**studding warning **

[**sj**]

if you look at the center of the tunnel you will see a wire mold...as you will see....there is a rear heat exchanger protection kit necessary and it includes a center piece...however there are no tunnel protectors in the center...

now its fairly unlikely to hit the mold...however, studding "up the middle" or "center belt" only will enhance the possibility of hitting the mold...

therefore, I am recommending you stay out of the center 1.5" of the track .

its never a great idea to stud in the center 1" anyways if it can be helped

 

[orangecrush]

if you look at the center of the tunnel you will see a wire mold...as you will see....there is a rear heat exchanger protection kit necessary and it includes a center piece...however there are no tunnel protectors in the center...

now its fairly unlikely to hit the mold...however, studding "up the middle" or "center belt" only will enhance the possibility of hitting the mold...

therefore, I am recommending you stay out of the center 1.5" of the track .

its never a great idea to stud in the center 1" anyways if it can be helped

What about adding the AC tunnel protectors that come as a set of 3 to protect the middle? I just got some but haven't installed them yet. Would that be enough protection?

 

[**sj**]

What about adding the AC tunnel protectors that come as a set of 3 to protect the middle? I just got some but haven't installed them yet. Would that be enough protection?

that protects the rear heat exchanger...there is nothing forward of that to protect the center of the tunnel

 

[Doc Harley]

Any chance e of a pic? Mold?

 

[AXR]

didn't the viper have molding up the middle also for the taillight wire?

 

[krm]

Any chance e of a pic? Mold?

just look if you have one .you can't miss it .no reason to stud in the middle of any track .this has been the case after there being no more cleated tracks .

 

[jonlafon1]

Good catch , Going to be interesting for guys running ALOT of studs if the middle 1.5 inches is off limits.
I studded and have a few that are close. not to worried, got 168 in to start. not super aggressive on length

 

[**sj**]

actually even I missed how bad it could be...look up forward ...see that louvered tunnel area ...drops down what 1/2" take that away from the tunnel protectors 1" protection...guessing at 1/2" max over the lug..far less than 12-16 procross sleds...still checking

 

[franklin]

Viper had same mold up the center never had a problem with them

 

[WVTurboLTX]

Viper had same mold up the center never had a problem with them

My viper LTX is the exact same way and never had an issue even with the track so loose it would ratchet at one point. Ran it to 117 a few times nothing ever rubbed that.

 

[**sj**]

You didn't have whatever is in the tunnel up front center 3" or so I bet and can I assume you guys ran 1.630-1.875" studs also??

 

[WVTurboLTX]

You didn't have whatever is in the tunnel up front center 3" or so I bet and can I assume you guys ran 1.630-1.875" studs also??

That front part is a louvered vent for the exhaust manifold. The vipers were just open there with the exhaust header exposed to the track. I was running 1.875 studs. I guess if you are going to go crazy long on them there could be an issue but there is a lot of room up in there. Something to keep an eye on but I wouldn't be too worried.

 

[**sj**]

That front part is a louvered vent for the exhaust manifold. The vipers were just open there with the exhaust header exposed to the track. I was running 1.875 studs. I guess if you are going to go crazy long on them there could be an issue but there is a lot of room up in there. Something to keep an eye on but I wouldn't be too worried.

yes..I figured this was the case...but the metal hangs down 1/2-3/4" ? reducing the net effect of the 1" protector...have you seen this on the SW?

 

[WVTurboLTX]

I saw it but looked closer to 1/4 inch to me. I had the skid out last week but didn't measure or even look that close. I'll check it tomorrow and see if I can get an exact clearance on it from the strips.

 

[**sj**]

I saw it but looked closer to 1/4 inch to me. I had the skid out last week but didn't measure or even look that close. I'll check it tomorrow and see if I can get an exact clearance on it from the strips.

Thanks!