OK Brain Trust, here's another resto question.

I'm getting ready to replace the right side floor pan in my 81. Having said that, the catalytic converter was removed long ago, replaced with a straight pipe.
I'm still using a replacement pan that has the "hump" though so that it will fit my seat rails.
Here's the question:
The heat shield is still in place under the car. I'd rather remove it completely because I don't want to drill holes for the hangars in my beautiful new pan. Without the catalytic converter, is the heat shield necessary? Also, I will be using POR 15 then EZ Cool in this area. I'm hoping the EZ Cool will provide some protection.

I would not wish to blister my passenger's butt.
Thoughts?

i remember thinking about removing mine when i pulled the cat.... then i moved to a place that has emissions testing... i think that would be my only concern.... especially with the ez cool i would think that you would be ok (without the cat)... but i am not in the braintrust club....

I got my answer from Csaba. No heat shield means hot feet, with or without the cat. damn.

i took mine off 10yrs ago with no problems so far,
but my exhaust is not the right one so it hangs lower and more to the center

Or you can wrap your exhaust system. While the header may crack after a while due to hot temperatures inside the wrap, the under-body part of the exhaust can be wrapped with no big deal, reducing the temperatures up to 50%. Just pay attention to speed bumps so you don't ruin the wrap and you will be fine.

Riccardo,
This is not a bad idea! After the hassle of removing the shield today, I think this might be a good alternative to reinstalling it. Coupled with EZ Cool on the interior, it might just do the job but you're right, I'll just stick with the area that the CAT used to be and stay away from the header.

Deb

No problem Deb, if you decide to go with the wrap route be sure to wear a pair of hard rubber gloves (or heavy duty gloves) because that wrap cloth/thing can be a real b***h! It's like handle fiberglass, so that stuff can easily go inside your hands if you don't wear any protection. Good luck with the job, it should be an easy one and I think it will work great

FYI: The EZ Cool, (plus some thin closed cell foam insulation and the carpet/coco mats) did the trick on my 80FI. nice and comfortable, no noticeable heat at all, and no wrapping of the exhaust needed.