ABS of aluminum made my ZO6 more firm!
Are Thicker Tunnel Plates really worth it?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Are Thicker Tunnel Plates really worth it?
I have been looking at these and to tell the truth it's hard to believe they can really make that much difference because of their placement. Looks like most people have replaced this to reduce heat but that could be done much cheaper with insulation.
I'm looking for feedback from people that have installed this mod.
I'm looking for feedback from people that have installed this mod.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
I put one on and it does help a bit with heat, however, it has helped with the stiffness, especially side to side. I have a lowered car and I have to hit steep driveways at an angle. I used to scrape before the tunnel plate and don't now.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I have a steel one with heat spray on it. All I can tell you is the change in side to side flex is felt immediately. I took it up on a local four lane road and just did some steering wheel movement to push the car around on the road. Could not believe the difference. Of course you get used to it quickly. Non-runflats were the other handling improvement that was most immediately felt in the car.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: St. Petersburg Florida
I have been looking at these and to tell the truth it's hard to believe they can really make that much difference because of their placement. Looks like most people have replaced this to reduce heat but that could be done much cheaper with insulation.
I'm looking for feedback from people that have installed this mod.
I'm looking for feedback from people that have installed this mod.
IMO best bang for the buck.
I got three things;
better handling
less noise
less heat
Get the thickest heat coated one you can find. Well worth the money.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I found a 1/4" plate on the auction site for about $160 and was wondering if it would be worth the exspense. I plan on insulating the tunnel with the DEI tunnel shield which is a very affordable mod at under $40.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
if you do a search on the auction site for: (Corvette C5/Z06, C6/Z06 1/4" Thick Tunnel Plate) you will find plenty
Last edited by printmanjackson; Dec 27, 2009 at 05:04 PM.
Corvette Cowboy
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 23
From: Cen-Cal Broke A$$ Kalifornia
I have made about a dozen of these and everyone was very happy with it just be carefull that you get one that will fit. i.e. the 3/8 thick one will hit if you have 3" exhaust. Thier is a guy in the Northen Ca. section selling them for 149.00 here is a link
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/nort...-149-99-a.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/nort...-149-99-a.html
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
St. Jude Donor '10
If you have or get long tubes it's probably a must. Have it in my car and even with the headers in the summer it reduced heat inside dramatically! Id get one. Check ebay I found one on there for pretty cheap.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
An aftermarket one is a HUGE improvment over the stock tunnel plate. The increased stiffness and decreased heat is definitely immediately noticeable. I just had mine installed recently with my headers. I got the 1/4" ceramic coated plate from elite engineering.
I don't however think it's really necessary to shell out extra money for the thickest one or heat insulation.
Here is a great chart where elite checked the temps on the stock and various other plates:
If you notice, the stock one is 212 degrees at the console temp. With a 1/4" plate, it drops down to 137.6 degrees. a 3/8" plate is only 4 degrees better than the 1/4" one. Their 1/4" plate is $185 shipped vs. $240 for the 3/8" plate. Not worth the extra cost for 4 degrees.
The thermal protection added looks to drop it another 20 degrees or so, which is nice, but just not worth the added cost. The temp is ok now on mine with just the 1/4" plate. $130 added for the thermal is just too much IMO.
I don't however think it's really necessary to shell out extra money for the thickest one or heat insulation.
Here is a great chart where elite checked the temps on the stock and various other plates:
If you notice, the stock one is 212 degrees at the console temp. With a 1/4" plate, it drops down to 137.6 degrees. a 3/8" plate is only 4 degrees better than the 1/4" one. Their 1/4" plate is $185 shipped vs. $240 for the 3/8" plate. Not worth the extra cost for 4 degrees.
The thermal protection added looks to drop it another 20 degrees or so, which is nice, but just not worth the added cost. The temp is ok now on mine with just the 1/4" plate. $130 added for the thermal is just too much IMO.