C6 tunnel plate
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
C6 tunnel plate
So I finally found a used C6 tunnel plate that wasn't a rape price. This one happens to have the part number off of a C6 Z06. But they are all the same thickness, so that doesn't matter.
I was wanting to do the heat shield while I was at it, but the pre-cut thermal covers are way to much money.
I was thinking of using my VHT header paint on it because I have allot sitting around.
Would this help keep temperatures down at all? Or should I get the universal wrap kits that parts stores sell with the one sticky side and cover it with that? Would it stay on there?
I was wanting to do the heat shield while I was at it, but the pre-cut thermal covers are way to much money.
I was thinking of using my VHT header paint on it because I have allot sitting around.
Would this help keep temperatures down at all? Or should I get the universal wrap kits that parts stores sell with the one sticky side and cover it with that? Would it stay on there?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
So I finally found a used C6 tunnel plate that wasn't a rape price. This one happens to have the part number off of a C6 Z06. But they are all the same thickness, so that doesn't matter.
I was wanting to do the heat shield while I was at it, but the pre-cut thermal covers are way to much money.
I was thinking of using my VHT header paint on it because I have allot sitting around.
Would this help keep temperatures down at all? Or should I get the universal wrap kits that parts stores sell with the one sticky side and cover it with that? Would it stay on there?
I was wanting to do the heat shield while I was at it, but the pre-cut thermal covers are way to much money.
I was thinking of using my VHT header paint on it because I have allot sitting around.
Would this help keep temperatures down at all? Or should I get the universal wrap kits that parts stores sell with the one sticky side and cover it with that? Would it stay on there?
HTH
HTH
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Well,,,,,,, while I had my drive train out, I decided to install FROST KING insulation in the tunnel. When I was done I was impressed. Looked really good and was SURE to reduce the temp on the tunnel.
A few months after the car was back on the road, the tunnel got SO HOT that I thought it was going to catch fire.
I jacked the car up and found that the glue for the insulation melted and parts of the insulation fell down and BLOCKED all the air going thru the tunnel!
So,,,,,, I had to use a long extraction tool to dig the fallen insulation out.
Whatever you do,, MAKE SURE that the glue that you use to secure whatever insulation in place will NOT melt in high heat.
Unless you use some sort of specialized thermal coating like the stuff that they advertise on Horse Power TV (LIZARD SKIN) it is a waste of time.
http://www.lizardskin.com/
Hope this helps!
A few months after the car was back on the road, the tunnel got SO HOT that I thought it was going to catch fire.
I jacked the car up and found that the glue for the insulation melted and parts of the insulation fell down and BLOCKED all the air going thru the tunnel!
So,,,,,, I had to use a long extraction tool to dig the fallen insulation out.
Whatever you do,, MAKE SURE that the glue that you use to secure whatever insulation in place will NOT melt in high heat.
Unless you use some sort of specialized thermal coating like the stuff that they advertise on Horse Power TV (LIZARD SKIN) it is a waste of time.
http://www.lizardskin.com/
Hope this helps!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Well,,,,,,, while I had my drive train out, I decided to install FROST KING insulation in the tunnel. When I was done I was impressed. Looked really good and was SURE to reduce the temp on the tunnel.
A few months after the car was back on the road, the tunnel got SO HOT that I thought it was going to catch fire.
I jacked the car up and found that the glue for the insulation melted and parts of the insulation fell down and BLOCKED all the air going thru the tunnel!
So,,,,,, I had to use a long extraction tool to dig the fallen insulation out.
Whatever you do,, MAKE SURE that the glue that you use to secure whatever insulation in place will NOT melt in high heat.
Unless you use some sort of specialized thermal coating like the stuff that they advertise on Horse Power TV (LIZARD SKIN) it is a waste of time.
http://www.lizardskin.com/
Hope this helps!
A few months after the car was back on the road, the tunnel got SO HOT that I thought it was going to catch fire.
I jacked the car up and found that the glue for the insulation melted and parts of the insulation fell down and BLOCKED all the air going thru the tunnel!
So,,,,,, I had to use a long extraction tool to dig the fallen insulation out.
Whatever you do,, MAKE SURE that the glue that you use to secure whatever insulation in place will NOT melt in high heat.
Unless you use some sort of specialized thermal coating like the stuff that they advertise on Horse Power TV (LIZARD SKIN) it is a waste of time.
http://www.lizardskin.com/
Hope this helps!
Good post Bill. That's why I recommended the "sandwich" to NukeC5 in his situation, to prevent this very thing, since it does not rely on adhesive alone to stay in place.
The tunnel plate temperature shields (Thermal Abs) sold by Elite Engineering for example, uses a high heat-resistant adhesive AND also uses the factory bolts to hold it in position.
Also don't want to use something that soaks up water after driving in a good rain and acts like a sponge to retain water and cause corrosion issues either. Lot's of folks don't drive their cars everyday, so don't have the exhaust heat drying things out under there like they would on a DD.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Thats a good idea. When I have everything out to rebuild the torque tube I will go back together with the C6 plate first (covered in self adhesive heat shield), and put the stock plate on over it to hold it all together.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
You won't need to add the stock plate to the aluminum c6 plate.
The c6 plate covered with the thermal add on will be sufficient.
C6 , Z plates are aluminum, & not quite twice the thickness of a stock c5 plate
Aluminized Heat Barrier adhesive backed
2000 degrees radiant heat reflection
Withstands continuous temps of 400 degrees
Aggressive adhesive, adheres to virtually any surface
Cool IT Thermo Tec
www.themotec.com
part#13590 24"x 48" That is enough material to do two complete plates
The c6 plate covered with the thermal add on will be sufficient.
C6 , Z plates are aluminum, & not quite twice the thickness of a stock c5 plate
Aluminized Heat Barrier adhesive backed
2000 degrees radiant heat reflection
Withstands continuous temps of 400 degrees
Aggressive adhesive, adheres to virtually any surface
Cool IT Thermo Tec
www.themotec.com
part#13590 24"x 48" That is enough material to do two complete plates
Last edited by bumble-z; Aug 31, 2012 at 02:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Its a used one off ebay, and it looks pretty metal all around to me. I think it will benefit allot to put something on it to keep the exhaust heat down in the tunnel.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I agree completely, but I was suggesting the additional use of the C5 plate since he already has it and it will offer much of the torsional stiffness benefit that is offered by the aftermarket 1/4" or 5/16" tunnel plates. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Update
I installed the C6 tunnel plate. I'm glad I only paid 50 bucks for it because I have to say, it made little to no difference. I've had it in for a couple weeks now and done plenty of testing. The swaybars made a clear difference in body movement and I was hoping for a little more with the C6 plate. If it did anything, it was very little.
Just giving an honest opinion on this mod.
I installed the C6 tunnel plate. I'm glad I only paid 50 bucks for it because I have to say, it made little to no difference. I've had it in for a couple weeks now and done plenty of testing. The swaybars made a clear difference in body movement and I was hoping for a little more with the C6 plate. If it did anything, it was very little.
Just giving an honest opinion on this mod.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Well it did save in weight.
You failed to mention...? What you did for heat controll if anything.
How about if you find another C6 plate & double up the thickness, along with a heat barrier?
I doubled up stock C5 plates & went with the heat barrier, as I mentioned prior.
It strengthened the tunnel area quite a bit.
However, This route = Heavy
compared to 1/4"-3/8" aluminum plates.
You failed to mention...? What you did for heat controll if anything.
How about if you find another C6 plate & double up the thickness, along with a heat barrier?
I doubled up stock C5 plates & went with the heat barrier, as I mentioned prior.
It strengthened the tunnel area quite a bit.
However, This route = Heavy
compared to 1/4"-3/8" aluminum plates.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Well I can tell you the Elite Tunnel plate does make a noticeable difference. When I had mine installed I went down a driveway with a twist in it and you could definitely feel the car did not twist with the road and no more squeaks from the Targa Top so I am thinking the C6 tunnel plate is not stiff/thick enough. Did you also use the stock plate to add thickness?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I put a 1/4" Al plate on my car. Really didn't notice much difference either. I think it is a little better but certainly nowhere close to the improved handling and much more responsive car that others have claimed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I'm sure it did a little. It is double the thickness of the C5 plate. Just not worth paying new or full price for an aftermarket or GM C6 plate.
I didn't use the C5 plate with it because the C5 plate has several protruding areas that do not allow it to sit flat without modification. Plus I don't want the weight of both. I opted no to put heat shield material on and painted it with some high temp VHT header paint I had laying around.
I didn't use the C5 plate with it because the C5 plate has several protruding areas that do not allow it to sit flat without modification. Plus I don't want the weight of both. I opted no to put heat shield material on and painted it with some high temp VHT header paint I had laying around.