Opinions/Comments on my custom Belanger heat shields I will be building

[dave6666]

First off, I tried the let's modify the stock heat shield to fit the Belanger headers routine, and after 3 meticulous hours, it was apparent I could have made more progress in 30 seconds with a sledge hammer.

It wasn't a complete waste of time, as I had a chilled long neck near by always, but on to Plan B.

I am going to fab my own design out of sheet material and maybe add a layer of insulation too.

SHEET METAL - 0.030 mirror polished stainless steel or aluminum

INSULATION - looking at this stuff ***** : : C&R RACING : : *****

So the plan would be to have the mirror side toward the headers, and have the insulation on the other side, like what you can see.

I talked to CRR about the gold film and what I had in mind. They really had no experience with the exact use I had in mind, but did say that NASCAR teams use it on the floorboard and tunnel areas. Or basically, one sheet metal thickness from a really really hot exhaust that runs right under the car. Kind of like my shields might be.

Any comments on materials and design concepts?

BTW, as I know that there are likely lots of people that would be interested in a set of these, I really hate to spend my free time manufacturing stuff even for money. But I could easily create a CAD file to send for free to those that can build their own. I might build some if there was enough interest, but the CAD drawing is a easy to get done.

Finally, an apology to Damn Yankee for all of the grief I give him over Harbor Freight tools. I'm eyeballing this as a huge score...

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[FATHERFORD]

Dave, for that brake, I would look into going ahead and investing in this.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

This way if you ever to decide to get more creative in the future, you have a more universal tool.

Granted, this isnt super top quality, like most harbor freight tools, but it will get the job done. Atleast it has for my father and I.

 

[dave6666]

Dave, for that brake, I would look into going ahead and investing in this.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

This way if you ever to decide to get more creative in the future, you have a more universal tool.

Granted, this isnt super top quality, like most harbor freight tools, but it will get the job done. Atleast it has for my father and I.

I would be concerned about the capacity of that tool for braking, versus the single function one. The 3 in 1 would be maxed out at 0.030 SS sheet, whereas the other would not be so close.

When buying cheap tools you'll have less frustration if you run at half throttle.

But most certainly, thanks for the comment.

 

[CPPRHD265]

I went ahead and tagged this thread to keep an eye on what you come up with. I've very interrested as I'm planning the same route in the fall.

 

[EllowViper]

Me too. I've already fabricated a prototype on the driver's side. Right now a little rough, but it works. For the passenger, I plan on a different approach based on the lack of clearance for a typical heat shield.

 

[mad0953]

Dave, you might also take a look at Track Dog Racing's website....don't know the addy and I am too lazy to look it up for ya'll, but anyway they have an insulation blanket thingy that you can put on Miata headers and I think you could mod it to work on your car.

 

[dave6666]

Dave, you might also take a look at Track Dog Racing's website....don't know the addy and I am too lazy to look it up for ya'll, but anyway they have an insulation blanket thingy that you can put on Miata headers and I think you could mod it to work on your car.

Do you have a twelver you could get me real quick like? Those 2-1/2 seconds typing track dog racing in the search bar, followed by an additional 3/4 second of waiting to be taken straight to their site, has plum wore me out!!!

But really, the problem there would be keeping it off the headers. You need air space, or according to Lou Belanger you will ruin the Jet Hot coating.

My design of a rigid shield allows me to hold any gap that fits a particular space.

 

[ViperTony]

But really, the problem there would be keeping it off the headers. You need air space, or according to Lou Belanger you will ruin the Jet Hot coating.

Very true...I mangled the OEM heat shields and installed them over the Belanger headers. Within 3K miles the jet hot coating cracked and peeled something awful. Also, the headers looked cooked because the shields were basically sitting on the primary tubes and there was no airflow happening. I ended up sending the headers back to Lou and got them coated all over again. I've been running without shields and will stay way until I see Dave's results here. Great job Dave, can't wait to see what you put together.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

I'll be following this as well

 

[GTS Bruce]

Have CDI coated headers. After install and drive placed hand in airbox and almost burned it. Bought thermo tech shielding from jegs. Its silvered,fg then sticky. Cut to size and coated EVERYTHING the headers could see. Brake booster,airbox, ac hoses brake lines etc.etc. Nope doesn't look the greatest but works fine. Inside of airbox barely warm after a long drive now. GTS Bruce

 

[Dan Cragin]

We make Inconel heat covers for the GTS with headers. They are on our website: dcperformance.com under thermal products.

DC Performance Inc.
310-841-6996

 

[ViperBite]

If you get the CAD file done, please send it to me. I can take a ProE or Unigraphics file without a problem. Got a full machine/sheetmetal shop at my disposal.

 

[dave6666]

Have CDI coated headers. After install and drive placed hand in airbox and almost burned it. Bought thermo tech shielding from jegs. Its silvered,fg then sticky. Cut to size and coated EVERYTHING the headers could see. Brake booster,airbox, ac hoses brake lines etc.etc. Nope doesn't look the greatest but works fine. Inside of airbox barely warm after a long drive now. GTS Bruce

That is one approach that sounds quite effective. I'm going to try to climb the poser food chain one notch though.

We make Inconel heat covers for the GTS with headers. They are on our website: dcperformance.com under thermal products.

DC Performance Inc.
310-841-6996

Your product is certainly the first I would consider short of building my own. I wish there were better pics of that product available. Hard to see exactly what they cover from the small web shots I've seen.

Inconel is certainly in the "exotics work best" category that I have read about. I'll keep your product in mind as I have been.

If you get the CAD file done, please send it to me. I can take a ProE or Unigraphics file without a problem. Got a full machine/sheetmetal shop at my disposal.

YOU ARE HIRED!!!

 

[ViperTony]

We make Inconel heat covers for the GTS with headers. They are on our website: dcperformance.com under thermal products.

DC Performance Inc.
310-841-6996

Dan, what's pricing for these shields for Belanger headers?

 

[97GTS]

I'm also keeping an eye on your progress Dave, as I am also converting to side exhaust. Does anyone have any experience with Tech Line Black Satin to spray on the exhaust to keep the heat inside of the exhaust?

eBay Motors: Tech Line Black Satin High Temp Ceramic Header Coating (item 330236104353 end time Jun-12-08 11:43:28 PDT)

Ron

 

[FE 065]

Cheapest I've found the gold film is $26ft

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[dave6666]

I'm also keeping an eye on your progress Dave, as I am also converting to side exhaust. Does anyone have any experience with Tech Line Black Satin to spray on the exhaust to keep the heat inside of the exhaust?

eBay Motors: Tech Line Black Satin High Temp Ceramic Header Coating (item 330236104353 end time Jun-12-08 11:43:28 PDT)

Ron

I assume you mean for the OE headers, as others usually come coated(?)

Cheapest I've found the gold film is $26ft

You must be registered for see images

Where's that price? I've only found $36. But that is for 24x12 inches. Do you mean $26 for that size?

 

[97GTS]

I'm thinking of spraying the old resonator and new muffler with the Black Satin before mounting them on the side. Just want to keep the Autoforms from bubbling up since they are glass not aluminum. Any comments?

Ron

 

[dave6666]

I'm thinking of spraying the old resonator and new muffler with the Black Satin before mounting them on the side. Just want to keep the Autoforms from bubbling up since they are glass not aluminum. Any comments?

Ron

Do you not have the side sill heat shields in place?

 

[97GTS]

Only the one on the driver side and probably won't work with my setup (clearance).

Ron

 

[FE 065]

Yes, 24" wide x how many feet you want.

Evidently it's made by ATL


Google gold heat barrier film etc and you'll get a number of sources:

Gold Heat Reflective Racing Film

HRP Gold Heat Reflective Racing Film

Pegasus - GOLD Reflective Heat Barrier Film

 

[treesnake]

I had these on my car for a while. I was going to cover up the "label" with something else... the shields were supported by brackets attached to the exhaust man. bolts. Sorry for the photos

 

[treesnake]

 

[ViperTony]

I assume you mean for the OE headers, as others usually come coated(?)



Where's that price? I've only found $36. But that is for 24x12 inches. Do you mean $26 for that size?

Does the gold film covering the air intake box make a noticeable difference? I ask this because I was thinking about covering my air intake with gold film to see if the IAT temperatures would come down a bit.

 

[SYNFULL]

Here is a shot of the iconel's. They are very nice but expensive- like 250 per side.

 

[dave6666]

Here is a shot of the iconel's. They are very nice but expensive- like 250 per side.

PM sent...

 

[dave6666]

Well, this thread gets a brief burst of life as the run to Harbor Freight Tools for the sheet metal brake is now done.

They had it on sale for $180, and it is really a well built piece of equipment.

-> Sturdy stand
-> Self adjusting clamp levers
-> Viper red paint

For those curious of the economics of this project...

-> Brake $195 after tax
-> Mirror polished SS sheet $145
-> Gold insulation film $75

You can see that those add up to near the cost that the Inconel shields might be at ($500?).

Making sense of spending that much...

-> I have many Viper projects for the sheet metal brake, not just this one.
-> I believe my shields will cover better than the store bought product.

You can also save money by not using mirror polished sheet, and maybe use aluminum instead. Skip the gold film if you want. If all you had to buy is some plain sheet aluminum you could literally make this a $50 project or less.

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[BOTTLEFED]

I'm with ya Dave,
I find it rewarding to have custom parts on my car that I can say "I made that part"

and Mom always says,
A homemade gift is better than a store-bought gift...

and I love giving gifts to my Viper!