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I was just wondering this hunk of metal is serving a vital purpose or is just there for kicks. I tried to take the thing off just for fun but the two bolts most of melted themselves to the block because they would not budge.

If they are important do you have to keep it on if you replace the headers?

 
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it looks like the bolts melted themselves becasue its welded on at the factory. I didnt know that so when I got my headers I cranked and cranked till I broke the weld....

you got to get to it from underneath

 
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He said the heat sheild and the bolts to the block. You are talking about the bolts connecting the header to the downpipe.

Now, the heat sheild bolts will not be welded to the block. You just need to use some "PB Blaster" on them and let it soak and put some elbow grease behind it is all. There is also a third bolt holding it on in the front towards the bottom of the sheild. That one is a pain from my experience. As for it doing anything? It is keeping the heat off of your engine compartment. I would leave it on.

 
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why would u want to take it off? It looks better then a rusted header.

 
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It was more just a curiosity thing. So I understand its purpose but if you put new headers on the car you don't still use the heatshield do you?

 
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No you don't use the heat sheild with an aftermarket header. Most of those have a coating on them that will help keep the heat in the exhaust.