Tunnel plate
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 427
Likes: 54
From: oroville ca
Tunnel plate
Im really not sure what to call it but the plate under the c6 covers the exhaust .. I have seen a video where the replacement plate is so much stronger and beefier. Does anyone have any experience with the performance improvements when the stock plate is replaced by an aftermarket one? Is it enough to notice or feel by a driver ?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 1,097
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
Can't speak to a C6, but I did notice a difference in my C5.
That rhythmic freeway vibration was dramatically reduced. It's still detectable, but just barely.
IMO... cutting the roof in half for a targa top was a lame thing to do.
That rhythmic freeway vibration was dramatically reduced. It's still detectable, but just barely.
IMO... cutting the roof in half for a targa top was a lame thing to do.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,628
Im really not sure what to call it but the plate under the c6 covers the exhaust .. I have seen a video where the replacement plate is so much stronger and beefier. Does anyone have any experience with the performance improvements when the stock plate is replaced by an aftermarket one? Is it enough to notice or feel by a driver ?
Yes, and it really a two part thing.
The first is that the thicker/stronger torque tube cover stiffens up the chassis/frame (think of it as the bottom wall of a square tube), and the second is most will come with heat shield to keep the cabin cooler as well.
Also to note, the Base C6 is steel frame, while the Z06 and ZR1 frame are aluminum, and stiffer to begin with.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,412
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
C-5 Corvette had a thin flexy steel plate. C6 has a 1/8 inch thick aluminum tunnel plate.
I don’t know what the C7 has but I assume it’s similar.
I would not take apart a C6 to install a plate but if you’re in there anyway a good cheap option is to just buy an additional one and install it. Double them up, double the stiffness for under 100 bucks, can get them on eBay.
I install double C6 tunnel plates on my C5, made an immediate and noticeable difference.
I don’t know what the C7 has but I assume it’s similar.
I would not take apart a C6 to install a plate but if you’re in there anyway a good cheap option is to just buy an additional one and install it. Double them up, double the stiffness for under 100 bucks, can get them on eBay.
I install double C6 tunnel plates on my C5, made an immediate and noticeable difference.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,150
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Yup .. An aftermarket tunnel plate such as the 'Elite Engineering' insulated tunnel plate is much thicker aluminum than the stock C6 tunnel plate. It is also insulated whereas the stock tunnel plate is not insulated.
The best time to change the tunnel plate is when you remove the exhaust system for a set of headers ... very simple job then (just a lot of screws)
The best time to change the tunnel plate is when you remove the exhaust system for a set of headers ... very simple job then (just a lot of screws)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 427
Likes: 54
From: oroville ca
oh double up the plates hmmm thats an idea especially if I could get them welded together first then they would be much stronger good idea. And you all noticed a difference right away too okay that is all I wanted to know because the C6 coupe as you say is not as stiff or strong as the Z06 or the Zr1 even though the frame is steel rather than aluminum... okay well thank you very much I am getting the plate from aftermarket as my main concern is stiffness and making the ridgittity of the vehicle stronger and more responsive ...
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,472
Likes: 546
From: Jackson NJ
Im really not sure what to call it but the plate under the c6 covers the exhaust .. I have seen a video where the replacement plate is so much stronger and beefier. Does anyone have any experience with the performance improvements when the stock plate is replaced by an aftermarket one? Is it enough to notice or feel by a driver ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 171
From: Auburn Al
Yes, and it really a two part thing.
The first is that the thicker/stronger torque tube cover stiffens up the chassis/frame (think of it as the bottom wall of a square tube), and the second is most will come with heat shield to keep the cabin cooler as well.
Also to note, the Base C6 is steel frame, while the Z06 and ZR1 frame are aluminum, and stiffer to begin with.
The first is that the thicker/stronger torque tube cover stiffens up the chassis/frame (think of it as the bottom wall of a square tube), and the second is most will come with heat shield to keep the cabin cooler as well.
Also to note, the Base C6 is steel frame, while the Z06 and ZR1 frame are aluminum, and stiffer to begin with.
Last edited by jonjoy; May 23, 2021 at 04:40 PM.
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thing knower
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: wpb
oh double up the plates hmmm thats an idea especially if I could get them welded together first then they would be much stronger good idea. And you all noticed a difference right away too okay that is all I wanted to know because the C6 coupe as you say is not as stiff or strong as the Z06 or the Zr1 even though the frame is steel rather than aluminum... okay well thank you very much I am getting the plate from aftermarket as my main concern is stiffness and making the ridgittity of the vehicle stronger and more responsive ...
I would strongly recommend putting the cash elsewhere.... a really nice tune will make a massive difference...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
oh double up the plates hmmm thats an idea especially if I could get them welded together first then they would be much stronger good idea. And you all noticed a difference right away too okay that is all I wanted to know because the C6 coupe as you say is not as stiff or strong as the Z06 or the Zr1 even though the frame is steel rather than aluminum... okay well thank you very much I am getting the plate from aftermarket as my main concern is stiffness and making the ridgittity of the vehicle stronger and more responsive ...