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

amerimuscle · 02-12-2013, 04:57 PM

So i got my long tubes put on by a fairly reputable shop here and when i got my car back i noticed that my tunnel brace was in the box with my old manifolds and cats. How important is having the tunnel brace on? does it not fit most aftermarket systems? how many of you are brace-less ?

I have the LG super pro LTH 1 7/8, catless into a full 3 in system.

thahemp · 02-12-2013, 05:08 PM

Mine is still sitting on my shop floor. I've had it off for several months now. I just need to get some spacers and put it back on, but I haven't noticed any changes with it off.

nukemustang · 02-12-2013, 05:52 PM

You might be able to adjust the exhaust up far enough to clear the brace. If not, several companys offer modified braces to have an offset so that a 3" exhaust will easily clear the brace. One is from ARH and is like $450, ad one if from Stainless Works and is $180.

I only have the 2.5" exhaust and know i have about a 1/2" of clearance to the front (convertible) and rear braces.

JDP Sales · 02-12-2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amerimuscle

So i got my long tubes put on by a fairly reputable shop here and when i got my car back i noticed that my tunnel brace was in the box with my old manifolds and cats. How important is having the tunnel brace on? does it not fit most aftermarket systems? how many of you are brace-less ?

I have the LG super pro LTH 1 7/8, catless into a full 3 in system.

Do you have a convertible? If so that is the reason they removed the brace as there is not much clearance. We do offer the Stainless Works Convertible Brace Kit.

Part#: CA11CONVKIT

The Stainless Works convertible kit adapts the clearance around the convertible frame bracing to allow for the use of 3" dual exhausts. Kit includes heavy duty 14 gage 304 SS front bracing to replace OEM brace, as well as spacers to provide extra clearance behind the differential at the rear bracing. All 304 SS construction with 304 SS hardware included.

Feel free to call, PM or email me with questions.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

rdblan2 · 02-12-2013, 07:12 PM

Mine has been off the car since about June of 2010. I'm adding the BMR subframe connector and bought the tunnel brace to go with it as well. I noticed no difference with the factory tunnel brace being gone.

axis · 02-12-2013, 07:27 PM

It's there for a reason and has been debated numerous times. Searching this section will come up with several threads on it.

Basically, it provides structural integrity across the tunnel. Some are very in tune with their cars and can feel the difference while others can't. There are several routes you can go to remedy the problem. New lower hanging brace as JDP suggested, add washers to lower the OEM one, or try to get the exhaust to push up higher. The choice is yours and all will work.

amerimuscle · 02-12-2013, 08:10 PM

my buddy said it may add some stiffness to the car, so it got me thinking. Its not a convertable. I didnt notice a difference. So in conclusion the shop i got it done at isnt completely incompetent and there are aftermarket braces. good work guys, thanks a lot!

Sack Rat 2SS · 02-13-2013, 09:41 AM

The driveshaft is a two piece unit. The middle joint is directly ABOVE where the tunnel brace attaches. It is there for additional stability to the middle joint bearings. I would not drive very long without one.

BowlingSS · 02-13-2013, 10:48 AM

I bought an Elite Engineering Tunnel Brace and still had to space it down.

Bill

blake-b · 02-13-2013, 11:27 AM

I have 3" exhaust and a BMR tunnel brace and didn't have to space it down. I used a floorjack and a piece of wood and elevated the exhaust up as high as it would go without hitting anything on top. I then tightened the exhaust from front to back. When I lowered the jack, it didn't drop much, if any, at all.

I then put the brace on and have no rubbing issues.

02-12-2013, 04:57 PM	#1
amerimuscle Drives: 2011 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 414	Tunnel brace? So i got my long tubes put on by a fairly reputable shop here and when i got my car back i noticed that my tunnel brace was in the box with my old manifolds and cats. How important is having the tunnel brace on? does it not fit most aftermarket systems? how many of you are brace-less ? I have the LG super pro LTH 1 7/8, catless into a full 3 in system.

02-12-2013, 05:08 PM	#2
thahemp Geek Drives: 2012 Black LS3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Derby, KS Posts: 4,343 View My Garage	Mine is still sitting on my shop floor. I've had it off for several months now. I just need to get some spacers and put it back on, but I haven't noticed any changes with it off. __________________ 01000111011011110110111101100100001000000110110001 11010101100011011010110010000001110111011010010111 01000110100000100000011101000110100001101001011100 110010000001101111011011100110010100100001 x = ac97968bd3df8f968c8cd3df998a9c94d3df9c8a918bd3df9c 909c94df8c8a9c949a8dd3df92908b979a8ddf998a9c949a8d d3df8b968b8cd1 x = ~x

02-12-2013, 05:52 PM	#3
nukemustang Drives: 2017 Raptor, 2017 SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 277	You might be able to adjust the exhaust up far enough to clear the brace. If not, several companys offer modified braces to have an offset so that a 3" exhaust will easily clear the brace. One is from ARH and is like $450, ad one if from Stainless Works and is $180. I only have the 2.5" exhaust and know i have about a 1/2" of clearance to the front (convertible) and rear braces. __________________ Saving for: 2019 ZL1 convertible..... SOLD:2016 2SS Red Hot Convertible with black metallic rally stripes SOLD:2011 Silver Ice Metallic 1SS/RS Convertible. Completed modifications: installed factory HUD, deleted AFM/DOD, Dynatech LT coated headers with high flow cats, Solo Cat back exhaust, CAI inc. intake, Vmax ported TB, SIM quarter flares/splash guards, steering wheel radio controls, PDIM iPod interface in center console, RX catch can, JRE cold air scoop, windshield washer bottle relocation.

02-12-2013, 07:12 PM	#5
rdblan2 Drives: 2SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,272	Mine has been off the car since about June of 2010. I'm adding the BMR subframe connector and bought the tunnel brace to go with it as well. I noticed no difference with the factory tunnel brace being gone. __________________ Livernois 2C cam and tune, LS3 conversion, Roto-Fab intake, Kooks headers, DSS driveshaft and axles, BMR suspension parts, VMax ported throttle body, Whipple blower. (623hp).

02-12-2013, 07:27 PM	#6
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	It's there for a reason and has been debated numerous times. Searching this section will come up with several threads on it. Basically, it provides structural integrity across the tunnel. Some are very in tune with their cars and can feel the difference while others can't. There are several routes you can go to remedy the problem. New lower hanging brace as JDP suggested, add washers to lower the OEM one, or try to get the exhaust to push up higher. The choice is yours and all will work. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

02-12-2013, 08:10 PM	#7
amerimuscle Drives: 2011 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 414	my buddy said it may add some stiffness to the car, so it got me thinking. Its not a convertable. I didnt notice a difference. So in conclusion the shop i got it done at isnt completely incompetent and there are aftermarket braces. good work guys, thanks a lot!

02-13-2013, 09:41 AM	#8
Sack Rat 2SS Drives: Silver SS/RS, Man 6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 884	The driveshaft is a two piece unit. The middle joint is directly ABOVE where the tunnel brace attaches. It is there for additional stability to the middle joint bearings. I would not drive very long without one. __________________ Silver 2SS/RS Man/6 CTS-V front 6-Piston Calipers, GM 3.91 Rear Gears

02-13-2013, 10:48 AM	#9
BowlingSS Camaro Owner Since 1987 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS L99 RJT Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 2,185	I bought an Elite Engineering Tunnel Brace and still had to space it down. Bill __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 RJT CAI, Inc. Cold Air Induction;ADM Scoop Rx Catch Can;Rx Breather;Roto-Fab Washer Container VMax Ported RJT Throttle Body XSPower Headers and XSPower 3" Exhaust System Elite Engineering Tunnel Brace, Gorilla Wheel Lock System; Bear Rotors, Hawk HPS Tinted Windows 35%;EFILive Tune

02-13-2013, 11:27 AM	#10
blake-b Drives: 2009 ZR1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,205	I have 3" exhaust and a BMR tunnel brace and didn't have to space it down. I used a floorjack and a piece of wood and elevated the exhaust up as high as it would go without hitting anything on top. I then tightened the exhaust from front to back. When I lowered the jack, it didn't drop much, if any, at all. I then put the brace on and have no rubbing issues.