Installed the Elite Engineering Abs-of-Steel
09-21-2004, 10:43 PM
#1
Team Owner
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Installed the Elite Engineering Abs-of-Steel
I want to qualify this thread up front by saying that I received this product from Jeff at Elite free of cost for my efforts in some preliminary discussion of the production of the Abs-of-Steel product and for being the first person outside of Elite to test out the installation and performance and report the results back to Jeff. I also wrote up an installation of the plate on my car. I'm relating my impressions here as objectively as I can for simple consumption, so take it for what you think it's worth. Others have installed similar competeing products and reported similar results so it's really no mystery what this product does or how it performs.
That said . . .
This mod seemed like a good idea when I first read about it - for a lot less than the price of my Hotchkis bars and a couple of hours on Saturday morning, I could improve the chassis stiffness on my C5 significantly and possibly reduce the tunnel temps at the same time. I was more interested in the stiffening aspect since I had done the insulation mod last year and encased the central tunnel completely in Reflectix, so I ordered the SS version without coating from Elite Engineering.
I've had several IM and email exchanges with Jeff, the owner of EE, concerning the fabrication of his plates so I was fairly satisfied that the quality and fit of the plate would be what I would do if I were to fab my own. Incidentally, like several others here, I had contemplated doing my own but time and cost of raw materials made it not seem a worthwhile a project to a DIY'er when suddenly the prices here dropped dramatically. The plate I received from EE was gorgeous. I was truly impressed with fit and finish - no reservations whatsoever. The laser-cut, burr-free finish is high quality. In fact, my wife and I both lamented what a shame it is to have to bury it deep in the car, never to be displayed.
I installed the plate this weekend. The plate fit perfectly. The difference in feel of the car is certainly noticeable. My car is a low-miles '02 but I had started to notice a couple of small "creaks" this summer coming out of my driveway and going over speed bumps. They were gone when I took my test drive after the tunnel plate install. I didn't get a lot of seat time so far but, along the sweeping country back roads where I live, the chassis definitely feels more settled over some of the rougher asphalt and there was a noticeable sense of better unity to the structure - the cars has a more solid feel to it when in motion. Obviously I can't quantify the effect but it's certainly there. I would imagine the feeling will be more dramatic on an older car where the chassis may have loosened a bit more with normal aging and use.
As far as heat reduction, I need to take a longer drive to gauge if I've benefitted in that aspect though I may not be able to tell much with the temps already starting to drop here, combined with my insulation, but it certainly can't hurt.
Of course, I've documented the install for anyone who decides to perform this mod. You can see it at:
Elite Engineering Abs-of-Steel tunnel plate mod
That said . . .
This mod seemed like a good idea when I first read about it - for a lot less than the price of my Hotchkis bars and a couple of hours on Saturday morning, I could improve the chassis stiffness on my C5 significantly and possibly reduce the tunnel temps at the same time. I was more interested in the stiffening aspect since I had done the insulation mod last year and encased the central tunnel completely in Reflectix, so I ordered the SS version without coating from Elite Engineering.
I've had several IM and email exchanges with Jeff, the owner of EE, concerning the fabrication of his plates so I was fairly satisfied that the quality and fit of the plate would be what I would do if I were to fab my own. Incidentally, like several others here, I had contemplated doing my own but time and cost of raw materials made it not seem a worthwhile a project to a DIY'er when suddenly the prices here dropped dramatically. The plate I received from EE was gorgeous. I was truly impressed with fit and finish - no reservations whatsoever. The laser-cut, burr-free finish is high quality. In fact, my wife and I both lamented what a shame it is to have to bury it deep in the car, never to be displayed.
I installed the plate this weekend. The plate fit perfectly. The difference in feel of the car is certainly noticeable. My car is a low-miles '02 but I had started to notice a couple of small "creaks" this summer coming out of my driveway and going over speed bumps. They were gone when I took my test drive after the tunnel plate install. I didn't get a lot of seat time so far but, along the sweeping country back roads where I live, the chassis definitely feels more settled over some of the rougher asphalt and there was a noticeable sense of better unity to the structure - the cars has a more solid feel to it when in motion. Obviously I can't quantify the effect but it's certainly there. I would imagine the feeling will be more dramatic on an older car where the chassis may have loosened a bit more with normal aging and use.
As far as heat reduction, I need to take a longer drive to gauge if I've benefitted in that aspect though I may not be able to tell much with the temps already starting to drop here, combined with my insulation, but it certainly can't hurt.
Of course, I've documented the install for anyone who decides to perform this mod. You can see it at:
Elite Engineering Abs-of-Steel tunnel plate mod
Last edited by Patches; 09-21-2004 at 10:45 PM.
09-21-2004, 11:14 PM
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Thanks for the review. Sounds like a good product.
09-21-2004, 11:14 PM
#5
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As usual, Patches - an outstanding documentation effort!
Clear photos, concise instructions, and you make it look simple.
Also - I don't think I've ever seen a cleaner under-carriage than your car. What do you do - lay on your back detailing it??
Thanks for a great job!
Clear photos, concise instructions, and you make it look simple.
Also - I don't think I've ever seen a cleaner under-carriage than your car. What do you do - lay on your back detailing it??
Thanks for a great job!
09-22-2004, 12:19 AM
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St. jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by CAJUNY2KC5
Patches: Do you know how much weight this adds?
The stock plate weighs 6.5 lbs.
Our Aluminum plate weighs: 9.4 lbs and
our Stainless Steel plate weighs 15.4 lbs.
09-22-2004, 01:16 AM
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Looks like I can make that also seems very easy since i do have access to the tools
09-22-2004, 08:38 AM
#17
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Why SS?
Patches,
I am curious. Under the circumstances, it seems you could have had your choice of either. What made you/why did you pick the SS version over the aluminum version?
I realize you said you already had the insulation, but I would have thought the weight difference would have been more of a factor.
Sempi
I am curious. Under the circumstances, it seems you could have had your choice of either. What made you/why did you pick the SS version over the aluminum version?
I realize you said you already had the insulation, but I would have thought the weight difference would have been more of a factor.
Sempi
Last edited by sempi; 09-22-2004 at 08:41 AM.
09-22-2004, 08:45 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by Elite Engineering
Cajun,
The stock plate weighs 6.5 lbs.
Our Aluminum plate weighs: 9.4 lbs and
our Stainless Steel plate weighs 15.4 lbs.
The stock plate weighs 6.5 lbs.
Our Aluminum plate weighs: 9.4 lbs and
our Stainless Steel plate weighs 15.4 lbs.
Thanks EE and Patches. Looks like an excellent product
09-22-2004, 09:21 AM
#20
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by sempi
Patches,
I am curious. Under the circumstances, it seems you could have had your choice of either. What made you/why did you pick the SS version over the aluminum version?
I realize you said you already had the insulation, but I would have thought the weight difference would have been more of a factor.
Sempi
I am curious. Under the circumstances, it seems you could have had your choice of either. What made you/why did you pick the SS version over the aluminum version?
I realize you said you already had the insulation, but I would have thought the weight difference would have been more of a factor.
Sempi