How Important is the Exhaust Heat Shield?
Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2022 6:08 pm
Hi guys,
So then... Today I took my rear bumper off my 5th gen bb8 thinking it would be easier to get to my fog light wiring, as I'm wiring it into the drivers side reverse light for my JDM rear bumper. It was at this point I spotted a bit of rust developing on the boot floor behind the exhaust backbox heat shield, and so this tuned into a massive job of removing the standard backbox (with completely seized bolts) and then removing the heat shield. Thankfully, the rust on the boot floor is pretty minor so I was able to simply scrape it back, treat, and protect it.
However. My exhaust heat shield literally crumbled in my hands when I took it off. I inspected all the other heat shields running under the car, and the next one along seems to be on it's way out too, but the others nearer the front of the car are mint.
So my question is this. Does the backbox really emit enough heat to cause concern if I didn't bother refitting the shield? Has anyone gone without it for an extended period of time? Personally I'd like to just rip it all off and forget about it as I plan on having a custom stainless system made up this year anyway. I should also point out that this car is my daily driver.
Cheers
Chris
So then... Today I took my rear bumper off my 5th gen bb8 thinking it would be easier to get to my fog light wiring, as I'm wiring it into the drivers side reverse light for my JDM rear bumper. It was at this point I spotted a bit of rust developing on the boot floor behind the exhaust backbox heat shield, and so this tuned into a massive job of removing the standard backbox (with completely seized bolts) and then removing the heat shield. Thankfully, the rust on the boot floor is pretty minor so I was able to simply scrape it back, treat, and protect it.
However. My exhaust heat shield literally crumbled in my hands when I took it off. I inspected all the other heat shields running under the car, and the next one along seems to be on it's way out too, but the others nearer the front of the car are mint.
So my question is this. Does the backbox really emit enough heat to cause concern if I didn't bother refitting the shield? Has anyone gone without it for an extended period of time? Personally I'd like to just rip it all off and forget about it as I plan on having a custom stainless system made up this year anyway. I should also point out that this car is my daily driver.
Cheers
Chris