so.. making my own heat shield

**Molotov** · 09-10-2008 07:52 AM

how thick would you go on the aluminum sheet? 1/8 is probably too thick to bend, and would be a pia to cut huh?

also, what kind of insulation? just anything high temp or would you get the furnace insulation

basically following this http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53186

**mdzaudi** · 09-10-2008 07:58 AM

If you get aluminum, make sure you get 5052 because 6061 will crack if you try to bend it. Also, 1/8" will be tough to bend (depending on the length of your bend) unless you have a brake. I would probably go with something a bit thinner.

**darkstar** · 09-11-2008 06:43 PM

1/8" shouldnt be a problem to bend!

**UhOhQuattro** · 09-11-2008 08:37 PM

It's times like these that my going to Aviation High School [with its plethora of Sheet Metal tools and metal availability] would pay off ;-)

**A4 KiDD 810** · 09-11-2008 08:42 PM

I followed this a while ago, all of the supplies can be found at home depot for $40-$50. You won't need the door weather strip because mine actually started to melt from the heat. Secondly if the shield needs to flex a little, the weather strip is way too sturdy which doesnt allow it to bend, which will make issues, so I would say you can do without that. The epoxy I wouldnt get either, only $3 if you do, but when you're making it and its not as easy as just reading the DIY you'll figure out it doesnt need that triangle support to survive. If you can make it easily then go ahead, but I couldnt make it easily so I said screw it. Anyway, good luck.

**absolutegtr** · 09-11-2008 09:22 PM

The heatshields I use to make were 1/16" thick......WAY more than enough

**dougyfresh** · 09-12-2008 04:41 AM

I was probably going to use steel sheet stock and have it ceramic coated

**Molotov** · 09-12-2008 06:42 AM

so, I ended up getting some really thin stuff.. Don't know what to use for insulation.. been looking at reflect-a-cloth. Expensive but that shit looks good. Also picked up some garage door weather strip, its big and squishy.. easily will bend around (probably will melt too, time will tell)

Plan for today is just to get the cardboard stencil done, cut out the aluminum and just use that until i get some insulation... Better than nothing!

(ps, drove around last night in 55 degree weather, car pulled harder than my old stock drop in, and sounded effing sweet)

**absolutegtr** · 09-12-2008 07:59 AM

/\ Damn, 55* rules.....it was 91* here....I miss the North sometimes...

BTW, you didnt buy roofing flashing, did ya?

That stuff is too thin and has no rigidity to it...

**Molotov** · 09-12-2008 11:11 AM

haha yeah i'm pretty sure i did, just made the template and cut it out, its going to work for now... and I absolutely have to make adjustments.. right now it's kinda jammed in there. This is going to be very iterative. Once i have that crappy aluminum cut out and fitting perfect I'll probably bring it some place that does metal work, and have them bend me out a nice piece using the aluminum as a template