I am regrounding my T2 today and just took the TMIC off. For some reason I have never noticed the heatshield that is riveted to the bottom of it. This thing looks like a huge restriction on airflow through the TMIC. Would the heat from the engine overwhelm the TMIC if I removed it?

 

There's a heatshield?

The hell...

You mean the aluminum part on the TMIC that says "Turbo Intercooled"?

 

think he means the aluminium shield under the TMIC! if this one was meant, then i wouldn't recommend removing it, as it has an important job to prevent the TB ***. from being poured by incoming water (through the duct on the hood), and it of course also insulates the TMIC from heat produced by the engine..... but in my opinion the heat insulating effect is probably fine up to half an hour of driving, from that point the whole TMIC is getting really warm anyways... TMIC's suck fat dicks!!

 

The shield directs air through the cooler and out into the transmission tunnel. You need it. Also prevents heat soak from the engine (a small air gap goes a hell of a long way...).

 

OK, I have left it on. Finished grounding everything and took it for a ride. She runs beautifully now. Very little hesitation at 3800 and no more bucking at cruising rpm.

 

it also helps channel any possible rain water away from the electronic below it.