Are the turbo heat shields necessary?

[rod.bearings]

Put back my turbos but forgot the front heat shield. Was wondering if it would be a huge impact? Looks like just a thin piece of metal and it's a pain in the ass to get back in.

[kprocivic]

I don't have mine on either.

[The Wind Breezes]

Believe it or not the thin shield actually makes a HUGE difference because it blocks radiated heat which is what is responsible for most of the very high temp toasting under your hood. Whatever was on the other side of the shield will get a lot more heat. Most components will have a reduced life exposed directly to the turbo, but emphasis on reduced. There are lots of quasi reliable turbo projects running no heat shielding at all.

[rod.bearings]

Thanks for the responses! Makes me feel a lot better lol. Worse case scenario if it fries my oil and coolant lines, then I'll have an excuse for a single turbo