I have owned my 2002 Corvette Convertible for the past nine years. In this Forum and in other Forums I have read about Owners complaining about how hot the tunnel area below the console gets. I have never experienced this. I have, at times driven my car continuously for twelve or more hours. That area of my car stays cool and never is uncomfortable. What is everybody talking about?

 

I have noticed that a large amount of hot air blows out of the cracks between the panels in the tunnel area when the top is down, or the windows are down with the top up, when driving above 45 or so mph. It feels like the heater is on medium speed blowing hot air. This is only really noticeable or annoying in hot weather.

With the top up and windows closed, I do not feel any air flowing into the cabin from these cracks.

I have never noticed the actual tunnel getting particularly warm.

 

I have had my 2002 C5Z for over 7 years. In my opinion, you can't not notice the heat that gets generated in the passenger compartment, particularly by your legs. In fact, within the first 3 months of my purchase, I got a tunnel plate... no problems ever since. If you are not experiencing this, I could only suspect that the owner before you (or those before him if applicable) either installed insulation or a tunnel plate for both to keep the heat out.

 

Vettes have historically generated a lot of heat into the passenger compartment from the tunnel area. Just the nature of the beast.

 

I think I discovered something new, to me at least, regarding heat pouring out of the lower regions with the top down:

If I had the heat turned up on a cold morning (fan turned on, temperature setting at 74F or so) then turned off the HVAC when the outside temperature got warm, then lowered the top, heat poured out of the heating ducts.

If I then turned on the fan (which turned on the whole HVAC system) and turned the temperature down to minimum (58 or 60?) for a short while, then pushed the off button, heat did NOT seam to come out of the ducts when the top was down.

I think the amount of engine coolant flowing through the HVAC heat exchanger is set when the the system is turned on. If you turn the system off when heat is demanded, hot air will be drawn through the system when the top is lowered, which roasts you.

If you turn the system off when it is in a state of trying to cool the cabin, engine coolant will not flow through the heat exchanger. Relatively cool air will be pulled through the system and you will not be roasted.

I would consider these results tentative, as I have not yet tested and retested, but I welcome any comments.

 

I have had two C5 verts and that is how it works. Some more than others but insulation and tunnel plate solves that

 

I've noticed that a lot of hot air is present from the passenger side too. However,,,It only seems to occur when I have a passenger. .

 

Drive your car in a parade on a 95 degree day like I did this summer, I didn't know about the heat until that day!

 

I just noticed this after I had a lot of work done on it at a shop. (didn't notice the hot air before the car went under the knife).

I'm assuming there is some valve that shuts off engine coolant going to the heater core, and that if it fails, or is disconnected, then it constantly lets heat into the passenger cabin, and when the top is down, it draws air through the HVAC system.

I assume this is a common problem, but searching didn't turn up any threads about it....

I'll have to look into this more, because its pretty darn annoying to be driving with the top down in 85 degree weather and have hot air blowing at my legs

But, to the OP, I haven't noticed much heat from the tunnel. But I almost always have the top down, and maybe that mitigates the effect? I don't know.

 

I had the insulation/sound deadening kit installed in my C5. I believe it certainly increased the quality of ride in my car. I think the heat is significantly reflected to atmosphere, and a certain amount of reduction of outside noise is an improvement I enjoy, as well.

But on long rides (which I love most in my Corvette), there is still some heat, on hotter days. As another member said, the 'nature of the beast'.

I am planning to go the extra step, next spring, to install the insulated tunnel plate. I think it can't possibly hurt, and should help some in addition to the insulation kit on the inside.

 

My 99 it gets warm as hell. I don't mind luckily (I'm always cold). I never have to use the feet heater Not as bad as my buddies Pantera. That things shoots heat from the gearbox.