elite tunnel plate, WHICH ONE?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 162
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From: Idaho
elite tunnel plate, WHICH ONE?
What are the positives and negatives of installing this peace into my car? Also, these guys have about four different type, should i go with the aluminum or the stainless steel?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 573
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From: Rochester NY
Originally Posted by dmitry_1998
What are the positives and negatives of installing this peace into my car? Also, these guys have about four different type, should i go with the aluminum or the stainless steel?
Many positives: as listed on their site: reduce cabin/console heat, reduce noises, stiffen chassis
Other than it weighing about 10lbs more than the stock flimsy plate, I don't see any other drawbacks...I will have mine installed within the next week.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by nikolai
I went with aluminum 3/8" thick plate. Other than it weighing about 10lbs more than the stock flimsy plate, I don't see any other drawbacks...I will have mine installed within the next week.
I also have this one on my 97 and it made a HUGE difference in the cars attitude around turns as well as reducing the heat in the console!good mod!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by dmitry_1998
why did you guys go with the aluminum over the stainless steel? is one stronger than the other? I want to improve handling, but dont want to sacrifice too much ride quality.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 573
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From: Rochester NY
Originally Posted by byte_me
The aluminum plate I got was thicker then the SS one offered at the time- I figured the thicker the better...still used the stock bolts- and I also (using my weird logic) thought it would resist heat better...it was heat treated.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 573
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From: Rochester NY
Originally Posted by dmitry_1998
I want to improve handling, but dont want to sacrifice too much ride quality.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
Originally Posted by byte_me
The aluminum plate I got was thicker then the SS one offered at the time- I figured the thicker the better...still used the stock bolts- and I also (using my weird logic) thought it would resist heat better...it was heat treated.
Ceramic coated!!! 
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Team Owner
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Steel has a higher elastic modulus than aluminum, therefore you need more thickness on the aluminum to make up for the difference in material. That being said, I went with the steel to keep it thinner and not interfere with O2 sensors or need other bolts.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Idaho
Originally Posted by Wicked LT1
Do they come coated, or is it something you have to get done elsewhere?
Thx-Goose
Thx-Goose
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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Bought a tunnel from Elite a couple months back; but before ordering one, I spoke with Jeff (Owner) about which one to get.
He personally has a 1/4" ceramic on his Vert. His opinion was that 3/8" plate did provided the best in heat blockage & in stiffness; and the best tunnel if you do a lot of track or autocross time. However, if you’re a DD and do some of the roadway aggressively at times, he recommended the 1/4" or the SS tunnel. The SS tunnel blocks the heat from the exhaust pipes better, but was not as stiff as the 1/4". And if you are planning to get a tunnel (no matter what type...), you should get it ceramic coated.
I had already installed some heat & sound insulation on the floor boards & cargo area; and so Jeff recommended the 1/4" ceramic tunnel for my type of driving (aggressive/not really a track star). He felt the 3/8" tunnel might be an over kill... (I like that; an honest opinion & not about the $$.) When compared to the OEM plate (tin pie pan), the 1/4" is pretty thick.
TMHO -
Greg
He personally has a 1/4" ceramic on his Vert. His opinion was that 3/8" plate did provided the best in heat blockage & in stiffness; and the best tunnel if you do a lot of track or autocross time. However, if you’re a DD and do some of the roadway aggressively at times, he recommended the 1/4" or the SS tunnel. The SS tunnel blocks the heat from the exhaust pipes better, but was not as stiff as the 1/4". And if you are planning to get a tunnel (no matter what type...), you should get it ceramic coated.
I had already installed some heat & sound insulation on the floor boards & cargo area; and so Jeff recommended the 1/4" ceramic tunnel for my type of driving (aggressive/not really a track star). He felt the 3/8" tunnel might be an over kill... (I like that; an honest opinion & not about the $$.) When compared to the OEM plate (tin pie pan), the 1/4" is pretty thick.
TMHO -
Greg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Originally Posted by 1FUNVTT
Bought a tunnel from Elite a couple months back; but before ordering one, I spoke with Jeff (Owner) about which one to get.
He personally has a 1/4" ceramic on his Vert. His opinion was that 3/8" plate did provided the best in heat blockage & in stiffness; and the best tunnel if you do a lot of track or autocross time. However, if you’re a DD and do some of the roadway aggressively at times, he recommended the 1/4" or the SS tunnel. The SS tunnel blocks the heat from the exhaust pipes better, but was not as stiff as the 1/4". And if you are planning to get a tunnel (no matter what type...), you should get it ceramic coated.
I had already installed some heat & sound insulation on the floor boards & cargo area; and so Jeff recommended the 1/4" ceramic tunnel for my type of driving (aggressive/not really a track star). He felt the 3/8" tunnel might be an over kill... (I like that; an honest opinion & not about the $$.) When compared to the OEM plate (tin pie pan), the 1/4" is pretty thick.
TMHO -
Greg
He personally has a 1/4" ceramic on his Vert. His opinion was that 3/8" plate did provided the best in heat blockage & in stiffness; and the best tunnel if you do a lot of track or autocross time. However, if you’re a DD and do some of the roadway aggressively at times, he recommended the 1/4" or the SS tunnel. The SS tunnel blocks the heat from the exhaust pipes better, but was not as stiff as the 1/4". And if you are planning to get a tunnel (no matter what type...), you should get it ceramic coated.
I had already installed some heat & sound insulation on the floor boards & cargo area; and so Jeff recommended the 1/4" ceramic tunnel for my type of driving (aggressive/not really a track star). He felt the 3/8" tunnel might be an over kill... (I like that; an honest opinion & not about the $$.) When compared to the OEM plate (tin pie pan), the 1/4" is pretty thick.
TMHO -
Greg
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by dmitry_1998
so he told you that the 1/4 inch aluminum plate would be stiffer than the stainless steel plate? I dont autocross, if i'm going to dish out the money i want to get the stiffer out of the two.
Give him a call; Jeff's a nice & informative guy. Always called me back or emailed me on my questions promptly.