heat shield options?

[bjamin]

Hi all!

Is anyone running aftermarket heat shields with headers?
I have the Belanger setup and would like to keep the pipes hidden.
I took a look at slicing/bending up the stock shields, but it doesn't seem like the best path.
Do folks mostly make their own, or is there a good resource?

And, because everyone likes pictures, here are a couple recent ones of my '01 ACR.

Cheers!

stu-6388.jpg

stu-6413.jpg

[Red Kaos]

Bjamin
I have an ’02 GTS. A few years ago I added a set of Belanger headers to my RT Cats and Corsa exhaust set up. I junked the heat shields. I like the look they added to my engine bay and found they enhanced the sound--especially at WOT. Needless to say I did a lot of research on the VCA and Viper Alley, and spoke to several owners before I decided to go that way. BTW, I added AB Wires, heat shocks, and some heat tape to a few plastic parts. Enjoy the headers. jim

[SNKEBIT]

You can trim the stock shields a little and they will go back on. If you track your car at all on the road courses, I highly suggest using them. It will melt the heater blower motor and air box.

[bjamin]

Thanks for the comments. I have the RT cats + Corsa setup too - it's great!
My interest in the shielding was for other reasons... unique to California.
I tried to trim the stock ones, but once you cut them open the fiberglass filling just falls out - it seems like more trouble than it was worth to try to re-seal the sheetmetal foil into a new shape.

[plumcrazy]

trim carefully and might take a little bending but the stock ones go on with little trouble

[Sybil TF]

trim carefully and might take a little bending but the stock ones go on with little trouble

Yes, mine fit perfect over my M&M headers with a little bending to shape, no trimming required.

[XSnake]

My factory shields fit over my aftermarket headers

[10PISTNZ]

I found this site a while ago.
I haven't any experience with them but it may be worth a try.
http://www.atpwrap.com/html/dodgeviper.html

[ViperTony]

Slicing/Bending the OEM heat shields to fit the Belanger headers doesn't create a proper fit. In the end, it looks like crap and a poor fit. It's akin to putting a thong on a walrus. Even with bending, hammering, cutting the stock shields they are too tight on the primaries. If you cut into the heat shield they begin to unravel. Someone already mentioned the fiberglass issue.

Yes, they can be forced on to the headers but you'll scratch the jet-hot coating off of the primary tubes in the process which may cause the coating to flake off or fail prematurely. Dan Cragin sells the heat shields (I believe they're ATP). I went with no heat shields 7 years ago, no issues with heat, track days, etc.

[GTLaser]

I purchased the ATP shields to go over my Belangers, once they arrived I sent them right back. High quality but man are they ugly!!!!