Putting the
Tunnel Plates to
the
"Temperature"
Test! Actual Test Data
We have received
tons of calls
asking how the
Tunnel
Reinforcement
Plate improves
or affects
interior console
heat.
More
specifically how
does the “coated
plate” compare
to the “uncoated
plate” and the
“Stock OEM
plate”. There
has been so much
talk that we
decided to put
each
plate to the
test. Each
plate was
installed on a
C5 and tested in
a
temperature-controlled
environment.
All
thermocouples
were calibrated
prior to testing
and remained in
position and
untouched from
test to test.
All
temperatures are
in degrees
Fahrenheit.
Here are our
findings:
As expected, the
coated 0.134”
thick stainless
steel
version showed
the most
reduction in
interior console
temperatures
compared to the
Stock OEM plate.
Our test showed
an
improvement of
over 33 degrees.
Second in
improvement was
the
coated 1/4”
thick Aluminum
version.
Although not as
significant
as the coated
stainless steel,
it is much
better than
stock. Over 23
degrees better
than the
Stock OEM plate.
Third on our
list was the
uncoated 0.134”
thick stainless
steel
version. We
were a little
surprised to see
how well the
stainless steel
version
performed even
without any type
of
coating.
Click each
picture to
enlarge
(1) Omega Model
CL23A
Calibrator-thermometer
(2) "K-type"
Thermocouples
(4) "T-type"
Thermocouples
This "K type"
thermocouple was
suspended in
between the
Catalytic
Converters
during each
test.
The "K"
thermocouple was
chosen because
of
its better
accuracy at
elevated
temperatures.
The T4
thermocouple was
positioned at
the
passenger's side
exhaust
manifold.
Measured
temperatures
were consistent
at about 520F.
In my opinion,
the most
important part
of this test
was to measure
the temperature
effects inside
the
console. Two
"T-type"
thermocouples
were used
for this
measurement.
We also tested
the coated plate
at extreme
conditions. As
you can see from
the picture
below, at over
1475F, there was
no effect to the
coating. This
was tested on
the 1/4" thick
aluminum
version.
