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

Dupontdon24 · 04-29-2013, 06:23 AM

Installed LG exhaust system, is it normal to have to lower the tunnel brace more than 1 1/2?. Just doesn't seem right, might just be me. Thanks

The Stig · 04-29-2013, 06:25 AM

Is it a 3" system?

litle88 · 04-29-2013, 06:37 AM

Or you can just get rid of it. It's up to you.

SSDan · 04-29-2013, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dupontdon24

Installed LG exhaust system, is it normal to have to lower the tunnel brace more than 1 1/2?. Just doesn't seem right, might just be me. Thanks

Don't know about the LG. I have a full ARH system and mine clears the brace easily with no spacers needed. If everything else lined up well and you don't have any rattles or vibration contact I'd guess you are OK. Many others have had to add spacers to get clearance.

Off topic - Did I ever mention to you we have a car club here in central SC ( Cola, Lex, Chapin, Irmo - etc.)? I handle membership if you are interested. We have a lot of modded Gen 5 Camaros in the club so we help each other out with info and ideas a lot. Let me know if you are interested.

Dupontdon24 · 04-29-2013, 06:43 AM

Yes it's 3". I was going to get rid of it but I thought I seen it helps keep the floor boards or something from collapsing. Kind of seems like it helps structurally in some manner.

davidcroft · 04-29-2013, 06:54 AM

How much bracing does the tunnel brace apply?

toml_pa · 04-29-2013, 07:50 AM

I have 1 7/8" LTs, high flow cats and Flowmaster AT (3") and 1" clearance at tunnel brace. If it looks like there is room for pipes to go up more, I would jack car up then loosen all clamps. Use a wood block on floor jack to raise pipes then tighten clamps and let jack down. Just be careful when raising pipes not to force it and crush something.

The Stig · 04-29-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dupontdon24

Yes it's 3". I was going to get rid of it but I thought I seen it helps keep the floor boards or something from collapsing. Kind of seems like it helps structurally in some manner.

Might want to try spacers before removing it completely (see below as to why)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidcroft

How much bracing does the tunnel brace apply?

It supplies bracing to the driveshaft/exhaust tunnel in the event of a side-impact collision. Without it the tunnel would get crushed - possibly doing more damage to your drivetrain, etc. than what would have happened from just the accident.

SSMickey · 04-29-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dupontdon24

Installed LG exhaust system, is it normal to have to lower the tunnel brace more than 1 1/2?. Just doesn't seem right, might just be me. Thanks

Look at the X-pipe. Does it have a bend or bow in it? Having this bend or bow and installing it upside down will cause you to have to space out your tunnel brace excessively. I have no experience with LG, but the ARH X-pipe has this bend.

Dupontdon24 · 04-29-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toml_pa

I have 1 7/8" LTs, high flow cats and Flowmaster AT (3") and 1" clearance at tunnel brace. If it looks like there is room for pipes to go up more, I would jack car up then loosen all clamps. Use a wood block on floor jack to raise pipes then tighten clamps and let jack down. Just be careful when raising pipes not to force it and crush something.

That's exactly what I had planned and was going to suggest to all installs of the 3".

The Blue Ox · 04-29-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toml_pa

I have 1 7/8" LTs, high flow cats and Flowmaster AT (3") and 1" clearance at tunnel brace. If it looks like there is room for pipes to go up more, I would jack car up then loosen all clamps. Use a wood block on floor jack to raise pipes then tighten clamps and let jack down. Just be careful when raising pipes not to force it and crush something.

Basically what I did to my 3" also! You can also put several big fender washers under the brace to work as spacers for even more clearance!

shag · 04-29-2013, 11:10 AM

My tunnel brace would not clear without use of a spacer (in my case, a stack of washers). I started with at least an inch drop, but later the exhaust would contact the brace when going over bumps. I added at least another 1/2" drop to prevent contact.

JDP Sales · 04-29-2013, 11:42 AM

Sometimes you can get more clearance by loosening up the connections and jacking up the exhaust system and re-tightening. It will be close, but not that far off.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

429 · 04-29-2013, 11:47 AM

remove it.

04-29-2013, 06:23 AM	#1
Dupontdon24 Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: lexington sc Posts: 226	Tunnel brace? Installed LG exhaust system, is it normal to have to lower the tunnel brace more than 1 1/2?. Just doesn't seem right, might just be me. Thanks

04-29-2013, 06:25 AM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Is it a 3" system? __________________

04-29-2013, 06:37 AM	#3
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	Or you can just get rid of it. It's up to you. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

04-29-2013, 06:54 AM	#6
davidcroft Sellin Chevy's since '06 Drives: 18ZL1 02Z-28 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: DIRTY SOUFTH Posts: 1,461 View My Garage	How much bracing does the tunnel brace apply? __________________ '19 Z06-7Speed and lowered on stock bolts '02 Z28-Kooks true dual headers/TSP heads&cam/full suspension & Kmember sub40K orig miles. https://youtu.be/h6faSdcvNew TRADED!'17 ATS-V Coupe w/ Carbon Black pkg https://youtu.be/GH_t-R-TJV0 SOLD! '18 ZL1 Mosiac Blk SOLD!'16 SS Sedan-Forgestars/ARH/rotofab TRADED!2014 SS Sedan SOLD! 2013 Blue Ray1SS/1LE 1of20. TRADED! 2012 White 1SS/RS

04-29-2013, 11:10 AM	#12
shag Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Massillon, OH Posts: 24	My tunnel brace would not clear without use of a spacer (in my case, a stack of washers). I started with at least an inch drop, but later the exhaust would contact the brace when going over bumps. I added at least another 1/2" drop to prevent contact. __________________ 2010 SS/RS LS3 LG Longtubes & Full Exhaust, CAI, Jannetty 470 cam & tune, Phadt Trailing Arms

04-29-2013, 06:43 AM	#5
Dupontdon24 Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: lexington sc Posts: 226	Yes it's 3". I was going to get rid of it but I thought I seen it helps keep the floor boards or something from collapsing. Kind of seems like it helps structurally in some manner.

04-29-2013, 07:50 AM	#7
toml_pa ʇuɐıʌǝp lɐıɔos Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3/M6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 231	I have 1 7/8" LTs, high flow cats and Flowmaster AT (3") and 1" clearance at tunnel brace. If it looks like there is room for pipes to go up more, I would jack car up then loosen all clamps. Use a wood block on floor jack to raise pipes then tighten clamps and let jack down. Just be careful when raising pipes not to force it and crush something.

04-29-2013, 11:42 AM	#13
JDP Sales Drives: Chevys at the limit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 9,621	Sometimes you can get more clearance by loosening up the connections and jacking up the exhaust system and re-tightening. It will be close, but not that far off. Best regards, Tyler 888-308-6007

04-29-2013, 11:47 AM	#14
429 Account Suspended Drives: 2010 camaro ss Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 726	remove it.