One of my winter projects was to address the console heat issue that I noticed over the summer. I didn't really notice the problem with short 15 - 20 min. trips. However, I took a 1+ hour trip and notice the console heating up considerably. So, I did plenty of searching for a solution on the forum and google for ways to control the heat in the cabin.

NOTE: my car has 1 7/8" headers, x-pipe & hi-flow cats.

First, I decided to do the "Frost King mod" just on the top of tunnel inside of the car.




Next, and more importantly, I wanted to address controlling the heat underneath the car. I considered buying an Elite Engineering 1/4" Thick Aluminum Ceramic Coated Tunnel Plate with Thermal-Abs however, I didn't want to spend $300 on a tunnel plate. So, I did some more searching and found a forum thread of a C5 turbo vette build that persuaded me to do the following.

1. I bought a 2011 C6 Grand Sport aluminum tunnel plate from a forum member for $50. The C6 plate is 1/8" thick, which is twice as thick as a stock C5 sheet metal plate. It's pretty sturdy compared to the C5 plate. My car is a Z06, if it was a coupe or vert then I'd consider a 1/4" plate.

2. I then bought a 21" x 48" piece of DEI Floor & Tunnel Shield II Heat and Sound Insulation (about $80). This 3/16" shield can handle up to 1750 degrees and the adhesive can handle up to 450 degrees. I cut the shield to fit the plate and drilled holes for the tunnel bolt washers to fit against the aluminum for a positive hold.

3. Removed the backing and applied the shield to the tunnel plate then installed the plate. I ended up replacing the tunnel bolts (because one had broke) with M6-1.0 x 22.5mm Hex Head zinc plated bolts that I got online (http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/M6_...c_p/a15778.htm). A box of 50 bolts was $9.12 + shipping. The Chevy dealer wanted $1.32 per bolt!

4. Next, I took some of the excess shielding and cut out pieces to insulate the sides of the tunnel below the plate.

C6 plate with the DEI shielding cut out.




Plate and shielding installed.




Exhaust back on.



So, the entire project ran me about 1/2 the cost of the Elite plate and I like to think that the additional insulation will keep things cooler. Right now it's 30 degrees outside so I'll have to wait a little while for things to warm up around my area to see first hand how well this works.

 

Great job and creative solution! I went with the RaamAudio Ensolite and BXT II heat/sound material and dropped the cash for the Elite Engineering tunnel plate with Thermal Abs. A definite, but more costly, improvement.

 

Great info and pics. I appreciate your taking the time to post this up. Posts like this is why this forum is so great.

 

Thanks!

My car has some sound deadening material in it already so I only focused on the console heat. I was getting some sound around the shifter but I fixed that with a better fitting isolation plate and Frost King insulation.

It looks like you have a vert. I'm sure the 1/4" plate helped in stiffness and heat.

Thanks...it's the least I can do to give back to the forum.

 

It really has. I also installed new Koni FSD shocks and Z06 sway bars with the tunnel plate. I can really feel the extra tightness of the chassis. The car corners like it's on rails!

 

Looks like you came up with a great solution and saved a bunch of money in the process. Congrats.

 

I love a creative mind at work! Very nice job and professional looking!

Please post up your over thoughts on how this works, do the Snickers bar test to see if it doesn't melt!

 

Insulating the tunnel plate will make a big difference.

 

Thanks all! I'll update the thread after I do a long test run.

 

Time for a road trip to Texas in mid-August to test out your work.

Really would be nice to see how the adhesive holds up over time.

Nice work.

 

Thanks! Yes, I'm real curious about how well the adhesive holds up over time.

 

Is this poster still around? I was looking to do the same as you direct fit the c6 plate on a 99 c5.

 

OP gone.

 

He has the correct bolts listed for the tunnel plate shield? I have the tunnel plate but dont have the correct bolts.