bnag0

So i am in the process of cleaning up the engine bay. I plan to purchase some headers and maybe an ETD eventually. It would be great if i could just leave this shield off so i wont have to cut a hole for the ETD and my headers would be more visible. If i do remove this should i protect the battery and AC line with something? Here is an image i found on the engine bay thread, this person also states he plans to relocate his battery and fuse box which lead me to believe i should be protecting them with something if i dont relocate them.



Has anyone driven around with this off and experienced issues?

Any information would be great, Thanks!

bnag0

Somebody has to have a little information.

suzuka-blue-s2k

I have no personal experience with this, but just thinking about it I don't think it would be a smart idea. If you did end up doing it, I would at least get some heat resistant material and put on the fuse box and battery on the side facing the header. Then again that might look a little tacky and would just look better with the heatshield on.

My opinion, leave the heatshield on so you don't have to worry or deal with problems later on down the road, then get one of the ETD's from Heeltoe so you don't have to cut a hole in the heatshield.

Sideways

I have run with the shield removed. Only for a few hundred miles. There are some shields on the factory header and it is double walled. I think the major problems comes when you add a turbo.

bnag0

Suzuka,
Do you know if the X Strut Brace will work with the ingalls ETD?

SilverS2kF22C1

I ran most of last year with out a heat shield after installing a ETD with no ill affects. I did ask the boards but most of the response pointed to the shield potentially being a carry over from RHD S2ks where the brake booster and fluid would be right there and to reduce the chance of boiling it... That being said I have considered putting it back on after my clutch install later this month.

MeganFoxAP1

I driven with it off for thousands of miles and no problems.

bnag0

This is what i wanted to hear. So your battery, fuse box and AC line are still in the stock locations? Did you use anything to protect them?

MeganFoxAP1

They are still in stock locations and didn't use anything to protect them.
It's not like I even drive hard enough to make massive heat under the hood to melt everything.
And it's spring so the weather is pretty cool so no big deal.
But of course, this is just my two cents so please don't bash at anything I say.

bnag0

No bashing, just trying to get everyone's opinion and experience on this subject. You have been very helpful, thanks!