I just made a new catless downpipe for my 87 turbowagon. I have not yet bolted the two turbo/downpipe heatshields back on. I was wondering if it is completely necessary to have those heat shields. Are you guys with custom downpipes running them? I don't want to hook them back up but also don't want to hurt anything. Any thoughts?

They just rattle and make noise, but they do protect the tall grass from igniting if you park over it. Are you talking about the ones that cover the turbo? Or the ones that wrap around the cat? You might be able to use some header tape on it instead of heatshields.

I tosed mine when I made my new down pipe. Never had a problem. I tosed ALL the heat sheilding, turbo, down pipe, x-over pipe, ect.

The engine ran about 15* cooler with out it

Heat shields? What are those? Get rid of them.

only heat shield on my system is the one that came with the universal cat i have.. i suspect due to the placement it keeps my front passenger side doj boot from melting lol

yeah the lower one keeps the heat away from the cv boot and the rest help keep the heat out of the engine compartment. the RX I used to have ran with out em because it was not a daily driver but I did put em back on the wagon. they are a pain to install but I do feel they are benifical.

 

like turbone said heat wrap is a good alternative but Its not cheap. I would at least install the one between the CV boot and the exhaust.

 

and no mine dont rattle anymore now that I welded up the cracks.