#1 STUNNA

Ever since I got my custom exhaust installed my car has had the annoying rattle during acceleration. So finally today while I had my car on the wheel ramps to change my oil I made my way down the middle of the car and ripped of my heatshield. It was pretty easy its just 6 10mm (even though I think the first 2 were 11mm) bolts to unscrew and then I took some tin snips and cut the heatshield in half making a front and a rear piece. Then since it's not that hard to bend I bent it so that I could pull it out from inbetween the exhaust pipe and the body of the car. You also need to make one more cut so the wire connected to the O2 sensor can get though, you'll also have to disconnect the clamps holding the O2 wire to the heatshield and that should be it. Then with a little muscling and bending the heatshield should slip out. Personally since the O2 sensor was on the passenger side of the exhaust pipe it took the shield off from the other side pulling the passenger side of the shield over top of the exhaust pipe and out the driver side. Sorry I didn't take pics (it was pretty easy, I did it without instructions) it was quite cramped under there, there was a point where I had to turn my head to the side cause it wouldn't fit if I was looking straight up so fatties beware you might need an air lift or two sets of jack stands to do this.

#1 STUNNA

I prolly should've asked this before doing it but what negative side effects if any do you think I may have by removing my heatshield? I just took it for a test drive and it's much quieter almost all the embarassing rattle is gone. Man I hated having a hot chick in my car and they ask what's that noise!! I still have a slight rattle at about 1750RPM but it's not too bad but the annoying rattle I heard while cruising the city streets at 20-30mph is GONE!!

G22_Powered_YA1

well, im running no heatshield at this time because my new header doesnt have the proper mounts........ its been off for the better part of a year now and nothing has happened, the only thing in that area is my secondary cooling fan motor shot out, but after 10 years, id say I had that one coming..... 50 bucks and about an hour of work, no big deal, water temps are still fine and stable, only thing is if I open up to check my oil at a fuel stop it can get kinda hot as you open it and all the hot air goes free........ now it might be affecting the inlet temps on my SRI, but Ive noticed no loss in power and no damage to my filter

#1 STUNNA

I was talking about the other heat shield. Not the small one on the header but the 5ft one that runs parallel with the exhaust pipe down the middle of the car all the way back to the muffler

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Um, the heat shield that protects the undercarriage from your hot exhaust piping? Man I didn't even like ripping off the heat shield from my cat except that it was rattling and dragging on the ground to the point that hangers wouldn't hold it anymore. I dunno about the noise you were having, maybe you need more or different exhaust mounts, but i don't think the pipe covering was a good thing to remove

Sababa

I've had no heat sheild for bout 6 months and no issues .

#1 STUNNA

While removing it I didn't see any sensitive electronics or mechanical devices anywhere near it. it was just the underbody of the car. The only side effect that I forsee might happen is the interior of my car may be a smidge hotter but that'd be fine with me. Definitely worth it!!

CLtuner420

I believe heat shields are a normal thing to get rid of in typical weight reduction plans...but they may replace them with an insulated wrap or something similar...and definately lighter

#1 STUNNA

IDK I think the heatwrap would weight more. This thing was almost paper thin aluminum I could bend it pretty easily and it only weighed at most 2lbs and was about 5ft long. but if I have problems I'll look into insulated wrap in the future thanks for the suggestion.

Cocoa

iTrader: (2)

I removed the small heat shield that covered the cat. Been like so for about 4 years.

#1 STUNNA

I have an aftermarket cat so mine's been gone every since I got my exhaust installed and I haven't had a problem.

qstorm78

I'm having the terrible rattling too, will be taking it in for a tire rotation this weekend, will ask them about it while on the lift.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Have them check the heat shield on the cat convertor

gotguinness?

Mine isn't so much rattling, its moe like metal rubbing against eachother, sounds like if you took 2 rocks and rubbed them together...it's coming from the rear of the car and it happens until I reach about 2500k RPM adn then gfoes away until I shift into the next gear and do the same thing...mostly happens when slowing down or when at low RPMs...any ideas?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Muffler mounts Or something in your rear suspension

Slooo97CL

iTrader: (1)

just dont park on dry grass or leaves. lol


i had mine taken off for the same issue. ever since no probs

Eo2k1

I used to install hitches on vehicles and it was common place when I was supposed to cut the heatshield to just tear the whole thing out. Had that job for 2 years and never had any issues on any vehicles about it.

Only thing to keep in mind is there is nothing stopping the heat from getting into your trunk now, so don't put icecream back there!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

good call

Blazin Si

My civic used to rattle, so I smashed the head shield flat with a hammer.

Don't remove the one that cover the exhaust manifold. You'll take one look at that rusty piece of stamped metal and promptly reinstall it.

Shotgun3131

well i had the heat shield off on my integra for about 2 years the only thing that happened was it got stolen. I do not believe the 2 events to be related however.

Just dont park in high grass and you'll be fine.

WineRed2.2CL

miine snapped off. you don;t need it