Elite Engineering Corvette C6, 1/4" Aluminum Tunnel Plate w/Thermal Abs

[coati]

I just had installed today in my XLR-V, the Elite Engineering Corvette C6, 1/4" Aluminum Tunnel Plate w/Thermal Abs ($298 shipped).

http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/E...ent_Plate.html

It is a direct replacement for the 1/8" thick OEM aluminum tunnel plate that comes with our XLR-V's and probably the XLR's as well.

So far what I have noticed is a more solid & damped chassis that allows the suspension to work more effectively.
The console temperature seems cooler, the cabin quieter and the ride and drive is more enjoyable.

You may want to consider this if-

•You want reduced interior and console temperatures
•You want improved handling
•Reduction of chassis flex (increases life span of expensive components which become adversely affected during high performance driving)
•Less interior noise
•Less interior heat
•You want reduced creaks and squeaks

Highly recommended!

 

[onalaska]

This looks like something I want to do, particularly to help reduce the temperature of the console during the summer months. Sounds like a great idea. How long did it take to install? I do have a vehicle lift so and that would make the job a lot easier. Do you need new gaskets for the exhaust?

 

[coati]

This looks like something I want to do, particularly to help reduce the temperature of the console during the summer months. Sounds like a great idea. How long did it take to install? I do have a vehicle lift so and that would make the job a lot easier. Do you need new gaskets for the exhaust?

I had the local Cadillac dealership do the install for me.
I believe it took them about 1 1/2 hours or so to do it.
Therefore, it'll probably take you at least 1 1/2 - 3 hours or so.

You'll have to remove the H-pipe in the middle to access the tunnel plate.
You should be able to reuse the gaskets unless they're old & brittle or you damage them somehow.

Have fun unscrewing & screwing the 36 bolts that hold the tunnel plate in place.

Elite Engineering installation instructions are here:

http://eliteengineeringusa.com/Installation_Instructions_Thermal-Abs.pdf

Good luck if you decide to do it.

I think you'll like it!

 

[Stella]

Hey just wanted to chime in about the tunnel plate. I purchased another stock tunnel plate for 25.00. Then I went and got one ceramic coated. After that I laminated the two pieces together via nuts and bolts down the center. The piece on top got heat reflective matting from summit basically the same stuff as pictured on the " elite " one. Your able to use your stock bolts which are plenty long enough just torque them to the right specs. Here's a pic of mine costs under 100.00. It does make a difference. Good luck.<a href="http://s1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg620/topila/?action=view&current=d082173a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg620/topila/d082173a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

[Stella]

Another tip if your trying to cool the tunnel area and give yourself a little better flow and looks. When I removed the h- pipe I brought to my powdercoater and also had ceramic coated. It keeps all the heat inside and expelled through the exhaust. Might add it looks really nice too. Cost 100.00 bucks. All this was easily done without a lift but would definitely make the job that much easier. Coati if you wanna sell your stock plate pm me.

 

[coati]

Hey just wanted to chime in about the tunnel plate. I purchased another stock tunnel plate for 25.00. Then I went and got one ceramic coated. After that I laminated the two pieces together via nuts and bolts down the center. The piece on top got heat reflective matting from summit basically the same stuff as pictured on the " elite " one. Your able to use your stock bolts which are plenty long enough just torque them to the right specs. Here's a pic of mine costs under 100.00. It does make a difference. Good luck.

Wow.

Looks GREAT!

 

[coati]

Another tip if your trying to cool the tunnel area and give yourself a little better flow and looks. When I removed the h- pipe I brought to my powdercoater and also had ceramic coated. It keeps all the heat inside and expelled through the exhaust. Might add it looks really nice too. Cost 100.00 bucks. All this was easily done without a lift but would definitely make the job that much easier. Coati if you wanna sell your stock plate pm me.

Stella,

Thanks for the great tips & ideas.

Ceramic coating the exhaust sounds good!

coati

 

[steve246810]

First hot day in KC since getting the XLR

I noticed quite a bit of heat coming from the colsole area. It seems that is pretty normal with these cars, do you all agree on that (a little over 90 here today Kansas City). I saw the upgrade on the heavy duty tunel cover, has anyone tried that and if so was it worth the expense and effort?
Needless to say, I can live with this, it's not really a big deal, I just like to improve things over factory.

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

I noticed quite a bit of heat coming from the colsole area. It seems that is pretty normal with these cars, do you all agree on that (a little over 90 here today Kansas City). I saw the upgrade on the heavy duty tunel cover, has anyone tried that and if so was it worth the expense and effort?
Needless to say, I can live with this, it's not really a big deal, I just like to improve things over factory.

It is normal but it is also annoying would like a cure also gets very warm / hot on long trips, what is this upgrade tunnel cover you know of and do you know the price and where to order it?
Caddyman Dan

 

[ChicagoDave]

It is normal but it is also annoying would like a cure also gets very warm / hot on long trips, what is this upgrade tunnel cover you know of and do you know the price and where to order it?
Caddyman Dan

Here is the thread on the tunnel plate, Dan

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...1-4-aluminum-tunnel-plate-w-thermal-abs-5855/

 

[Stella]

I have upgraded my tunnel plate from getting the recommendation from vette guys. I went the more DIY way buy doubling two stock plates together. I posted a thread all about it if interested. It does help stiffen the feel of the car and IMHO helps keep a conv. aligned. As for the heat aspect of the plate it hasn't gotten that warm here yet but should help reflect some away. On the other hand once that metal gets hot it's just gonna radiate. I ceramic coated the exhaust something learned through racing. Good luck.

 

[05 GRAND DADDY]

Another tip if your trying to cool the tunnel area and give yourself a little better flow and looks. When I removed the h- pipe I brought to my powdercoater and also had ceramic coated. It keeps all the heat inside and expelled through the exhaust. Might add it looks really nice too. Cost 100.00 bucks. All this was easily done without a lift but would definitely make the job that much easier. Coati if you wanna sell your stock plate pm me.

Would these plates for the tunnel be stock items on the Vette that I may find one at junk yard off of a wrecked vette? Or are they accessories add ons?

 

[coati]

Would these plates for the tunnel be stock items on the Vette that I may find one at junk yard off of a wrecked vette? Or are they accessories add ons?

These tunnel plates are a stock OEM item that come installed in a C5 & C6 Corvette.

The Elite Engineering tunnel plate is twice as thick (1/4") as the original C6, is ceramic coated and has a thermal heat barrier (Thermal Abs) if you order the plate with it.

This is from their website:


<TABLE id=table30 border=0 width="81%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%" colSpan=2>Since its release, the redesigned Tunnel Reinforcement Plate has been one of the hottest suspension mods for the C5 and C6 Corvette. Installed on both the C5R and C6R Race Corvettes, it has been proven over and over again to reduce the amount of torsional flex in the chassis. In addition, our ceramic coating adds another benefit by offering some heat shielding from your exhaust system.

The engineers at General Motors acknowledged the benefits of a stiffer more rigid Tunnel Reinforcement Plate and improved their original design and incorporated something similar into the new C6.​

We have Taken their design one step further!​

♦ Featured in both Corvette Fever and SPEED, STYLE, & SOUND magazine.​

We have re-engineered the undercarriage tunnel plate on the C5 and C6 with strength and performance in mind. CAD designed and computer precision cut, our 1/4” thick (6061-T6 Aluminum) “Abs-of-Aluminum” Tunnel Reinforcement Plate is twice the thickness of the stock OEM plate. The benefits of this added thickness is a much more rigid and stiffer tunnel plate. Therefore reducing the amount of flex in the chassis and improving the overall functionality of the Corvette suspension. ​

Below is a picture comparing the stock OEM C5 and C6 tunnel plates to our most popular

1/4” thick aluminum version (Abs-of-Aluminum)​

​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="50%">

Stock C6 vs. Elite's 1/4" Abs-of-Aluminum



​

</TD><TD width="50%">

Stock C5 vs. Elite's 1/4" Abs-of-Aluminum​

​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>​

 

[steve246810]

Tunel plate

I just wonder if adding some of the Dyno Mat product would produce some lower heat radiation to the console. Interesting and fairly inexpensive thought, bet it could be done for less than $100.00 and a couple of hours of time.

 

[steve246810]

Just insulation kit is available from Elite Engr

Thanks Steve, I will check them out. And yes, we could sell you just the aluminumized insulation sheet. I think it's about $130.00 from our website.

Thank you,

Steve
Elite Engineering, LLC
www.EliteEngineeringUSA.com

OK, this is what I found out from Elite Engr.
You can purchase just the insulation sheet and not spend the $$ on the thicker plate, but what the heck, that plate is coated and will firm things up a little.

 

[Stella]

Steve your exactly right you can just get the matting from like summit or so on. My tunnel already had it applied and I didn't want to cover my work. I believe it should be on the underside of the plate not top side to be doing what it's designed to do radiate the heat away. If you put the matting on the plate make sure you leave clearance around the mounting surfaces so you get the proper torques. Another thing I've heard is people making heat deflection plates and mounting on the top cats. That's where a lot of heat comes from also. Yes any plate off a c5 or c6 will work.