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Do Tunnel Plates Really Make a Difference?

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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 11:26 AM
  #21  
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If want to improve handling, there are a lot of other things I would recommend first:
Tires
Alignment
Swaybars
Shocks/coilovers
camber kits/poly bushings
seats (hard to drive if you slide too much) TPS usually has great deals

Once you have all that dialed in..you should be more than happy. These c5's are amazing once you balance them out

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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 01:12 PM
  #22  
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What Pfadt posted. Lots of other things to do first that will make a bigger difference.

Originally Posted by s'noJob
The plate would add 4%, let's say, more structural stiffness to both vehicles. But that 4% may seem more apparent on a base vehicle than on one that is already say 25% stiffer than the base.
Ummm, suspension upgrades don't change the chassis stiffness...


Originally Posted by Gordy M
As I recall, the tunnel plate was originally to keep the road debris from the exhaust and undercarriage.
You recalled wrong.
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Old Nov 15, 2013 | 09:56 PM
  #23  
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I noticed a little differnce in the feel on mine when i did it.. alot of it was going over driveway curbs and dips in the road.. Like stated above, less creeking and flex. I looked at it this way, i had my exhaust coming out anyway and as cheap as it is to add it was the right time. I did not get the thermal blanket with my EE plate but it is ceramic coated and my console does stay noticably cooler. I havnt driven the car hard enough to know if it will/has improved handeling on flat ground. I think of them like "Strut Tower Braces" most people say they are worthless but on my last 2 cars (STi and Monte Carlo Z34) i could tell when they were installed (especially in the monte, tons of flex around tight coners when i drove like a Dousche).

I am not going to claim it is the secret weapon in suspension upgrades, but i was happy with what i felt after installing it on my Z06 to justify buying it. FYI its definatly not lighter then the stock stamped steel plate, not much heavier but not lighter. I will say that i would put this as almost a MUST for guys with a Vert.

the exhaust is under the plate but the TQ tube is above it... dont think it has anything to do with debris

S

Last edited by RedZMonte; Nov 15, 2013 at 10:00 PM.
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 01:19 PM
  #24  
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I cut one on the waterjet at work so it was free. For a few hours of my time in CAD, it was a worthwhile investment.
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 05:48 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Same for me.

I have a ZO6 and they are a little stiffer car to begin with.

Didnt really notice all that much difference.

Yes there was a little more heat reduction.

BC
+1....my exact experience.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 02:39 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Arnie Chamberlain
I cut one on the waterjet at work so it was free. For a few hours of my time in CAD, it was a worthwhile investment.
But how much did it cost your employer??








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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 04:38 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Arnie Chamberlain
I cut one on the waterjet at work so it was free. For a few hours of my time in CAD, it was a worthwhile investment.
Originally Posted by leadfoot4
But how much did it cost your employer??
I was thinking the same thing. But I'm sure you reimbursed for the materials and did the CAD at home!

Don't worry - WE won't tell ol' "bossy-boss!"
.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 05:45 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by s'noJob
I was thinking the same thing. But I'm sure you reimbursed for the materials and did the CAD at home!

Don't worry - WE won't tell ol' "bossy-boss!"
.
I was just yanking his chain....I've done LOTS of "government jobs" at work......


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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 06:21 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
I was just yanking his chain....I've done LOTS of "government jobs" at work......
So was I. No throwin' stones here!

.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 07:47 PM
  #30  
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When I added mine to my C5 there was a big difference but the difference between the C5 and C6 is significant. I saw a C6 tunnel plate when my C5 was in for 4:10 gears and it was almost twice as thick. I told my installer that since the stock tunnel plate had to come out I wanted the EE 3/8" plate and I can tell you that it did make a difference. Since it is a structural piece I would think a thicker C6 Tunnel Plate would make a difference. You could just add another C6 tunnel plate making it double the thickness and achieve the same effect at a lower cost. Now if you want to lower your heat in the tunnel area the EE insulated plate can't be beat.
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 07:14 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by s'noJob
So was I. No throwin' stones here!

.



In fact, there were so many "G-jobs" done where I worked, the bosses were in it as deep as everyone else. A long time ago, I was involved with an oval track car, and we needed another dry sump pump. Money was really tight, and all I could muster up was a bunch of mismatched parts, that made for a leaky-azzed pump, when we tried to use it.

I happened to be telling my boss about this, who originally was a tool and die maker. He simply said, "Bring it in, we'll fix it".....
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 05:18 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4



In fact, there were so many "G-jobs" done where I worked, the bosses were in it as deep as everyone else. A long time ago, I was involved with an oval track car, and we needed another dry sump pump. Money was really tight, and all I could muster up was a bunch of mismatched parts, that made for a leaky-azzed pump, when we tried to use it.

I happened to be telling my boss about this, who originally was a tool and die maker. He simply said, "Bring it in, we'll fix it".....
Well, as a fellow tax payer ... you're welcome!
.
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 06:50 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by s'noJob
Well, as a fellow tax payer ... you're welcome!
.
Just in case there's a little confusion here, "G-job" had nothing to do with the government. It was "code-speak" for a personal project that was done at work....

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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 07:46 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
Just in case there's a little confusion here, "G-job" had nothing to do with the government. It was "code-speak" for a personal project that was done at work....

Ooops! Yes, that was the assumption I made.

Mea culpa.

.
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