Backbox heatshield - just remove it?

[Darren S]

After nearly 15 years I think the heatshield above the backbox is finally on its last legs.

Over the years, I've added larger washers to some of the bolt sections after the highly robust Alcan foil sheet, has clearly worn through and no longer supported by anything.

Could I simply just cut whats left of it off now? Does it really do much anyway? Any horror stories I should be aware of for those that have removed it?

Cheers,
D.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

When I had my 172, it started to rattle quite early into my ownership. I just pulled it off and binned it. In four years, I never noticed any ill effects!

 

[JamesBryan]

No issues removing it.

The boot floor on mine only gets slightly warm on mine on trackdays.