Tunnel brace - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

E.T. · 06-14-2012, 08:14 AM

Who's got the best deal on the Elite Engineering tunnel brace? Any other brands to consider?

My exhaust is only 2.5", and I normally don't hear rattle, but sometimes when I pull into my driveway (which is kind of bumpy) I'll hear a metallic clank. I also went over a speed bump the other week and heard this same clank. It's hard to tell from in the cabin, but it sounds like it's coming from behind me. There seems to be enough clearance now, but I'd rather have a bit more.

daveagogo1 · 06-14-2012, 08:42 AM

Put it up on a rack and push up, pull down and or hit with a rubber mallet to pintpoint rattle. 2.5 exhaust should not need a new brace unless it isn't up tightly.

Check for rubbing on heatshield and or tranny vent ine as well on passenger side.

SGOS252382 · 06-14-2012, 08:53 AM

It is most likely your exhaust making contact with the stock tunnel brace. I also have a 2.5" exhaust (Magnaflow) and my exhaust frequently made contact with the stock tunnel brace.

I did all the normal things.
1. Re-positioned the exhaust so it wouldn't make contact with the tunnel brace. But over time the exhaust would settle and I would again get contact noise.
2. Put washers on the stock tunnel brace. That worked for a while, but I didn't like having washers on the stock tunnel brace.
3. I got an aftermarket tunnel brace and my problem was solved. I've never had the problem since.

Also, some have just removed the stock tunnel brace. Most say it really doesn't do much.

A good test is just removed the stock tunnel brace for a day and see if you hear the noise. If you don't hear the noise, you know its coming from your tunnel brace.

E.T. · 06-14-2012, 09:02 AM

I didn't really notice a problem until I installed my high flow cats. I think their flex pipe allows a bit more movement than the stock one. This is a very infrequent problem, and I've only heard it a few times when hitting big bumps.

orangejuice · 06-14-2012, 12:32 PM

Yeah definitely. I have the Corsa and the exhaust wasn't pushed up enough and it was rubbing on the brace. Just loosen the clamps and reposition it and tighten the clamps down. Or you can get an aftermarket one that has a different shape to it to allow for more room for the pipes

daveagogo1 · 06-14-2012, 12:33 PM

If you find you need one. I have a 3" exhaust and a solid billet brace i picked up from TORQ. this brace clears my exhaust no problem.

E.T. · 06-21-2012, 06:40 PM

I ended up going with the Elite Engineering tunnel brace. It adds a bit of extra clearance, and it's a really nice looking piece. It's too bad no one can see it!

BlackM6RS/SS · 06-21-2012, 06:46 PM

I had problems when I first put on my ARH system... I then realized the 3" X pipe was put on the wrong way, I flipped it around and it clears with way more clearance needed.

Nice peice! Im sure its more rigid as well.... The list never ends

E.T. · 06-21-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackM6RS/SS

I had problems when I first put on my ARH system... I then realized the 3" X pipe was put on the wrong way, I flipped it around and it clears with way more clearance needed.

Nice peice! Im sure its more rigid as well.... The list never ends

Oh yeah, it feels really solid. The stock one seems pretty flimsy in comparison.

MarylandSpeed · 06-21-2012, 10:18 PM

2.5" exhaust is normally fine on the stock brace. One thing I recommend if you have the ability to do it is tack/spot weld the exhaust slipfits. This prevents the clamps from loosening and the joints backing out, yet still leaves it easy to take the exhaust off by cutting the little tack welds.

06-14-2012, 08:14 AM	#1
E.T. Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 2,553	Tunnel brace Who's got the best deal on the Elite Engineering tunnel brace? Any other brands to consider? My exhaust is only 2.5", and I normally don't hear rattle, but sometimes when I pull into my driveway (which is kind of bumpy) I'll hear a metallic clank. I also went over a speed bump the other week and heard this same clank. It's hard to tell from in the cabin, but it sounds like it's coming from behind me. There seems to be enough clearance now, but I'd rather have a bit more. __________________ Solo Mach XL with J-Pipes · Cold Air Inductions Intake w/JRE Scoop · Jannetty SCT Tune· Roto-Fab Washer Bottle · Defenderworx Bowties · Vmax Ported TB · LPE 3.70 Gears · Dynatech SuperMAXX Headers · Elite Engineering Tunnel Brace · CFD Pistol Grip TapShifter · GM Strut Tower Brace

06-14-2012, 08:53 AM	#3
SGOS252382 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 5,944	It is most likely your exhaust making contact with the stock tunnel brace. I also have a 2.5" exhaust (Magnaflow) and my exhaust frequently made contact with the stock tunnel brace. I did all the normal things. 1. Re-positioned the exhaust so it wouldn't make contact with the tunnel brace. But over time the exhaust would settle and I would again get contact noise. 2. Put washers on the stock tunnel brace. That worked for a while, but I didn't like having washers on the stock tunnel brace. 3. I got an aftermarket tunnel brace and my problem was solved. I've never had the problem since. Also, some have just removed the stock tunnel brace. Most say it really doesn't do much. A good test is just removed the stock tunnel brace for a day and see if you hear the noise. If you don't hear the noise, you know its coming from your tunnel brace. __________________

06-14-2012, 09:02 AM	#4
E.T. Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 2,553	I didn't really notice a problem until I installed my high flow cats. I think their flex pipe allows a bit more movement than the stock one. This is a very infrequent problem, and I've only heard it a few times when hitting big bumps. __________________ Solo Mach XL with J-Pipes · Cold Air Inductions Intake w/JRE Scoop · Jannetty SCT Tune· Roto-Fab Washer Bottle · Defenderworx Bowties · Vmax Ported TB · LPE 3.70 Gears · Dynatech SuperMAXX Headers · Elite Engineering Tunnel Brace · CFD Pistol Grip TapShifter · GM Strut Tower Brace

06-14-2012, 12:32 PM	#5
orangejuice H1 OFCR Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS IOM Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Shelby Twp., Michigan Posts: 1,256	Yeah definitely. I have the Corsa and the exhaust wasn't pushed up enough and it was rubbing on the brace. Just loosen the clamps and reposition it and tighten the clamps down. Or you can get an aftermarket one that has a different shape to it to allow for more room for the pipes __________________ Corsa Rotofab BBK ZL1 Hood/Fascia AAC Afterburners/Sidemarkers Havoc Black Chrome 5% Tint/20% Smoked Taillights

06-21-2012, 06:40 PM	#7
E.T. Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 2,553	I ended up going with the Elite Engineering tunnel brace. It adds a bit of extra clearance, and it's a really nice looking piece. It's too bad no one can see it! Attached Images __________________ Solo Mach XL with J-Pipes · Cold Air Inductions Intake w/JRE Scoop · Jannetty SCT Tune· Roto-Fab Washer Bottle · Defenderworx Bowties · Vmax Ported TB · LPE 3.70 Gears · Dynatech SuperMAXX Headers · Elite Engineering Tunnel Brace · CFD Pistol Grip TapShifter · GM Strut Tower Brace

06-21-2012, 06:46 PM	#8
BlackM6RS/SS Drives: 2010 Black M6 RS/2SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Benbrook, TX Posts: 226	I had problems when I first put on my ARH system... I then realized the 3" X pipe was put on the wrong way, I flipped it around and it clears with way more clearance needed. Nice peice! Im sure its more rigid as well.... The list never ends __________________ 2010 Blk/Blk RS/2SS w/CGM Stripes 5% tint ADM Performance H/C/I M6 3.91s 479rwhp 435rwtq

06-21-2012, 10:18 PM	#10
MarylandSpeed Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,265	2.5" exhaust is normally fine on the stock brace. One thing I recommend if you have the ability to do it is tack/spot weld the exhaust slipfits. This prevents the clamps from loosening and the joints backing out, yet still leaves it easy to take the exhaust off by cutting the little tack welds. __________________ Phone- 443-730-9428 Now Offering Installs and Tuning! * Check Out Our New 2010 Camaro Section!