This is a question for those who have removed the heat shield that, from the factory, is between the cat and underbody of the car. I, like some of you, have removed that shield altogether to allow for easier shifting. I have not experienced any adverse effects from doing so...knock on wood. I was thinking though. When that shield is removed, there are 4 holes in the underneath of the car where the shield was mounted in. If a person does not fill those holes in with something, (I know it's possible) but is it likely that water can work its way into those holes and in the future cause rust to eats its way from the inside out? I never thought about it until now. I am going to seal those holes up with a silicone after work today. I hope nothing has gotten up there, though I doubt it. Please post your thoughts.

Aaron

I think it's a good idea to block/seal the holes somehow, but I'd be careful what I chose to do the job. RTV silicone can handle a fair amount of heat, but I'm not sure it's up to the heat levels in that area of the car.

A better choice might be to look for stubby stainless or brass bolts* of the appropriate thread pitch to go into the holes and block them from allowing H2O/contaminants in.

*unless you can use the OEM heat-shield bolts for this.

My car's underneath has been without any type of block/seal for a few months now. Do you think water might gotten in there over time? Yikes!! I hope not.

why dont you just put the original bolts back in there but without putting the heat shield back in?

Not sure if the holes go all the way through the floorpan into the cabin interior, so I dunno 4-sure. It wouldn't hurt to get some bolts in there though. . .

Test: Push a small flathead screwdriver into one of the open bolt-holes. If you can feel carpet or lining, water can leak in.

I vent ahead and sealed the holes with pliable gasket sealant material that goes on like silicone. It is said to be pliable for if future removal is necessary. So if I ever have to use those holes, I can simply poke through and the seal will be no more. Also, it is rated up to 450 degrees. But the holes are around 7 to 10 inches from the actual exhaust pipe so I highly doubt the sealant will get over its limit.

Why didn't you just bend the heat shield out of the way of the shift linkage? That way it has all parts in tact and you don't have to worry about schitt. I don't see why it was removed in the first place...

My heat sheild has been gone for over a year. No issues.

SuDZ

Shifting was WAY TOO STIFF! I had to practically slam the thing into the gears. Then I tried banging the heat shield to form a pocket for smoother shifting. Helped but was still too stiff. I next cut out an area for the shifter to do its business without banging the shifter but it was hard to judge where. So after growing impatient, I just took the shield off and I have not had any issues with it since. That was in April of 2002. The car did fine through the hot summers. Nothing to my knowledge has melted or been damaged.

Vielleicht bist du Deutsch?

Guess I typed a little fast. But I have no clue how I typed V instead of W. They are no where close to each other on the keyboard.

Interesting, I actually had the chance to use a lift during install and just bent the heat shield one back on the car and have never had problems either. I guess to each is his own. Good luck!