In replacing the uppipe on my 2.5 l motor, I was forced to remove the bottom half of the heat shield from the passenger side exhaust manifold. While I had it off, I weighed it at about 2.4 lbs. It then occurred to me to question whether I really need the exhaust manifold heat shields or not. Replacing heat shields with pipe wrap could probably save 10 lbs from the front end of the car.

Anyway, the way I figure it, the exhaust manifold heat shields serve possibly four functions:

1) Keep heat away from other under-hood components

2) Keep heat inside the manifold, for faster turbo spool up

3) Keep water from splashing onto the manifold, possible causing thermal cracking

4) Keep inquisitive hands (or road debris) from being burned

Does anyone care to advise me as to which of these (or some other) function is the real purpose of the exhaust manifold heat shields? Possibly rank these reasons in order of importance?

Thanks...............Frank

5. Not set wire, plastic, and miscellaneous parts on fire
6. Won't chip off, absorb water, or cause the metal to become weak/burn up.

Sometimes OEM has a quality that the aftermarket does not duplicate. I want parts with equivalent head shields.