Hi all, apologies if this questions has been asked somewhere already -- I searched and couldn't quite find a clear answer, feel free to redirect me if I'm asking something that has been covered already.

I have a 98 XJ, purchased recently, and found that the catalytic converter has been cut out and replaced with a straight pipe. I have purchased a new cat and plan to have my muffler shop weld it in for me. My question is do I need a heat shield above the catalytic converter, maybe to keep the heat off the cat from burning the floorboard carpet, etc? The cat that I purchased says it comes with a heat shield already, but I think what they mean by "heat shield" is just a stainless steel outer shell around the actually honeycomb/catalyst. I'm talking more about maybe some sort of sheet that needs to be welded/attached above the cat along the undercoating of the vehicle.

Hope this makes sense, just don't want to burn/melt anything. I looked under my wife's 2012 Ford Edge and saw what looked like some sort of metal/bubble wrap/insulation type material above the cat, I assumed that was a heat shield, and that's sorta what I'm wondering if I need for the XJ.

thanks in advance.

 

It is in your best interest to have a heat shield above your cat.

 

my buddy with a 2001 xj has a heat shield attached to the floor board. My 1990 XJ does not. that said it probably aint difficult to attach some sheet metal to the floor board to serve as a heat shield.

Of course the straight pipe is the better option, given the high rate of catalyst theft, and huge cost for a replacement that is. replacement cats are pushing 800 bucks for a california special type. and they do not prosecute the criminal bast@rds anymore. time to set a trap, kill them, and bury them, so sad.

 

So you’ve not had any issues like carpet melting, etc? That’s my only concern. I asked my muffler shop about it, and they said they don’t offer any heat shield, and that I probably won’t need a heat shield because of how far down the cat is situated from the undercarriage (which doesn’t seem that far away, maybe 6 inches or so?).

 

highly recommended

Catalytic Converter Heat Shield - Heatshield Products

 

Much appreciated, I’ll check that out.