Today I went to a mechanic to get my car checked out as there was an annoying noise from the bottom of the car when driving locally at times. So, the mechanic figured it was a piece from the exhaust, so he simply removed it. It's simply a simple piece of metal that wraps around a pipe, which he said was a heat shield. Now, after removal, he did not replace it as he said it is not that important. But is he telling the truth, I mean if it isn't important, why have it there in the first place? If it is important, what does it do?

Below is an image of the piece he removed (In the raised square).



Thanks

- hito

 

it shouldnt matter. aftermarket exhaust kits dont usually come with heat shields. if it does concern you however, you could probably buy an OEM replacement online or you could probably get exhaust heat wrap, which is a more efficient replacement for stuff thats usually located inside the engine bay, but sould work for behind the flex part of the ypipe just as well.

bottom line: he was telling the truth, its not a big deal, just dont park your car in a pile of leaves unless you want a fire.

 

DONT USE HEAT WRAPS!!!!

heat wraps trap the heat from the exhaust gases in the pipes and greatly shorten the life of the pipe, do some research on google if you don't believe me.

and hot pipes setting fire to leaves?! are you crazy?!?! the exhaust will never reach a temperature high enough to make a leaf spontaneously combust.. watch what you say PLEASE

 

its an unneccesary piece probably some safety precaution from the dealer ship i pulled mine off because it was starting to fall off and then got my exhaust y-pipe back on and still dont have anything there. its only a heatshield

 

I had that part removed on my car aswell. No problems, don't worry about it.

 

yup same here when i got my y-pipe installed. not a biggie.

 

Guess the consensus is to not worry about it

Thanks all

- hito

 

If u'r exhaust is wraped properly it will not damage the pipe... not only does it help protect the pipe, is also increases performance because the exhaust gasses are not cooled as fast. If u use a HAI (pop chager, shortram, etc.) u will see a minor perfomance boost form that as well, due to the decrease in engine bay temp.

Exhaust wraps should however never be used on anything piping that is not stailess steel, because the wrap can retain moister against the piping increase the rate at which oxidation will occur.

So in u'r case since no factory exhaust i know of is SS, i would say just leave it.