Hey guys. Installed my downpipe tonight. Question that I can't seem to find an answer. Did you guys put the oem upper and lower heat shield back. It was a real ***** to get off! I can't imagine putting bak that lower one. I just left my aftermarket heatshield up top. The oem upper will rattle around if it's not connected to the lower heat shield.

Thanks!

 

Yes I kept everything back in.

Why? Does it not fit?

 

Not it doesn't. I think it may have bent coming off. And I can't see how to bend it back to fit with out being able to actually see up there lol.
The upper heat shield fits fine. But wobbles around with out wing bolted to its lower half.
I have an aftermarket heatshield on that seems to be doing the trick so far.

 

You should put it back. The MINI engineers put it there for a reason.

For what it's worth, any time I fooled around with my downpipe, I had the front end in service mode. It gives you a lot more room to work with and it's very easy to put everything back in place.

 

I didn't even remove the lower head shield when i did mine. and got all but one bolt back in so it doesn't rattle. but definitely put it back.

 

I had the upper one off, and the bolts removed from the lower one. I was able to get the DP out from underneath when I allowed the lower heat shield to move when I removed the dp. I also bent the heat shield when I removed it the first time. I test fit it to the upper heat shield outside the car (I bent the tab nearest the turbo).

I agree that you should put the heat shield back on. I didn't use service mode. The hole for the bolt between the upper and lower shield on the passenger side is slotted, so you only have to have that out a few threads.

Also, the alternator is pretty close to the dp, as is the cooling fan. I would think that the shield is required.

Have fun,
mike

 

service mode?

 

"Service mode" is when you take the front of the car off to gain more access to the front part of the engine. Sounds like a lot of work but it's really not too bad.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...front-end.html

 

But is there a service position of the R56?

 

Yes, there is a service position for the R56. I found a youtube video on it, it gives you about 3" more room between the radiator support and engine, which would be very beneficial in getting the heat shields put back together.

Have fun,
Mike