You know the pressed metal shroud over a stock header...

- My first guess it that it is there to keep your hands off the hot hot header, but then it gets dangerously hot as well.

- My next guess is that its there to cover up the inevitable rust that a header will have...purely cosmetic.

- My last guess is that it somehow keeps the radiator fan or fresh air from blowing onto that part of the header for some reason.

However, it gets in the way when you're working on the car, and aftermarket headers do not come with such a shroud.

What is its purpose, is there any harm in removing it?

 

its called a heat sheild, it disipates heat

 

I've always thought its to hide rust and protect you.

I've had mine off for ages never a problem about it.

 

i removed mine with no increase in temp. i'm sure i'm wrong but it seems to me it would trap more heat than it dissipates. but as stated it is the heat shield.

 

yea thats it trap the heat, sorry i just got up. it traps the heat that way it doesnt effect other things in the engine bay