Starter heat shield needed for headers?
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 224
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From: Arkansas
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.77
Starter heat shield needed for headers?
Going to be installing some hooker 2460 shorty headers and [size=14px]16767HKR y pipe on my 88 GTA 350. I have been reading that I need to install a heat shield around my starter. Anyone do this? What product did you use? [/size]
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,097
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From: Milwaukee
Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Starter heat shield needed for headers?
A heat shield only does so much. More of a band aid than a repair for heat soak problems. Best fix I found was to get a better starter. If you're still using the old oem style then I'd suggest getting an LT1 starter. ANY of them is better. I personally use one from a station wagon and it's lightyears better.
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,553
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From: South Ms
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: Starter heat shield needed for headers?
LT1 starter and heat shield is what Ive ran and am currently running with headers on these cars and it has worked for me. #1 thing is get rid of the huge stock starter for sure.
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: MICHIGAN
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,918
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Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
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Re: Starter heat shield needed for headers?
I have never in all my days used a heat shield around a starter in any car I've ever had with headers. (which covers quite a few, going back the better part of a half century)
This is The Real Answer.
This is The Real Answer.
get rid of the huge stock starter
Last edited by sofakingdom; Jul 21, 2021 at 01:05 PM.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,703
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From: Orange, CA
Car: '90 Trans Am-12.45@110.71
Engine: 355 w/AFR 195's Elem. 400/430 HP/TQ
Transmission: Tremec T-56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt 3.73
Re: Starter heat shield needed for headers?
AND
fix the problem that is causing excess heat in the headers (lean, over rich, late timing, etc.)
fix the problem that is causing excess heat in the headers (lean, over rich, late timing, etc.)
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,553
Likes: 806
From: South Ms
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
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