Aluminum Heat Shields

knochgoon24 · 10-14-2009, 10:42 AM

I have some aluminum sheeting that's .020" thick left over from making a cold air box (works wonders), and I was wondering if this would hold up as an exhaust manifold heat shield? I'm not sure on the grade of the aluminum.

The stock heatshield on my car has seen better days.

I'd hate to put the time into making this just to see it melt.

UofACATS · 10-14-2009, 11:09 AM

What's the oem shield made out of?

knochgoon24 · 10-14-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofACATS

What's the oem shield made out of?

I'm not sure. I've heard it's tin, and I've heard it's aluminum.

If it's an aluminum, I didn't know if it's an aluminum alloy that better handles the heat or not.

It's flimsy enough to be aluminum.

93ETGOCART · 10-14-2009, 11:31 AM

are you sure its not a thin piece of steel ### it sure rusts like it

1glaserturbo · 10-14-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knochgoon24

I'm not sure. I've heard it's tin, and I've heard it's aluminum.

If it's an aluminum, I didn't know if it's an aluminum alloy that better handles the heat or not.

It's flimsy enough to be aluminum.

Grab a magnet....

MOTOR-RX · 10-14-2009, 12:59 PM

if it is rusty tit is not alum. non ferrous metals do no rust

324vr4 · 10-14-2009, 01:15 PM

magnet for the win! and Al "should" hold up...it has better thermal properties then steel...

Weapon-X · 10-14-2009, 01:36 PM

Use this on the underside (side closest to your heat source) of your aluminum heat shield.

AWESOME product!

http://www.designengineering.com/pro...sp?m=sp&pid=26

Edit -----> SORRY.......................... Forgot to post the link. Duh.......................

knochgoon24 · 10-14-2009, 01:53 PM

For the record: The 2g OEM heat shield is galvanized steel.

bpestilence · 10-14-2009, 04:14 PM

You will find that aluminum holds up remarkably well at high temps as long as there are no structural loads.

endeffect0 · 10-24-2009, 12:53 PM

I made mine out of very thin aluminum bent and riveted the sides and corners to make it a bit stronger. It looks and works great. Just keep in mind that the stock heat sheild bolt holes are not on level. I tacked a alum washer to mine to keep the bolt from pulling down one spot on the shield.

its easy to do and you will love it. I dont know how well it 'shields heat' I made a grilled cheese sandwich on mine after a few hot laps at an event. after that i did a header wrap around the stock manifold and put the shield on top of that. Huge improvement.

knochgoon24 · 10-26-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endeffect0

I made mine out of very thin aluminum bent and riveted the sides and corners to make it a bit stronger. It looks and works great. Just keep in mind that the stock heat sheild bolt holes are not on level. I tacked a alum washer to mine to keep the bolt from pulling down one spot on the shield.

its easy to do and you will love it. I dont know how well it 'shields heat' I made a grilled cheese sandwich on mine after a few hot laps at an event. after that i did a header wrap around the stock manifold and put the shield on top of that. Huge improvement.

Now that you mention it, we have talked about grilling some hot dogs at our local car club meets...

I'm going to try making the manifold shield tomorrow. If that goes well, I'll try the more complex o2 housing shield.

I have a Saturn alternator I'm swaping in soon and I want to try to keep as much heat off as I can. I might even try sandwiching some fiberglass between two layers, since I think the stock ones are setup that way.

Imback · 11-11-2009, 06:18 PM

Well i don't know if you ever ended up making your shield or not. But the other day i had some free time during lunch and was able to make mine. I made it out of a small sheet of SS. I know it's not aluminum like the one you planed on making but since this topic was already about heatshields. I thought i would just post in here. I think it came out ok. Let me know what you guys think?

fwdmaster · 11-11-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imback

Well i don't know if you ever ended up making your shield or not. But the other day i had some free time during lunch and was able to make mine. I made it out of a small sheet of SS. I know it's not aluminum like the one you planed on making but since this topic was already about heatshields. I thought i would just post in here. I think it came out ok. Let me know what you guys think?

Came out legit

knochgoon24 · 11-11-2009, 08:52 PM

I have yet to make mine. I've yet to go out and buy a pair of tin snips. If mine comes out half as good as yours, I'd be happy.

Now you just need to fab up a lower heat shield.

snakeyes711 · 11-11-2009, 08:59 PM

They are for sure made from mild steel. Its an either aluminized, or more like a galvaneel "cheap galvanized steel or galvaneel". Fore sure its not electroplated true galvanized. I'm thinking its aluminized. There is a woven fiberglass aluminum backed fabric out there you can get from parts store"look in the exhaust section". If you make one, and backed it with what It'd hold back heat a hell of a lot better.

I used it to coat the under side of my fuel tank on my GSXR so the tank wouldn't get so hot. Also Yoshimura makes a carburetor shield thats backed with the same material that works wonders for cooling the intake charge and fuel. similar to this one.

endeffect0 · 11-19-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imback

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That's Exactly what mine looked like. Only mine was made of aluminum and i riveted the corners. I installed mine with alen heads though all 3 bolts holes+ some washers that i mentioned earlier.

you friend, are ready to grill some burgers.

any one have any thoughts on doing a sandwich with fiberglass between two pieces of aluminum.. i feel like that would make a great improvement to this mod.