If you can figure out a way to securely attach it, then do it. The manifold and turbo get hot enough that radiant heat from them are an issue. That little rubber hose is especially vulnerable. Don't worry about the thermostat housing. A stainless sheet will reflect the radiation and trap a layer of air between it and the manifold/turbo to reduce convection. When I had an HRC kit, I bent the tab on the heater pipe to allow a sheetmetal panel to be bolted to it. It worked well, but only covered the manifold.

Corbin
'95 ESI-T

Now with more power and fewer leaks



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