Heat Shield removal question

[3400Camaro]

I've read all these post on removing heat shields from our cars...but...isn't that heat shield below the gas tank important? I'd really rather not burst into a ball of flames while sittin in traffic on a summer day.

[Devilboy28]

I've wondered the same thing. Came close to taking it off, but decided I'd rather not die quite yet.

[Colin]

Yeah that would definitely suck. I've considered the same kinda' stuff, but generally speaking, if you're gonna' remove those shields, replace 'em with SOMEthing (flash paper, etc.). Otherwise things could get messy. Speaking of bursting into flames, a friend of mine was sitting behind a Fiero in traffic one day and the back of it just exploded into flames--obviously not a heat shield kinda' deal, but it was still kinda' funny.

[Jason McCallister]

Generally, when people are talking about heat shields, they're talking about the heat shields surrounding the catalyctic converter. Use caution when doing so, since the exposed cat gets MUCH hotter than the heat shields! Never, ever park over tall grass and if you run over anything.... check to be sure it's not stuck to the cat. Plastic bags are the biggest problem.

There should be no reason to remove the heat shield from the gas tank.

[stagen]

There are also heat shields over the exhaust manifolds.

There is no need to pull the one over the CAT. It doesn't weigh that much.

[ April 11, 2003: Message edited by: stagen ]</p>

[SlimJim1284]

Don't do it, its not worth it. Stop stripping your car and invest in some mods.

[3400Camaro]

Thanks guys, the shields will be staying. I didn't think all that removal sounded like a good idea, GM must have put them ther for a reason. those things can't weigh much more than a pound anyway.