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Hi everyone,
While my engine and transmission are out I have the chance to clean-up the bottom of the chassis. I found some heat shields bolted to the body above where the catalectic convertors are, never knew they were there!
I removed them, had them sandblasted, primed and painted with exhaust hi-heat Rust-oleum. Ready to put them back on.
I should have taken a photo of them before I removed them! I can't figure out where they bolted to, Every time I think I figured out where they go they either block where the transmission mount goes or the shifter opening is! Here is a photo after I removed them.
Can someone help me with the correct positioning of the shield? The factory undercoating you see faces away from the body, only two ways it can fit! I count six holes where the bolts went. Thats not counting the two bolts that go to the captive nuts that hold the three pieces together.
Thanks
The left piece in the picture goes closer to the rear of the car after the driveshaft, transmission and the rear sub-frame with the differential is installed. A hanging driveshaft that isn't connected to the diff will bend the shield.
The left piece in the picture goes closer to the rear of the car after the driveshaft, transmission and the rear sub-frame with the differential is installed. A hanging driveshaft that isn't connected to the diff will bend the shield.
Thanks Jeff76, figures I have it bass actwards!
I swear the largest piece went where the transmission bellhousing is!
I went through all this because I have a BLACK GLX, anything to keep heat away from the cabin is important. The dealer made me switch to the newer freon which only cools at 75% of what the R13 did. Perhaps I will change it back?
I'll blame it all on global warming, working on the car in the hot sun all summer has fried my brain a bit.
Can't wait until I have a bunch of parts left over after I get it all back together.
I am gunning for you with your restoration. Many wouldn't have gotten as far as you have.
Take care of yourself out there. Heat stroke is a killer.
My battery died before I could take more pictures. Here is part of the rear shield so you have a bit of an idea where it starts.
The shields are important. I saw some jokes here about melting your passengers shoes soles. 😆
The first S5 I rode in and later bought, my friend drove the car so hard the cats were glowing red with heat.
[QUOTE][t looks like the driveshaft mount on the differential is off center to the tunnel!/QUOTE]
Good question, I just looked at mine. The drive shaft is straight with the transmission but not centered in the tunnel. I would assume that the tunnel needs centered because of the seats, etc. The rest fits so.....
It's looking good so far. I will say though the second one is blocking the holes for the trans mount. There is a fourth very small shield on the mount as well. This will keep some of the heat off of the bushing, hopefully extending the life of it.
The center bushing is up side down, I have since fixed it.
(Quote) I will say though the second one is blocking the holes for the trans mount.
I will have to bend the shields somewhat to get the transmission in place. I am impressed with the level of engineering that went into the design of RX-7's.
They have gone to great lengths to control where the hi-temp exhaust gasses leave the engine.
I plan on installing a header type exhaust manifold, it just looks too good not to have one!
I will wrap it with insulating material to minimize the engine compartment heat level, perhaps fabricate a sheet metal heat deflector above the header.
I have been researching this for a bit now. I have read were some suggest it especially with a turbo and the cast iron manifold.
Aftermarket sheilds do exist, Racing Beat I think. Maybe for a 12a though? An N/A with a header won't hold as much heat as a cast one.
I saw a post where Aaron c said it wasn't necessary with a header. I personally would want something. Even if was just a half one like the Racing Beat one.
09-10-24, 09:47 PM
