on the Corvette Forum because of its added thickness AND Ceramic Coating. In addition we now have a new product, the Thermal-Overlay that really does an amazing job of further reducing the heat transfer into the console area.
Do it once, and do it right with our 1/4" thick aluminum tunnel plate.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
We won't be undersold and will match any vendor's price on the same product
We have recently updated our website with more information about our Tunnel Plates and their improvement in both heat reduction and chassis stiffness.
We have sold hundreds of our Tunnel Plates, literally around the world and have received nothing but positive feedback.
Our 1/4" thick plate is the most popular on the Corvette Forum because of its added thickness AND Ceramic Coating. In addition we now have a new product, the Thermal-Overlay that really does an amazing job of further reducing the heat transfer into the console area.
Do it once, and do it right with our 1/4" thick aluminum tunnel plate.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
We won't be undersold and will match any vendor's price on the same product
Last edited by Elite Engineering; Oct 31, 2006 at 11:12 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Bear Delaware
Originally Posted by Vettman 1
I addded one to my convertible. The difference in stiffness was very subtle, the difference in heat transfer (lack thereof) was dramatic!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Jeff about covered it...
$$$ worth mod IMHO.
I got one and..
1. The interior creeks stopped.
2. My car was so stiff, I go on 3 wheels going into the driveway.
$$$ worth mod IMHO.
I got one and..
1. The interior creeks stopped.
2. My car was so stiff, I go on 3 wheels going into the driveway.
Originally Posted by Elite Engineering
Tom,
We have recently updated our website with more information about our Tunnel Plates and their improvement in both heat reduction and chassis stiffness.
We have sold hundreds of our Tunnel Plates, literally around the world and have received nothing but positive feedback.
Our 1/4" thick plate is the most popular on the Corvette Forum because of its added thickness AND Ceramic Coating. In addition we now have a new product, the Thermal-Overlay that really does an amazing job of further reducing the heat transfer into the console area.
Do it once, and do it right with our 1/4" thick aluminum tunnel plate.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
We won't be undersold and will match any vendor's price on the same product
We have recently updated our website with more information about our Tunnel Plates and their improvement in both heat reduction and chassis stiffness.
We have sold hundreds of our Tunnel Plates, literally around the world and have received nothing but positive feedback.
Our 1/4" thick plate is the most popular on the Corvette Forum because of its added thickness AND Ceramic Coating. In addition we now have a new product, the Thermal-Overlay that really does an amazing job of further reducing the heat transfer into the console area.
Do it once, and do it right with our 1/4" thick aluminum tunnel plate.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
We won't be undersold and will match any vendor's price on the same product
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I looked at the products available on Elite Engineering's web site and notice they have 2 thicknesses available, 1/4" & 3/8". It says the 1/4" is the most popular but does anyone run with the 3/8"?
I wonder just how much of a difference you'd notice going to the 3/8" right off?
I wonder just how much of a difference you'd notice going to the 3/8" right off?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 7
From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by BobbyG
I looked at the products available on Elite Engineering's web site and notice they have 2 thicknesses available, 1/4" & 3/8". It says the 1/4" is the most popular but does anyone run with the 3/8"?
I wonder just how much of a difference you'd notice going to the 3/8" right off?
I wonder just how much of a difference you'd notice going to the 3/8" right off?
My suspicion is the 3/8 version is a bit of overkill...........
I am satisfied with my 1/4 "..................plate that is
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 2
From: Hope, Arkansas - '07 LMB Coupe
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
When I purchased the 1/4" Thermal ABS of Aluminum for my C6 coupe, my primary goal was to get rid of the heat in the console and cup holder area. After installing the new Thermal ABS, I didn't completely get rid of the heat getting to the console, but it has reduced it enough for me to now consider using the cup holders for cold beverages (Coke or water, no beer) and take out the extra cup holder that I mounted on the passenger side of the console which returns the full range of leg room the car was intended to have for my passengers. Before I could even evaluate how well the plate was going to reduce the heat in the console, I had already noticed a difference the plate made in the amount of stiffness added to the Vette. Even just getting out of the driveway the first time I had already noticed less creaking noise from the top and more rigid feel to the tires stepping down into the street. All of the driving I have done since then also has provided a more solid feel to the car in general. So all in all, I must say that I am happy with the decision to buy the Thermal ABS of Aluminum, and am pleased with the changes it made to my Corvette.