hey guys, well this weekend i noticed that the welds(#1) on the heat sheild(#2) for my catalytic converter, or what im pretty sure is just a heat sheild, rusted away. so well i thought that atleast one of the welds was still there when i had looked at it. But then i had to go to the store which ment i had to go on a main road, and with about 20 cars behind me it flow off. So my question is, well first is that piece a heat shield? (I just wana double check) and is it a necessity to have that heat shield?

 

if its a heat sheild id say run it, that way your car doesnt burst into flames when the cat heats up.

 

You really need that on there. The cat gets really HOT. I'v scene them start grass fires. Not to mention your floorboard on that side is going to get hot. If the converter is still good, you can get replacement heat shields for them.

 

where would i be able to get the replacement heat shield?

 

On a replacement cat is the only place I've seen them available.

But, I still haven't seen everything...

 

Goto summitracing.com and type in the following part#(THE-16500 )

 

That's a fabric shield. I thought you were talking about a replacement type heat shield. It wouldn't go around the cat, but just on the floorpan above the cat.

It's also 44% the cost of a new direct-fit cat. Since the "original" cat is falling apart, at least on the outside, I think I'd opt for a new cat.

But, the fabric shield may work.