I need some help, I do not have any pictures at this moment because its pouring outside but i have a piece hanging underneath my car. It looks to be some sort of cage or protector but I'm not sure its up near the catalitic converter or where you would put a y-pipe. if you have any idea what this could be I would love to know. Also when its stop raining or I can get my car in the garage I will get pics. thanks

 

heat shield...mine fell off two years ago and i've been fine without it. i think most people's fall off.

 

Sounds like the catalitic converter heat shield. Probably either rusted through or some bolts backed out. Just take it off until you can get it fixed properly.

 

ya mine feel off too or maybe it was that i accidentally made if fall off i duno i dont' member

 

 

Yup, thats just the heat sheild.

 

aight, so i can just take it off and nothing will happen to my car?

 

yeah. i took mine off when messing around with my y-pipe/cat and the bolts just broke they were so rusted. i don't run with it on at all. a lot of other people have had theirs off for a while also and nothing to worry about.

 

aight thanks guys

 

I don't think I'd take it off, what if it's a vital part and your car won't run without it? Do you think Nissan just put extra parts on your car? I don't think so, I'd be really careful there

 

i hear you on that one but i mean i also got 4 people saying they're driving without one and its fine. I am def. gonna see if i can get it put back up tomorrow but if i cant ill just take it off and wait

 

I am running without my centre console (bit between front seats) so I can see and feel my handbrake cable assembly.. that gets pretty warm/hot and thats WITH heatshields.. without its only going to be hotter .. not sure if that equates to bad though

 

just don't park over any tall dry grass... at least I think thats the only purpose of the heat shield... something to go between the open air and the hot cat

 

Well I was actually joking

Tear that sucker off there, I havn't had one on my car since I bought it and no problems. I recently bought a high-flow cat and they don't even come with a heat shield because their not needed, don't worry about it man.

 

the top shield may make a difference to your senter console heat, but the lower one, if anything, would allow hot air to escape faster and allow cool air to flow over the cat/exhaust under your center there. the top i have heard makes things slightly warmer, whether it really happens or just a little mind over matter, ya know?

either way, not a vital piece and if you try to put it back on, make sure it's on there really tight or it may rattle and **** the hell outta ya!