Tunnel reinforcement plates - need quick feedback please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Ca
Tunnel reinforcement plates - need quick feedback please
I have an order pending and need some info....
Has anyone bought one of these plates from one of our GM vendors?
This is the info I received:
"All of the part numbers, including C5 have been changed to the new and improved C6 tunnel reinforcement. The part number is 15818293 "
Is this plate 1/4" aluminum? It's priced about 1/4 the cost of some other mfg's plates and I'm wondering if it's the real deal or not.
Thanks.
Has anyone bought one of these plates from one of our GM vendors?
This is the info I received:
"All of the part numbers, including C5 have been changed to the new and improved C6 tunnel reinforcement. The part number is 15818293 "
Is this plate 1/4" aluminum? It's priced about 1/4 the cost of some other mfg's plates and I'm wondering if it's the real deal or not.
Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Boise ID
I ordered the C6 plate from GM Parts Direct on Nov.11 and it is still on backorder! 
No response to my email inquiries either.
I should have gone with Fred Beans!
Order Detail:
*10384612
REINFORCE $44.25
In Process
Taxes: $0.00
Handling and Shipping: $9.95
ORDER TOTAL:
$54.20
* indicates special order item, which is a special order non-returnable part.
Update - GM partsdirect cancelled my order because GM changed the part number...GREAT! this gave me time to reconsider and I ordered the 1/4" coated plate from Elite. 10% discount to boot!
Thanks Jeff!!!
-Bob
No response to my email inquiries either.I should have gone with Fred Beans!
Order Detail:
*10384612
REINFORCE $44.25
In Process
Taxes: $0.00
Handling and Shipping: $9.95
ORDER TOTAL:
$54.20
* indicates special order item, which is a special order non-returnable part.
Update - GM partsdirect cancelled my order because GM changed the part number...GREAT! this gave me time to reconsider and I ordered the 1/4" coated plate from Elite. 10% discount to boot!
Thanks Jeff!!!
-Bob
Last edited by Idavette98; Jan 5, 2006 at 01:41 AM. Reason: go with Elite
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
I've got their stainless ceramic to cut down the heat! 
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/C5tunnel-plates.html
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/C5tunnel-plates.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by black98c5
i already had my headers installed, but how much you think they will charge me to put this tunnel plate in?. is it a big pain in the rear?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 7
From: Beautiful CO
St. jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by GreekPT
I have an order pending and need some info....
Has anyone bought one of these plates from one of our GM vendors?
This is the info I received:
"All of the part numbers, including C5 have been changed to the new and improved C6 tunnel reinforcement. The part number is 15818293 "
Is this plate 1/4" aluminum? It's priced about 1/4 the cost of some other mfg's plates and I'm wondering if it's the real deal or not.
Thanks.
Has anyone bought one of these plates from one of our GM vendors?
This is the info I received:
"All of the part numbers, including C5 have been changed to the new and improved C6 tunnel reinforcement. The part number is 15818293 "
Is this plate 1/4" aluminum? It's priced about 1/4 the cost of some other mfg's plates and I'm wondering if it's the real deal or not.
Thanks.
I hope this helps.......
The stock C6 plate IS aluminum but only measures about 1/8" thick. Also keep in mind, it is not ceramic coated. Although it may be a little stiffer than your stock C5 steel plate, it will actually absorb and retain more heat than your existing plate.
Jeff
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by rbrtclk
I'm new to this game, What is the tunnel plate supposed to do? Does it just stiffen the chassis?
yes- it all but eliminates the twisting motion you may experience under load. My 97 developed a creaking in the top (targa) area for the life of me I could not fine or eliminate...so when I did my long tubes I aslo put in a heat treated Aluminum tunnel plate and not only did the console temps drop drastically, but the creak went away as well as any unsure footed feeling I had prior...it REALLY makes a big difference...I say money well spent
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Boise ID
Originally Posted by Idavette98
I ordered the C6 plate from GM Parts Direct on Nov.11 and it is still on backorder! No response to my email inquiries either.
I should have gone with Fred Beans!
Order Detail:
*10384612
REINFORCE $44.25
In Process
Taxes: $0.00
Handling and Shipping: $9.95
ORDER TOTAL:
$54.20
* indicates special order item, which is a special order non-returnable part.
-Bob
No response to my email inquiries either.I should have gone with Fred Beans!
Order Detail:
*10384612
REINFORCE $44.25
In Process
Taxes: $0.00
Handling and Shipping: $9.95
ORDER TOTAL:
$54.20
* indicates special order item, which is a special order non-returnable part.
-Bob
From: Customer Service [mailto:customerservice@gmpartsdirect.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 4:43 PM
Subject: RE: GMPartsDirect Order No. 127882--1826
Your part was received, but we can not receive in good quality stock on this item at this time so your order will have to be canceled.
Thank You www.GmPartsDirect.com
This is the latest message from GMFartsDirect....almost 2 months and they just now decide to cancel my order!!!! WTF???
...this is the last time I will ever deal with this vendor!!!!!!!!
I am now ordering the much better plate from Elite Engineering.
I should have realized earlier that you get what you pay for......
-Bob
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
Likes: 6
From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Elite didn't have a X-Mas special, how about a New Years one? I need to order jacking pucks for the third time. Probably want some other stuff as well. GP? New Year's? 
I need to order jacking pucks for the third time. Probably want some other stuff as well. GP? New Year's?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver WA
I am now ordering the much better plate from Elite Engineering.
I should have realized earlier that you get what you pay for......
-Bob[/QUOTE]
I got the Elite ceramic stainless plate. Easy to install and a very noticable difference in handling. As I mentioned earlirer, I bought it more for the heat barrier than the handling. It is in the 30's and 40's here so wont be able to confirm the heat loss until spring but I do like the handling difference. Also the part was shipped within 24 hours of my order and arrive a few days later at my front door. Remember they INCLUDE shipping Also if you are ever upside down your car will look really trick!!
I should have realized earlier that you get what you pay for......
-Bob[/QUOTE]
I got the Elite ceramic stainless plate. Easy to install and a very noticable difference in handling. As I mentioned earlirer, I bought it more for the heat barrier than the handling. It is in the 30's and 40's here so wont be able to confirm the heat loss until spring but I do like the handling difference. Also the part was shipped within 24 hours of my order and arrive a few days later at my front door. Remember they INCLUDE shipping Also if you are ever upside down your car will look really trick!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 901
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Originally Posted by Cajundude
Elite didn't have a X-Mas special, how about a New Years one? I need to order jacking pucks for the third time. Probably want some other stuff as well. GP? New Year's?
I need to order jacking pucks for the third time. Probably want some other stuff as well. GP? New Year's? 
New Years Special sounds good to me.