'02 3.0 muffler

[Mikeyranger]

I'm changing the muffler. the original is welded to the two pipes, tail and from the unit in front; I sawzalled it out. I noticed there is a heat shield on one side, nearest the driveshaft. The aftermarket one doesn't have this heat shield. My question is; is the heat shield a necessity?

thanks

 

[adsm08]

Nope. Heat shields are never a necessity. They are something the engineers put on the car so that there is one more thing to get rusty and make noise after 50K miles.

 

[SenorNoob]

I suspect that should be read sarcastically.^

 

[Rangurr]

Ya think??

What aftermarket muffler are you using to replace your stock one?