Hot Trunk
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 91
Likes: 14
From: Tucson Arizona
Hot Trunk
I think it was the Car & Driver test where they were complaining about the hot trunk on the C8 seeing that it is next to the engine and above the exhaust. How bad is it? How hot does it get? I'm surprised the corvette engineers couldn't find a way to get an A/C duct to it. Any solutions?
Popular Reply
Jul 7, 2023, 07:24 PM
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
Likes: 2,056
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
@GDeanBlakely
You are going to get a myriad of opinions on this, but in general, and in my experience, the "hot trunk" of the C8, while grounded in some factual truth is also a bit overblown/overstated.
You want to be careful what you put in the trunk, but you don't have to be super-concerned that you are going to ruin or melt something by just putting certain things back there. I went on a road trip shortly after taking delivery of my 2022, and my wife's makeup bag was in the trunk. After a 700 mile trip, the contents of the bag were just as they were when it was placed in the trunk.
I have the fitted luggage for the C8 and I think as long as you have good leather bags, you don't have to worry that your stick deodorant is going be a melted mess after a road trip, though it doesn't hurt to keep toiletries in the frunk as opposed the trunk.
My groceries have survived the short trip from the store just fine. I have the WeatherTech-type liners in my trunk and frunk, so perhaps that helps.
All of the above said, don't get too concerned with the "hot trunk", it really isn't an issue.
You are going to get a myriad of opinions on this, but in general, and in my experience, the "hot trunk" of the C8, while grounded in some factual truth is also a bit overblown/overstated.
You want to be careful what you put in the trunk, but you don't have to be super-concerned that you are going to ruin or melt something by just putting certain things back there. I went on a road trip shortly after taking delivery of my 2022, and my wife's makeup bag was in the trunk. After a 700 mile trip, the contents of the bag were just as they were when it was placed in the trunk.
I have the fitted luggage for the C8 and I think as long as you have good leather bags, you don't have to worry that your stick deodorant is going be a melted mess after a road trip, though it doesn't hurt to keep toiletries in the frunk as opposed the trunk.
My groceries have survived the short trip from the store just fine. I have the WeatherTech-type liners in my trunk and frunk, so perhaps that helps.
All of the above said, don't get too concerned with the "hot trunk", it really isn't an issue.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 145
Likes: 56
From: Republic of Texas
You can remove the cover to access the air filter and place a heat shield on the inside of it. I put a reflective barrier, but it only helped a little. I’d recommend a thin insulation pad with a reflective barrier on it.
The trunk isn’t extremely hot, but I wouldn’t keep the milk or ice cream back there.
The trunk isn’t extremely hot, but I wouldn’t keep the milk or ice cream back there.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
Likes: 2,056
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
@GDeanBlakely
You are going to get a myriad of opinions on this, but in general, and in my experience, the "hot trunk" of the C8, while grounded in some factual truth is also a bit overblown/overstated.
You want to be careful what you put in the trunk, but you don't have to be super-concerned that you are going to ruin or melt something by just putting certain things back there. I went on a road trip shortly after taking delivery of my 2022, and my wife's makeup bag was in the trunk. After a 700 mile trip, the contents of the bag were just as they were when it was placed in the trunk.
I have the fitted luggage for the C8 and I think as long as you have good leather bags, you don't have to worry that your stick deodorant is going be a melted mess after a road trip, though it doesn't hurt to keep toiletries in the frunk as opposed the trunk.
My groceries have survived the short trip from the store just fine. I have the WeatherTech-type liners in my trunk and frunk, so perhaps that helps.
All of the above said, don't get too concerned with the "hot trunk", it really isn't an issue.
You are going to get a myriad of opinions on this, but in general, and in my experience, the "hot trunk" of the C8, while grounded in some factual truth is also a bit overblown/overstated.
You want to be careful what you put in the trunk, but you don't have to be super-concerned that you are going to ruin or melt something by just putting certain things back there. I went on a road trip shortly after taking delivery of my 2022, and my wife's makeup bag was in the trunk. After a 700 mile trip, the contents of the bag were just as they were when it was placed in the trunk.
I have the fitted luggage for the C8 and I think as long as you have good leather bags, you don't have to worry that your stick deodorant is going be a melted mess after a road trip, though it doesn't hurt to keep toiletries in the frunk as opposed the trunk.
My groceries have survived the short trip from the store just fine. I have the WeatherTech-type liners in my trunk and frunk, so perhaps that helps.
All of the above said, don't get too concerned with the "hot trunk", it really isn't an issue.
Last edited by Chemdawg99; Jul 7, 2023 at 09:52 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,094
From: Fulshear, TX
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,379
Likes: 3,453
From: Granada Hills CA
I think it was the Car & Driver test where they were complaining about the hot trunk on the C8 seeing that it is next to the engine and above the exhaust. How bad is it? How hot does it get? I'm surprised the corvette engineers couldn't find a way to get an A/C duct to it. Any solutions?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 262
Likes: 211
From: Alaska
It gets warm but not hand burning hot. Some people exaggerate. Would I put cold groceries back there? No. Do I think it would honestly hurt it? Probably not. I wouldn't go on long trips with groceries in the trunk driving spirited.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 612
Likes: 69
From: Southwestern PA
Trunk warming has been around in the C5, C6 and C7, don't have experience with other generations.
With the config of the exhaust under the trunk, had to happen.
I agree with the above that I wouldn't put the ice cream in the trunk. I tested with a thermometer and I got something like 130 F after a full days run.
With the config of the exhaust under the trunk, had to happen.
I agree with the above that I wouldn't put the ice cream in the trunk. I tested with a thermometer and I got something like 130 F after a full days run.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 910
A front engine car even with superior ventilation in comparison to the limited fresh air flow of a mid-engine car gets, is then inevitable not to have hand burning hot temperatures in such a compressed area whether it is a coupe or vert. Temperature gauges might not be 100% accurate but cannot be dismissed but if in doubt, draining motor oil or antifreeze immediately after turning off the engine would be a good indication if either one comes in contact with flesh.
Add the burning hot temperatures of the entire exhaust system under the trunk and there isn't much engineers can do to resolve the heat issue. In plain words, we have to live with it.
George
Add the burning hot temperatures of the entire exhaust system under the trunk and there isn't much engineers can do to resolve the heat issue. In plain words, we have to live with it.
George
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,599
Likes: 12,843
From: Virginia
Just like the guy in another thread complaining about the C8 cup holder being a bad design because it didn't hold his particular coffee cup tight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 2,282
From: Simi Valley, CA
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you have gas/exhaust smell in your frunk or trunk I would recommend a trip to the dealer. I have a 2022 HTC and have NEVER smelled exhaust or gas in either. I don't think that's normal.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 910
It can be. If fast and high shifting at high RPMs for a prolonged period of time take place, similar to running rich. Occurs usually at a track or when a high spirited driver is having extra ordinary fun. Most high performance cars will have those symptoms under those circumstances.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 849
Likes: 387
From: White
You can remove the cover to access the air filter and place a heat shield on the inside of it. I put a reflective barrier, but it only helped a little. I’d recommend a thin insulation pad with a reflective barrier on it.
The trunk isn’t extremely hot, but I wouldn’t keep the milk or ice cream back there.
The trunk isn’t extremely hot, but I wouldn’t keep the milk or ice cream back there.
can drop temp in trunk by at least 30. Degrees
have read 2 tests one where on a 32 degree day temp went to 90 plus and another where outside temp was 90 and temp went to 134
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 737
You don't want to put things that would normally be in the fridge, there for long. Everything else is OK. Note the bottom of the trunk gets hotter (exhaust system?)
I love storing clothes back there on ski trips because they are nice an toasty.
I love storing clothes back there on ski trips because they are nice an toasty.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 237
Likes: 127
From: Port Coquitlam BC
I get it - we are going wine tasting this week, to a wine region about a 5 hour drive away. Would love to have talen the C8 HTC for the drive, but between the heat in the trunk and how small they are - I don't think we could get enough wine in the car,. We are going to have to drive our new Cadillac CT5-V. Isn't that just terrible!!
First world problem. I hope you all realize my sarcasm.....sorta sarcasm. 😁🍷
First world problem. I hope you all realize my sarcasm.....sorta sarcasm. 😁🍷
Last edited by f1rob; Jul 9, 2023 at 11:18 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,759
Likes: 2,412
From: DFW/Long Island