Heat Shielding

[Dynamic Entry]

Just wondering, I am going to remove all the heat shielding form my exhaust tomorrow as a first step to swapping in my new system. I plan to just cut whatever gives me trouble b/c I don't expect to re-install it around the new stuff.
Is it okay to run without the shielding? In other threads people have spoken about underbonnet temps going up and things like speedo cable wearing out sooner, but I don't particularly want to cover my CES downpipe with 15 year old heat shielding... unless I should

[stipro]

If I were you I would do away with the heat shield. Wait, why are you removing it anyways? Just pull the exhaust off and replace with the ces one. If your worried about underhood temp. then I would just buy some heat wrap, and apply it to the down pipe.

[Dynamic Entry]

hmmm, i haven't been under the car since i got it in november. i guess i just thought the shielding was covering the flanges so it would need to be removed independently of the exhaust pipes. If thats not the case... seet on