DIY: Aftermarket Exhaust Heat Shield Installation - Difficulty: Easy

There was a discussion about aftermarket exhaust piping not having the OEM heat shield which could lead to premature wear on the rear right and rear left CV boots as well as the differential. (Thread is here: Heat Shield Options for Aftermarket Exhausts Thread"

This picture borrowed from golemite is an example of how close the exhaust pipes are to the CV boots and differential. (Hope you don't mind golemite for borrowing the illustration)



Here's another perpsective:



So for peace of mind and to protect my CV boots and differential, I found an relatively inexpensive and easy to install heat shield. There are other products that Thermotec sells that can also be used to protect the CV boots and differential so you might want to see what works. I know others have ceramic coated their pipes and others have installed heat wraps. I just found this to be the easiest solution.

Parts Necessary:

1. 2 x Thermotec Clamp-On Heat Shield 1 Ft. Length, 4" Clamps- Part Number 11604 (Thermotec Weblink). It would have been better if i had ordered without 4" clamps because although their clamps are high quality Breeze Aeroseal Clamps, they were too large in diameter for my Vanguard Exhaust.





2. 6 x 2.25 Inch Stainless Steel Hose Clamps (this is the diameter of my Vanguard Exhaust, so the actual diameter may be different for your exhaust pipes) from Autozone. This is probably overboard, but I wanted to get Breeze Autoseal Military Spec Clamps but couldn't find any vendor nearby with it.

Tools Necessary:

1. Screwdriver or Electric Screw Driver to simplify installation when under the car.

2. Gloves *Optional if Exhaust is Hot

3. Jack and 2 Jackstands or Ramps to allow for easier access to the exhaust system.

Here is a picture of all the parts/tools that I used:


Procedure:

1. Jack up the rear end of car and set on Jackstands or Put the car on ramps

2. Prepare the Heat Shield by sliding the 3 clamps through the metal tabs but loosen ends of clamps so that they are disconnected from each other.



3. Install Left and Right Heat Shields by sliding the 3 sets of clamps around the exhaust sections that is right underneath the CV boots and differential.



4. Screw and Secure all 6 Clamps in a direction ensuring easy accessibility in the future.



Another angle of left side:


(This is only one side but you get the picture)

5. Check to make sure that all 6 clamps are tightly secured and then You are Done!

6. (Optional) Drive around for a few days and do a quick inspection on all 6 clamps to insure that they are secure

Hope this helps those who aren't too mechanically inclined. Just wanted to help out those who might not know about the heat shields. I know there are others who have posted similar pictures, but I wanted to put this in the DIY section for those who might not easily find it and want a easy to follow procedure.

Online Site to Buy This From:

If you guys want to pick up these online, I found a reliable place, they aren't super fast but I got them for a cheap price.

Here's the link to the one with clamps for $21.89: http://www.race-mart.com/items/products/thermo-tec/THE11604-detail.htm

Here's the link to the one without clamps for $20.49: http://www.race-mart.com/items/products/thermo-tec/THE11600-detail.htm

I have no affiliation with this company. I just saw that they ship for free and they have one of the lowest prices on the web for this!

I had to pick up two, but I guess paying about $41 is worth the peace of mind.

Since the install, have you had any NHV issues ?

rav7ks wrote

Since the install, have you had any NHV issues ?

Nope, the clamps are quite strong and since nothing moves around, there has been no increase in any noise, harshness, or vibration. This was done soley for my own comfort because if from factory the stock exhaust had a heat shield, then it'll probably be best to do it as well. They wouldn't increase cost of an exhaust if it was uncessary.

Hope this helps.

The M3 GT4 uses heat tape on the axle back portion to protect from heat. I might have to look into this?

Very nice - I picked some up a few months ago. When the weather warms up here I am going to install mine as well.

Glad I found this...gonna do the same once my exhaust arrives. Thanks!

nice...im going to do this next week!

Trier Germany wrote

The M3 GT4 uses heat tape on the axle back portion to protect from heat. I might have to look into this?

Do you have any pictures of that heat tape wrapped portion of the M3 GT4? I'd like to take a look!

albert1028 wrote

Do you have any pictures of that heat tape wrapped portion of the M3 GT4? I'd like to take a look!

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333061&highlight=GT4

There seems to be a requirement to keep the heat away from the portion of the exhaust closer to the front of the car in the proximity of the driveline. Probably some more rubber components there. Pretty sure there is a radial rubber shock absorber. Does the OEM system have any shields there?

Thanks, exactly what i am looking for. And if you guys call thermo-tec directly and ask for the closest distributors thats located near you, you'll most likely get them much cheaper than purchasing them through their website. I got mine shipped for cheaper than what i would have pay for if i were to buy it directly from them before shipping.

swamp2 wrote

There seems to be a requirement to keep the heat away from the portion of the exhaust closer to the front of the car in the proximity of the driveline. Probably some more rubber components there. Pretty sure there is a radial rubber shock absorber. Does the OEM system have any shields there?

Yes, the OEM system do have a shield there.

If you guys want to pick up these online, I found a reliable place, they aren't super fast but I got them for a cheap price.

Here's the link: http://www.race-mart.com/items/products/thermo-tec/THE11604-detail.htm

I have no affiliation with this company. I just saw that they ship for free and they have one of the lowest prices on the web for this!

I had to pick up two, but I guess paying about $41 is worth the peace of mind.

Hey guys why not buy Thermo Tec part # 11600 instead of the 11604? The 4" clamp is not used correct?

PunjabiM3 wrote

Hey guys why not buy Thermo Tec part # 11600 instead of the 11604? The 4" clamp is not used correct?

I did, but I got the clamps anyway.... lol...I'm not complaining lol.

albert1028 wrote

If you guys want to pick up these online, I found a reliable place, they aren't super fast but I got them for a cheap price.

Here's the link: http://www.race-mart.com/items/products/thermo-tec/THE11604-detail.htm

I have no affiliation with this company. I just saw that they ship for free and they have one of the lowest prices on the web for this!

I had to pick up two, but I guess paying about $41 is worth the peace of mind.

Hi Albert,

Glad to see you are happy with the results from the exhaust heat shield mod.

Since you PM'd me a few months ago (asking about an inexpensive solution that works), I was wondering if you ever actually installed the exhaust heat shield.


Great DIY install thread by the way.

Lemans_Blue_M wrote

Hi Albert,

Glad to see you are happy with the results from the exhaust heat shield mod.

Since you PM'd me a few months ago (asking about an inexpensive solution that works), I was wondering if you ever actually installed the exhaust heat shield.

Lemans was the one to guide me to this product! So thank you lemans for your guidance! I love how many members on this forum and willing to help out those that have questions!!!

Lemans_Blue_M wrote

Great DIY install thread by the way.

Thanks for the compliments, hopefully more to come!

PunjabiM3 wrote

Hey guys why not buy Thermo Tec part # 11600 instead of the 11604? The 4" clamp is not used correct?

Yup 11600 would probably work better. Not sure if there's a difference in pricing though. It's like a $1 difference but you would get 3 military grade 4" clamps, guess you can use it for another project! I think these Breeze Aeroseal Clamps are priced around $2.50 each, so 3 of them to have around is nice!

thanks for this diy.
just wondering if their is any advantage to using this over the heat shield wraps

riyatch wrote

thanks for this diy.
just wondering if their is any advantage to using this over the heat shield wraps

Was hoping that this DIY would help out one person at least. Glad to be of help. I don't think there is advantage except that it is removable and not permanent. I feel it's easier to put and less attention needed as well as time saving compared to heat shield wrap. That's my $.02.

this is just what i need. thanks for the great DIY and product info.

I have vanguard exhaust as well.

Just did this for my Meisterschaft GT2 muffler install.