Do CAT Shields cause overheating?

Came across this article about CAT Shields trapping heat & causing overheating on the HONDA Element.

I realize i have some vents on my CAT Shield but it’s not the same as what they have drawn up as an approved design.

What’s your take on this, should we have any concerns ?

https://catshield.com/blogs/news/the-design-process

 

No. I don't see any issues.

There is plenty of air flow. They as re trying to scare you into buying their specific shield. It's a marketing sham.

 

If you look at the actual MillerCAT Tundra offering it is no different than most of the other cat shield designs.

https://catshield.com/collections/toyota-tundra

 

Ok that’s what i thought…. it didn’t make sense, in article they provide new approved design yet they sell a different design for the tundra. Perhaps it was a design just for the honda element

 

Not sure why they show cased that open design but you are probably right about it benefiting other vehicles.

A few members here have reported slightly elevated surface temps with cat shields, +20 degrees, but relative to cat operating temps it is minor. Cats like to be hot but too early to tell if these shields are hurting anything but I doubt they are damaging the cats.

 

I don't have shields, but I was more concerned with the other stuff under shield operating at higher temps than I was with the cats.

 

I have had my plates for quite some time and absolutely no issues at all with FL heat.

 

Good deal. It can be really hard to tell until you look at the numbers. Do you have liquid-to-air ATF cooler on your Tundra?

 

I have the SG3 and it will give you cat temps.

 

The biggest difference, based on my popcorn eating and speculation is their early designs were more of a box around the cat that sealed up to the unibody. This entrapped air and heat a lot more then if the top was open.

Most Tundra cat shields have plenty of air gap at the top of the shield, and frame to let air circulate out.


Granted, that is just me making an arm chair speculation. I wasn't involved in their design processes, so I don't really know what they did on their first designs.


They have some pretty good blogs... that Amada Laser is awsome!

 

Most cat shields are like a skid plate. Hard to imagine air getting baked in there. If the shield just covered the cat like a blanket then I would assume it would

 

Thanks for the input, I actually have your CAT shield Great Product!.....Enjoy the popcorn

 

I wouldn't be concerned about the cats running hotter due to the flow of hot exhaust gases keeping the temperature pretty constant. However, the surrounding components are going to be getting a little extra heat applied, especially when slowly moving or stopped. Not a fan of that, so I used expanded metal which also allows me to monitor for leaks and rinse off any road salt residue easily. Saved a bundle too which is always a great thing!

 

My only concern is getting weeds or grass caught in them while at the ranch and it causing a fire. For this reason I’ll have to take my chances with the meth heads

 

Highly unlikely as most cars don't have cats as exposed as tundras. Usually they are hidden and tucked away in the engine bay where air flow is minimal.

Also if there is trapped heat, the tranny is right there, and I still see the same temps as before the shields.

 

My homemade shield has no air holes and I haven't seen a temp difference the past 2 years, it's the reason I haven't put holes in it yet

 

as an fyi...the cat temp is an interpolation. not an actual sensor reading.