The one constant item / complaint about the C6 I came across while researching my Corvette purchase was the interior heat issue. Up until now it was noticeable and tolerable until this past weekend. I took the 427 out for an exceptionally long drive, 700+ miles during an 11-hour drive to South Florida to visit some friends. When I got to my destination, I had to put the top up due to rain, within 20 minutes the heat was noticeable. I expected things to get warm, but there is a BIG difference between warm to the touch and freaking HOT!

The OEM cup holder area was closed the entire trip, when I slid the cover open, the area was ridiculously HOT to the touch. The area under the center console was so hot it heated up my keyfob to the point the metal area at the bottom that has the emergency key just about burned my hand!

This is unacceptable, I thought something was wrong with the car so I wasted my first day of an extended weekend at the Chevy dealership.

After 3 hours in service, they told me there was nothing wrong with the car and the heat buildup is something that is considered normal. I have to say I am very dissatisfied with my 427 at the moment, in 2018 I drove my 2016 M2 across Route 66, clocked well over 800+ miles in under 24 hours and NEVER had an interior heat issue. My Z4 M that I would always push to the limits on track days NEVER had a heat issue of this type. I am beginning to think that moving from M-World to Corvette’s was a mistake?

I do not want to think I made the wrong decision; I need help! I did a ton of research when I got home this morning on what options I must consider for dealing with this pathetic heat problem. My 427 is 100% completely stock, I know others have experienced this so what are you all doing?

Here are the 5 options I have come up with so far, what recommendations can you provide on any of these, do they really work?

The DEI Trans Tunnel Shield Complete Kit (PN 050530)
https://www.lsxmag.com/news/installi...-side-shields/
(Low $100)


Elite Engineering's Corvette Undercarriage 1/4" Ceramic Tunnel Plate AND Thermal-Abs
https://www.c6performance.net/catalo...-p-484102.html
($275-$300)


LG Motosports
https://www.c6performance.net/catalo...-p-502929.html
($300-$400)


Koolmat Heatmaster Insulated Tunnel Shield C5 / C6 ZO6 Corvette 1997-13
https://www.lingenfelter.com/product/KM-08001.html
($400+)

CrazyCowboy insulation kit
http://www.exoticvette.com/c6-insulation-kit.htm
($400+)


There is a 6th option… 2020 M2 Competition but I will save that as a last resort.

 

My C5 had this and so did my C6. I did the Elite Engineering mod (the second link) and it tamed it down. I could not keep drinks in the cup holder as it warmed them up to a point I couldn't drink it.

 

I have the DEI kid on mine. Made a big difference. But I think I'm going to go with the CrazyCowboy insulation kit for mine. I daily drive mine and sick of interstate road/tire noise

 

Somebodies got little insulation kits for the cup holder and the console. They help those areas but obviously nowhere else.

 

I did Elites 1/4" ceramic plate & a hood vent! between the 2 it's very tolerable,

As a side note the 1/4" tunnel plate really stiffens the car up.

 

I used dynamat and crazy cowboy type insulation and heat was dramatically reduced.

 

I have decided to go with a double shield approach to try and resolve the heat issue that is driving me crazy, here is what I am thinking:

C6 Corvette LG Motorsports Tunnel Plate, 1/4" thick T6 Aluminum
https://www.c6performance.net/catalo...-p-502928.html

C6 Corvette LG Motorsports Tunnel Plate, Heat Buster, 2000 Degree Tunnel Heat Shield
https://www.c6performance.net/catalo...-p-502929.html

The install requires partial removal of the stock exhaust system, problem is I can't find any local shop around my area that will do the install. I have called and emailed the two so called Corvette shops in the immediate Pensacola area but they are both useless and will not return any inquires to date. I went to one of the shops in person this past week and within 2 minutes some ***-clown is whistling at me, nice lack-of customer service.

 

Should make a nice difference!

 

Might as well put on some headers while it's apart.

 

 

Elite Ceramic here. My Snicker bars no longer melt.

 

If you want to drive over to Gulfport these guys did a great job putting an exhaust on my C4. There web site is all about trucks but they will work on anything. https://www.performanceofgpt.com/

We also have a couple of local Corvette shops that have good reputations. I could ask our club membership, Mississippi Gulf Coast Corvette Club, for recommendations if you like. They may know someone in your area as well. I will post a question on our Facebook page to see if they know anyone in your area.

 

A couple of guys in our club suggested Leo's Corvettes and R&R Performance Automotive. Not sure if you tried either.

Another member stated: =AZVwUP-QPEPpgCnxinHVgpQy73isa-dx7QikOH-DkLBCOruKotFXYO8Ppsa9gLe9hO60P6SYA88Vzmp f15alPrJ1hMcX0bYNBkaFZea86seuPSGnGIlz_p5 rvVNkrHS7KeL7YdC-087J_x5dFY-NGsw_zcZREJdpKs1DOO-lluBCEI3SGyRq5AzljtngTmK0zoU&__tn__=R]-R]Thomas Adams

Although I'm no GM certified mechanic, I am a mechanic and recovering engineer. Ha!
Anyhow, not sure what she has in mind but if she's wanting to install the kit from -R&c[0]=AT1JOx7790jXL6iq9zbsx_BaBiQCwA-D_AlcViwIOTpra68FVPO9zCXxd-Yrmd5Y-2eqKe5Dcvd7T_H3EZv7EgyJYJTAxGe1NQan75fPl OkXNsbTAmneMLs4RSHYbXwhe8LJGf1vLRDelqBTZ 6FHKBlFUT9DC8PceJmMHqXfB_3V0lGcCf7ZMyAOx Nc2xZHTFc2Q68Jh-J_nlULA1t4iyg]exoticvette.com, I believe I can help her and I'll not charge her an arm-n-a-leg.
tombugsey@gmail.com

Hope this helps

 

Thank you so much for your help! I have a friend who just purchased a 2010 GS and he wants to do the same thing I am was planning to deal with interior heat.

Tried Leo’s Corvettes first, complete waste of time, 2 phone calls, 3 emails and a visit to the shop in person, will look into R&R this week.

I have absolutely NO problem driving to Gulfport, I love that area, go to Biloxi at least twice a month, I am a Casino fanatic

I am assuming your club is open to owners outside of the immediate area?

Thanks again!

Forgot to mention, I investigated the interior insulation kit from “Crazy Cowboy”, the estimated labor for the full install was around $800. Someone had mentioned to add headers while I do the undercarriage mods, personally I see no reason to add headers to a 427, she sounds (when NNP is open) and performs just fine as is plus I was told the headers would produce more heat over the OEM exhaust.

 

Ok - let me know how things work out, glad to help. Yes our club is welcome to members from out of the area. We have over 300 registered members but probably about 100 that are really active. A lot of the people go to the bigger shows in Florida.

 

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, again thank you for the information on the Gulfport shop!

I have not contacted them yet,I mentioned this in another thread so I will mention it again. I have been getting very frustrated with the 427 and this past weekend I almost did the deed.

A part of me is thinking my venture into Corvette World will be short lived. I said Sorry Dad in my other post because, he owned and worked on Chevy Corvettes back in the early 70’s when I was just a twinkle in his eye. I am thinking a return to BMW ownership. This past July 4th weekend I took the 427 to a BMW dealership to see what type of trade-in deal I could get on a new 2020 M2 Competition. I have to say the trade-in offer was very interesting, I was expecting less and ready to fight for more. I was awfully close to pulling the trigger, but the Finance Manager and I had a "difference of opinion" to the point that I walked away from the deal after 2+ hours at the dealership.

Perhaps that was an omen to give the white beast another shot.... I’ll give the shop a call next week.

 

Vinal13 I hope you stick with a Corvette, insulating the tunnel isn't that big a deal.
Plenty of quality product available and not difficult to install.

 

You might contact member Crazy Cowboy on here. He has insulation kits and does installs. His company is Exotic Vettes and I believe he is in Miami. Great guy!

http://www.exoticvette.com/

 

I used the Elite 1/4" Ceramic Tunnel Plate with Thermal Abs, and removed the cats (probably the biggest help), and it's much better. Not completely gone, but much, much better.

I read your other post about you considering the M2. Have you decided? IMO, the Vert is less refined, but more raw, brute strength, IMHO. On a track I'd bet the Vert would smoke the M2, and not just from power but also handling?

My opinion, worth what you paid for it...

 

I consider myself an experienced HP driver, I have about 10 plus years of SCCA Autocross and HPD track experience. I have owned a couple of Mazda Miata’s, a BMW Z3 M Coupe, BMW M3 and up until February of this year a BMW 2016 M2 with suspension and a few engine mods.

To answer your question, would the Corvette a C6 in this case, would smoke the M2? That would be a NO..

I drove a slightly modified 2004 Z06 at the FIRM in Starke, FL. Although the C5 had a 130 HP advantage, I was still almost a full 2.8 seconds off my average time when driving the M2. I mentioned this in a previous post so I will repeat since it’s relevant to your question. I was unable to fling the C5 Z06 around tight corners like I could in the M2, I just did not feel any confidence in the car. I can tell you that I have been flagged to pass many other C5 and C6 Corvette on the track simply because I have more driving experience and the M2 is a more “track friendly” car than say a stock C5/Z06 or a stock C6 GS/Z06. If you put equally skilled drivers in either car, I think the M2 would show near equal or slightly better times, she just feels more at home on the track.

The biggest factor in my decision to get yet another M2 is trying to recapture how I feel after a track session, driving a suspension and engine tuned M2 on a track is awesome and FUN, I did not feel either after driving the C5 Z06.

I have not eliminated a 2nd Corvette as a track toy out just yet, As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to give it another shot and move up a generation and drive a C6 Z06 in a few weeks.
I flirted with getting rid of my 2013 / 427 for a new 2020 BMW M2 Competition last weekend, but that did not happen, for now I am keeping the "White Beast".