Quick question about exhaust heat shields

[APCdude]

So I've taken off the header heat shield and the small one just below it (around the O2 sensor), but over the period of a few months the rattle has come back and evolved. I'm thinking about removing the last shield between the cat and the O2 sensor, but am worried about the danger.

Some people say that only removing the cat heat shield will cause excess cabin heat (at least on the floor), but is it the cat heat shield that protects against starting grassfires?

In other words, I want to remove all the heat shields except the cat, but is this safe?

[ricebike]

mine's were already missing from the previous owner (i'm the 2nd & hopefully last owner of my s13)

just keep in mind that it'll feel a tad warmer in the foot area & not to park over dry grass... <shrugs> I didn't start any fires in my 10 years of driving/parking my car...

but, do you have a replacement heat shield around the header (either via wrap or other fab sheet metal) to protect the brake master cylinder & clutch master cylinder???

[APCdude]

Yes, I did a thermal wrap around the header after I took off the heat shield.

So the inherent danger of starting fires is not just from the cat?

[ricebike]

i'd leave the heat shield around cat if possible; i don't have the bottom 1/2 on, but i don't park over dry grass either...

i did see some people running too rich & burned their rear plastic bumper off... LOL... but some were decent at rigging a plate riveted over the bumper area. <shrugs>