I'm installing Belanger headers on my GTS this week and was wondering what the latest take is on whether or not to re-install the factory heat shields. I'm hoping to hear I can leave them off as the headers are worth looking at. Thanks 
Belanger Headers...Factory Heat Shields or Not?
- Thread starter Shelby3
- Start date
Jerry Dobson
Enthusiast
Here we go again 
You will get both sides.
I use heat shields. It keeps the temperature confined. The Viper is too hot to begin with. You will be adding heat to every piece of plastic and rubber. The car won't catch blaze, the parts will just deteriorate quicker.
I am sure the famous story of the car catching fire will come up. With the raw header exposed, spilled fluids could be a problem.
I know they look good but my choice was to install the shields.
You will get both sides.
I use heat shields. It keeps the temperature confined. The Viper is too hot to begin with. You will be adding heat to every piece of plastic and rubber. The car won't catch blaze, the parts will just deteriorate quicker.
I am sure the famous story of the car catching fire will come up. With the raw header exposed, spilled fluids could be a problem.
I know they look good but my choice was to install the shields.
KenH
Enthusiast
I just completed the install last weekend. My intent is to leave the shields off, but will reserve judgement until I have a chance to see how underhood temps go once I get a chance to drive it some. If it gets hot, I'd be tempted to try to heat shield some specific components using aluminum barriers rather than putting the full shields back on. Has anyone tried this? Sounds like a good project for Scott at Elite to take on.
Removing the heat shields were the hardest part of the whole install for me and after doing battle with them, I'd probably have to buy new ones if I put them back on anyway.
--- Ken
Removing the heat shields were the hardest part of the whole install for me and after doing battle with them, I'd probably have to buy new ones if I put them back on anyway.
--- Ken
ChoiceViper
Viper Owner
Here's a third vote for heat shields. I reinstalled mine for the visual smog check here in Ca. Headers look great, but the added heat in the engine bay is not worth it IMHO.
Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
I have almost 25,000 miles on my Belanger headers/no cats and no heat shields. I am not aware of any rubber or plastic components becoming brittle. At 33,000 miles on the car, I am still running the original plug wires. The car runs great. I check the power steering cap(and all the other ones as well) every time I open the hood.
Steve
Steve
SapphireGTS
Enthusiast
I put edelbrock heat shields on. They really look cool.
HOdbleFman
Enthusiast
I'm getting ready to install my B&B headers that I just had jet-hot coated. I don't think I'm going to put the heat shields back on.
ChoiceViper
Viper Owner
Yeah, those Edelbrock's are bad ass. I remember a pic a while back. Anyone still have it?
For those of you that run Belangers with heat shields - I have the standard dual ceramic coated version and the engine compartment runs cooler than it did with the stock headers. That is the idea behind the coating - cut down on the radiation/convection and transfer more out the exhaust.
There is also a note in the factory instructions that warns against putting on the heat shields.
There is also a note in the factory instructions that warns against putting on the heat shields.
Jack, That's what had me wondering. If the ceramic coatings do what they are supposed to do, why would the shields be needed? I did see in the instructions about not wrapping the headers but didn't know if that applied to the factory shields. Has anyone actually seen engine compartment temps rise with coated headers and no shields?
SapphireGTS
Enthusiast
Big Medicine
Enthusiast
On target: convection, conduction, & radiation = 3 only known forms of heat transfer on the big blue marble.
The factory shields affect two of the three modes, and if you handle the heat in another manner, e.g. ceramic coating, the shields are unnecessary.
The heat is always there, only redirected in different manners.
SapphireGTS
Enthusiast
exactly and lets not forget that air is terrible at heat transfer.
Kurt 97 GTS
Enthusiast
I've had my Belangers on for about 4000 miles now without the heat sheilds and NO problems as of yet!!
Got Venom
Enthusiast
I have about 10,000 miles on my Ceramic coated Belangers with no heat shields. I just got through putting the extra hole in the left speaker grill. Tons of hot air come out that hole now. I keep my beer cold in the engine compartment now. ;-) Seriously, I'm getting a chromed Sean Roe put on my car soon, and why they are working on it, I'm thinking of changing out the power steering line that runs right next to the headers on the driver side, with braided line. I hear this line is the weakest link from header heat. Anybody done this yet.
Hissses
Enthusiast
I have Belanger Headers and Random Tech High Flow Cats and Corsa exhaust. Talked with the owner of Belanger and was told not install the heat shields as it would ruin the headers. Had something to do with backing them as I recall. I also installed a vented cowl to reduce under hood temps and it works wonders 
it also looks alot better than the black factory piece.
it also looks alot better than the black factory piece.Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
Can you tell us where you got the vented cowl? Sounds like a good thing to do.
Steve
Hissses
Enthusiast
Got it from Jon B and it came painted already just remove the rubber from your old one and install it on the new one.Here is a link to a post with a carbon fiber cowl picture
Re: Vented cowl instalation and results
#296169 - 07/09/03 10:29 AM
Heres the post for a painted one on a car
Painted cowl - picture
#265516 - 04/26/03 09:49 AM
I would put the proper link/picture but I'm doing good to type with 2 fingers on a computer
Re: Vented cowl instalation and results
#296169 - 07/09/03 10:29 AM
Heres the post for a painted one on a car
Painted cowl - picture
#265516 - 04/26/03 09:49 AM
I would put the proper link/picture but I'm doing good to type with 2 fingers on a computer
Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
Thanks for the info. Has anyone put one of these on a RT/10? With an open top, is there a problem with the heat being sucked back into the car like a vacuum? I believe there is such a problem with the new car and it's vent placement on the hood.
Steve
Steve
andrew8896
Enthusiast
I know quite a few people that have open cowls on their cars and I have never heard anything about the heat entering into the car. However, I have heard some talk about more exhaust odor than before... but maybe that is just because they has a leaky header or something?
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