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Best Material for DIY Heatshield?

M

m4gician

Hard-core CEG'er
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
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Location
Toronto (Woodbridge)
I know everyone has use a garbage bucket or waste bucket from home depot or what not, but I was wonder since those are made of plastic, won't the heat melt them or warp them a bit? I mean I know a lot of you have gone with that with no problems but just want to clear it up and wait for my CF heatshield to arrive, also is there any steel equivalent or aluminum equivalent maybe an aluminum/copper box because of their ability to displace heat quickly?

Also can someone post the rough measurements for it just so I know what to cut/look for? Thanks in advanced guys.
 
There's a black rubbermaid trashcan that fits the area perfectly. And after driving a bit with it in, the rubber will flex a little when it's warm, and fit even better. Best not to trim up the top too much until it warms up and settles in... then you can trim up the top for a perfect fit.

It does absorb and radiate alot of heat though. I'm waiting for my Pud aluminum heatshield to see how that material affects the temps.
 
morbid said:
There's a black rubbermaid trashcan that fits the area perfectly. And after driving a bit with it in, the rubber will flex a little when it's warm, and fit even better. Best not to trim up the top too much until it warms up and settles in... then you can trim up the top for a perfect fit.

It does absorb and radiate alot of heat though. I'm waiting for my Pud aluminum heatshield to see how that material affects the temps.
Click to expand...

The aluminum disipates heat really well, you can touch it after long driving. At least I can, I have pretty rough hands, but I dont think that accounts for much.
 
Heh... the rubbermaid one gets pretty hot. I'll see if there are any model numbers on it... or what's left of it. At Lowes around here (they have the largest trash bin selection), the one I used was the only mid-sized Rubbermaid in black. It'll fit snuggly between your battery tray and the harness mounted on the strut tower. I think it was like $7-$10.
 
if you can get your hands on a decent size sheet of aluminum sheet metal (1/8 or so, light stuff) i would imagine that would work quite well. Might want a coffee can or something to bend it around though.

Actually, maybe a coffe can side even? Might not be quite the right size though. (and ribs = worse airflow?)
 
The reason so many people use the Rubbermaid trash can is simplicity. You cut the top off, cut one of the narrow sides off, and cut a hole for the MAF adapter and you have your heatshield. It'll take a little more time beyond that to trim it up for a proper fit and to add some weatherstripping. And the only tool you'll need is a utility knife with a relatively new blade.
 
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