964 Heat Shield / Toss or Keep?

[reston911]

I have a 92 C2. I permanently removed the bottom engine tray 9 years ago, when I bought the car..... The engine will be out soon for a clutch job and would like to remove the heat shield, I think that is what it called... seems to be what the bottom engine tray once bolted on to.. It's made of a hard rubber material and shiny on the outside.. It is essentially 4 vertical sides around the engine.

Is is Ok to remove this Head shield, or does is serve a worthwhile purpose?

[pantera]

I have a 91 964 and removed the engine tray also for ease of jacking the car. IMHO I wouldn't remove the heat shields as they do serve a purpose in containing the heat. Can't say I ever heard of anyone removing them.

Dan

[bazar01]

Well, if you are planning not to put the undertray back on, then you can totally remove the heat shields. Your air-cooled engine will love it. But you will be exposing the valve covers and cooling fins to road debris so it's your decision.

[reston911]

Thanks for the replies.! Since road debris is not an issue for my driving area, but ocassionally getting caught in dreaded stop and go DC beltway traffic is, my thought is cooler= better, for the engine area. I know earlier model 911's didn't have this heat shield/ Engine tray combo, and they seem no worse for wear.. Plus I have better access /visibility to the engine with the heat shield removed.