Tunnel Plate

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Aug 14, 2013 | 10:59 PM

fcable

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Joined: Apr 2010

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Tunnel Plate

I'm am fixing to install a set of AR Headers. While I have all that out, I was thinking about installing a 1/4" 6061 tunnel plate to make the body a little more rigid. Do this plates really help, or not? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Aug 15, 2013 | 12:47 AM

Mr. Big

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,058

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From: Roswell New Mexico

St. Jude Donor '07-'08

I can't see how that could make any difference. If anyone said it make a difference at all, i would be very very skeptical

save your money

Aug 15, 2013 | 01:42 AM

Mickeyrx70

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 3,498

Likes: 680

From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Big

I can't see how that could make any difference. If anyone said it make a difference at all, i would be very very skeptical

save your money

I recently installed the Elite Engineering "thermal abs" tunnel plate as part of a long tube header install & can't tell any difference from the stock tunnel plate as for stiffening goes; it may have a heat deflecting àdvantage though.

Aug 15, 2013 | 08:35 AM

hamhead

Racer

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 325

Likes: 0

The only point I see for it is keeping heat down in the cabin. I wouldn't expect any performance increase due to body rigidity or reducing wheel hop.

For what its worth, I run without one and have not experienced any major heat in the console area like some report - I do run no cats however.

Aug 15, 2013 | 12:28 PM

Last C5

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 3,904

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From: Vancouver Washington

I have ceramic coated tunnel plates in both my vert and my Z track car and they do reduce the console/interior heat considerably. I would recommend getting one.

Aug 15, 2013 | 03:40 PM

Quick 06

Pro

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 573

Likes: 7

From: Greensboro NC

Agree, coated tunnel plate keeps temps down in the cabin after long tube installs.

Aug 15, 2013 | 11:48 PM

SG Lou

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 3,938

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From: Fords, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last C5

I have ceramic coated tunnel plates in both my vert and my Z track car and they do reduce the console/interior heat considerably. I would recommend getting one.

That's pretty much the reason I replaced mine as well. Made a world of difference in heat reduction, along with insulating the interior.

Aug 17, 2013 | 01:52 AM

striper

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 6,366

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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

It might not be that noticeable, but the tunnel is a structural component of the entire frame. The C5 chassis was designed as a convertible first so it would resist twisting with the roof off, however when I had a targa coupe you could definetely feel the difference in the car's rigidity when the roof was removed. So I think the tunnel plate can make a difference in stiffness. Maybe not too much though if you have an FRC but I installed one anyway when I did headers and exhaust. Anything that can contribute positively to the handling and make the entire structure stiffer.