DIY Throttle Body Heat Sheild

**rfmgtp02** · 11-17-2008

Well a friend of mine works for a sheet metal company and fabricates duct work. He asked me if there was anything he could make out of stainless steel sheet metal for me (guess hes bored and has free time at work). One of the first things that came to mind was a throttle body heat sheild. Ive seen them for sale and i know they are pretty cheap but free is always better than cheap. So basically what im just curious if any one has basic dimension but more specifically the placement/size/dimensions of the holes/mounting tabs. Those dimension are the only ones i see as being critical where as the over sheild can be more forgiving. If anyone has a tb heat sheild and could help me out with this it would be awesome. If you also have suggestions as to other things that could be made im open to all idea. The only draw back is that i dont believe he can fabricate any thing that would need to be welded. He can do all kinds of cutting and bending but it would have to be made out of a single piece of sheet metal. Thanks

**SyntheticShield** · 11-17-2008

I have a heat shield, but am not in a place I could grab dimensions for ya. However, if he does make one for you, I would pay particular attention to the mounting tabs. Mine broke off from vibration, and as I understand it, this is a common problem. So that would be an area I focus on.

If I had to guess its probably 8 inches long and maybe 3.5 - 4.0 inches wide. with the mounting tabs made so that they are spaced apart and drilled to mount to the bottom two bolts of the throttle body.

**rfmgtp02** · 11-17-2008

I suspected that the strength of the mounting tabs may be and issue but i think im going to have him build it out of 16 gauge sheet vs 22 gauge (i believe the ones for sale are made from 22 gauge). This should help the sheild perform better along with increased strength to the tabs. The only problem i can possibly forsee is that the length of the factory bolts on the tb may be long enough to pass through the thickness of the sheet. Worst case scenario however is i have to buy longer bolts. Is there anything that i should take into consideration regarding the heat sheild in regards to clearance with other parts in that area? Thanks for the quick reply Synthetic sheild.

**BADAZGTP** · 11-17-2008

Get him to make you a heatsheild for your cross over pipe. That would help keep heat off your intake piping.

**rfmgtp02** · 11-17-2008

Originally Posted by BADAZGTP

Get him to make you a heatsheild for your cross over pipe. That would help keep heat off your intake piping.

Considered that as well and would be more effective i would imagine but what could you bolt something like that to?

**Zef_66** · 11-17-2008

16 Ga is only .060" thick. If the bolts can't accommodate an extra .060", then something is wrong there. There should be more than enough length on the bolts for an extra .060" (1/16th of an inch).

**Smokin2000gtp** · 11-17-2008

How about making something like this for the crossover.

**Bio248** · 11-17-2008

who need a heat shield? go faster.

**rfmgtp02** · 11-18-2008

Originally Posted by Smokin2000gtp

How about making something like this for the crossover.

And bolt it to what?

**blueguy** · 11-18-2008

^^ I think that is pointless IMO.

In theory it would just bolt to itself but that would just be like wrapping the stock crossover in a metal pipe. Just get one made like this...ZZ Performance

only thing I could think of is continuing it around the crossover...but idk about that...

**Street Wolf** · 11-18-2008

Heat shield is mostly worthless. Here is what you do...

**Smokin2000gtp** · 11-18-2008

Originally Posted by rfmgtp02

And bolt it to what?

Bolt it to itself after you wrap it around the crossover. Personally wrapping your crossover would be much more effective and a lot easier though.

**04CompG** · 11-18-2008

The zzp heat shield is so pointless. When I took i out of the box I laughed. I will measure it tomorrow but it can't be more than 2" wide by 5-1/2" long. There is room to make it bigger, thats for sure.

**rfmgtp02** · 11-18-2008

I figured that its pretty much a worthless mod to actually spend money on but if my friend is bored at work and wants a lil project to occupy a little bit of his time then what the hell ill give it a shot. It certainly couldnt hurt performance and its going to be the best price there is.....free.....might actually have him fab up a battery cover for my yellow top optima.....considering it pisses me the when i look under the hood of my red car i see a bright yellow battery.