What did you make your heat sheilds out of?
 

Okay, this is a slight branch from my other post (misc. questions) for the intake.

I've done some searching, and after reading posts from 2 years ago and up, I've seen some awesome intakes around here. What I'm really curious about though, is what you guys used to make your heat sheilds...

Foghorn, from what I've gathered, used lexan, with absolutely gorgeous results. I've seen some people who have just used the bubble stuff, and I've seen a bunch that never quite said what they made their heat sheilds out of. I even read the psuedo debate between silverbullet2000 and willwren about the heat sheild (fun reading... http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...pic.php?t=2255 ).

So what's the general consensus? The lexan looks great, but I'm not sure where I'd buy it, or even how much it would co$t... I'd like to find a nice balance of function, form, and cost. Doesn't have to be too cheap (though I wouldn't complain a bit if it was), doesn't have to be too pretty (though I wouldn't complain if it was), and it should be very functional (i think i would complain if it wasn't).

So what did you guys use?

Bubble wrap stuff is the easiest, but can be the ugliest also. I had mine on for two months, before I took it off last week because it looked stupid. I think plexiglass would be the best bet, or maybe sheet metal. (IE: cookie pan material)

I'd try to avoid sheetmetal. It will transfer a lot of heat. I use the bubble wrap stuff. It's ugly, but does the job.

Yea, obviously metal is going to transfer heat and cold easily, but spray it or line it with something maybe

I chose Acrylic, but for several reasons. I have the tools to work it with, and it's perfect for the laser system I engraved it with. In addition, it can give you the firm mounting surface to ADD the bubble wrap stuff.

Here's how i'd prefer them.
Lexan
Plexi
Acrylic.

If you want to shape it, lexan is the only one that wont crack. It's VERY heat resistant. Plexi is great if you're not shaping it or anything much, it'll break alittle easier, and is softer and will heat soak some.

My mom suggested I do not use acrylic when i was looking at materials. So i'm still up on how i want to do my final design. The one i have now blocks the heat and is insulated with wrap though.

Acrylic is more flexible, and will not crack or break while cutting. It can be cut and shaped just like Plexi, Polycarbanate, and many other similar materials. For our purposes, there's virtually no difference. Polycarbonate tends to bubble when it's heated for shaping, Acrylic won't.

I use Poly and Acrylic at work on a daily basis. I'd much rather work with Acrylic.

that's good to hear - i went on the hunt tonight and was only able to locate acrylic... several thicknesses, but the largest thickness was .25"... what would you suggest?

also, for making the box itself, should i heat and bend, or cut and adhesive together?

one last quick one - for that k&n (the 4750, if memory serves) that you guys all use - do you need a 3 inch ID or 3 inch OD pipe?

thanks all (again!)

Mines made out of the bubble wrap stuff, only mine is the low buck approuch I used windshield heat shield as my base matierial and then used heat tape as a secondary....I ended up using the heat tape over the engine side of the heatshield and covering the exposed intake pipe behind the intake shield then covered the whole mess in windshield heatshield matieral............I dont think it looks too bad......\

http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...16_27_full.jpg

http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...16_28_full.jpg

DANGIT REXED.......I suck at image posting!!!!! :oops:

Here follow this link and you can see the heatshield!
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/613816/4