Thermal Tunnel Plate
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Marysville WA
Lots of threads on this, but a couple of quick answers in my opinion:
1. Stiffen chassis: Not really. In other words not noticeable.
2. Reduce heat: Slightly. I got the Elite engineering with the thermal blanket on it. It works, but not as dramatic a difference as others have experienced. Still gets fairly warm in the center.
3. Install. It's a breeze. I would recommend doing it when/if you change out your exhaust. You have to remove the midpipe anyway so might as well do it all at once.
1. Stiffen chassis: Not really. In other words not noticeable.
2. Reduce heat: Slightly. I got the Elite engineering with the thermal blanket on it. It works, but not as dramatic a difference as others have experienced. Still gets fairly warm in the center.
3. Install. It's a breeze. I would recommend doing it when/if you change out your exhaust. You have to remove the midpipe anyway so might as well do it all at once.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Ohio
I almost think I had more heat from the center console before my headers went on (when it was stock). Probably my imagination tho. Defininty don't have a heat prob in the cockpit worse than stock. I'm not interested in the heat blankets/insulation at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Libertyville IL
Lots of threads on this, but a couple of quick answers in my opinion:
1. Stiffen chassis: Not really. In other words not noticeable.
2. Reduce heat: Slightly. I got the Elite engineering with the thermal blanket on it. It works, but not as dramatic a difference as others have experienced. Still gets fairly warm in the center.
3. Install. It's a breeze. I would recommend doing it when/if you change out your exhaust. You have to remove the midpipe anyway so might as well do it all at once.
1. Stiffen chassis: Not really. In other words not noticeable.
2. Reduce heat: Slightly. I got the Elite engineering with the thermal blanket on it. It works, but not as dramatic a difference as others have experienced. Still gets fairly warm in the center.
3. Install. It's a breeze. I would recommend doing it when/if you change out your exhaust. You have to remove the midpipe anyway so might as well do it all at once.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,354
Likes: 967
From: Carlsbad Ca
Unfortunately, there isn't any aftermarket cure we can endorse out there that involves cutting or altering the uniframe. The concern~the cars are validated with the structure as delivered. There may be a compromise in the crash worthiness of the car if the structure is altered.
Cliff notes: If the structure is strengthened, it may cause the occupants to recieve more crash energy than otherwise would be..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,410
Likes: 2
From: GTA, ON , Retired,,
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Here is what I got from Bowling Green about the tunnel plate:
Unfortunately, there isn't any aftermarket cure we can endorse out there that involves cutting or altering the uniframe. The concern~the cars are validated with the structure as delivered. There may be a compromise in the crash worthiness of the car if the structure is altered.
Cliff notes: If the structure is strengthened, it may cause the occupants to recieve more crash energy than otherwise would be..
Unfortunately, there isn't any aftermarket cure we can endorse out there that involves cutting or altering the uniframe. The concern~the cars are validated with the structure as delivered. There may be a compromise in the crash worthiness of the car if the structure is altered.
Cliff notes: If the structure is strengthened, it may cause the occupants to recieve more crash energy than otherwise would be..
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
Here is what I got from Bowling Green about the tunnel plate:
Unfortunately, there isn't any aftermarket cure we can endorse out there that involves cutting or altering the uniframe. The concern~the cars are validated with the structure as delivered. There may be a compromise in the crash worthiness of the car if the structure is altered.
Cliff notes: If the structure is strengthened, it may cause the occupants to recieve more crash energy than otherwise would be..
Unfortunately, there isn't any aftermarket cure we can endorse out there that involves cutting or altering the uniframe. The concern~the cars are validated with the structure as delivered. There may be a compromise in the crash worthiness of the car if the structure is altered.
Cliff notes: If the structure is strengthened, it may cause the occupants to recieve more crash energy than otherwise would be..
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
From: brooklyn ny
Not had to install, Does firm up the car. Does cut heat. I also added an isulation kit fron "crazy Cowboy" It quiets the car and reduced the heat even more. I like the results very much. The console just gets warm even on the hottest days.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 45
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
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Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,954
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
If that plate is "tested" during an accident and folds, I think sitting in the car would suck. Keeping the body from wrapping around you like a cocoon seems to be a better plan.
I have the plate. The plate is thicker than stock so I must conclude the chassis is stiffer (sorry my *** isn't calibrated to tell chassis stiffness)
My wife complained about the tunnel heat. She said the problem is gone. I think that answers that part. Wife is happy; I'm happy
Install was done in my garage on ramps. Time consuming as there are 30+ bolts to remove and reinstall to TORQUE specs. Wasn't hard. Release the exhaust pipes. Drop the H pipe down. R/R the plate. Install the H-pipe & muffler section. Drink a few beers to re-balance the electrolytes in the old body and you're good to go.
Do it!
Elmer
I have the plate. The plate is thicker than stock so I must conclude the chassis is stiffer (sorry my *** isn't calibrated to tell chassis stiffness)
My wife complained about the tunnel heat. She said the problem is gone. I think that answers that part. Wife is happy; I'm happy
Install was done in my garage on ramps. Time consuming as there are 30+ bolts to remove and reinstall to TORQUE specs. Wasn't hard. Release the exhaust pipes. Drop the H pipe down. R/R the plate. Install the H-pipe & muffler section. Drink a few beers to re-balance the electrolytes in the old body and you're good to go.
Do it!
Elmer
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 7
From: Beautiful CO
St. jude Donor '14
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 45
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Durham NC
I'm interested in this because while I didn't have a heat issue in my 05 at all, the 08's center console is hot enough to cook food in. No abnormal temps temps registering, or anything indicating a fault.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 2
From: Mill Creek WA
The LGM tunnel plate is 3/16" vs. 1/4" for the EE tunnel plate; the LGM tunnel plate also comes with a pre-drilled hole for the O2 sensors. Are there any problems using the EE tunnel plate with the LG Pro headers?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 36,473
Likes: 8
From: FLA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17