Are heat shields necessary?

SVX8588 · #1 08-27-2012, 06:34 PM

So I have lots of exhaust buzzing and rattling. I think most of it is the heat shields, but I suppose my resonator could be contributing as well.
Are the heat shields on the front pipes really necessary? I would prefer to replace them, of course, but I imagine they would be quite pricey to buy new.
So I'm thinking I'll just take them off unless there is some major reason not to. I don't drive in dry hay fields or anything like that. Then at least I'd be able to tell where the rest of the noise is coming from.
Or if someone has a used set of heat shields (non-rusted-to-pieces) that they are selling cheap, let me know.

oab_au · #2 08-27-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX8588

So I have lots of exhaust buzzing and rattling. I think most of it is the heat shields, but I suppose my resonator could be contributing as well.
Are the heat shields on the front pipes really necessary? I would prefer to replace them, of course, but I imagine they would be quite pricey to buy new.
So I'm thinking I'll just take them off unless there is some major reason not to. I don't drive in dry hay fields or anything like that. Then at least I'd be able to tell where the rest of the noise is coming from.
Or if someone has a used set of heat shields (non-rusted-to-pieces) that they are selling cheap, let me know.

Besides not starting fires,

they are to keep the exhaust gas temp up, that the catalytic converters need to work. You may have trouble getting them hot enough to pass emissions.

Harvey.

SVX8588 · #3 08-27-2012, 07:15 PM

Lucky me - there's no emissions testing in VT

dannmarr · #4 08-28-2012, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX8588

Lucky me - there's no emissions testing in VT

I also have no emissions testing in Monroe County. I had to keep repairing my shields (new bolts, welding). They seemed to always break and rattle. So I took them off. No more rattling noise.

bwb3 · #5 08-28-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Besides not starting fires

+1 on fire prevention when you park in the dry grass.

Gene

Ricter · #6 08-28-2012, 09:34 AM

I'd investigate the resonator first. Mine rattled like crazy, and it was easily replaceable. See about replacing that first and the front heat shields may not even be an issue.

Lookin4SVX · #7 08-28-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricter

I'd investigate the resonator first. Mine rattled like crazy, and it was easily replaceable. See about replacing that first and the front heat shields may not even be an issue.

Here is a video of shot resonator.

SVX8588 · #8 08-28-2012, 08:08 PM

No, it's definitely mostly the heat shields. I think one only has one bolt left and a big hose clamp holding it together and the other has 2 bolts maybe. They are rusted quite badly. I guess I'll take them off and then see how it sounds.
It won't sound like a ricey honda anymore...