Just got the horrible heatshield ripped off my car, now doesnt sound like its about to blow up! For reference, it wasnt the cat, but the heatshield just behind it, underneath the gearbox linkage.

I might do the same. Least then I wouldn't have to tighten it every 6 months.

any pics ?

I wish, but the local garage who i am mates with did it for me, it would be a pain in the a**e to reach without jacking the whole car up. I just watched them and smiled when was silent again!

One thing though, is it really a good idea to take it off?

I thought it was the cat heatshield, which i thought would be more of an issue, but if lies just about beneath the centre console, the only thing above it was the gear/handbrake gubbins, but they put it there for a reason..............

[color=blue]Just had my centre box replaced because it was blowing at the heat shield, asked the bloke at the exhaust place whether a pattern part would have the shield attached or not (original part is bolted to exhaust and not car) and he said probably yes, but it wasn't, though not really a problem as its the new Walker type, two skins to help with the extending life of exhaust (airflow I believe its called, or something like that) Surprisingly enough, could smell the heat of exhaust (it was that hot) but touching it it was barely enough to fry an egg, so thumbs up to Walker!![/color]