I AM NOT SUGGESTING YOU DO THIS, BUT THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO PERSONALLY. I TAKE NO LIABILITY FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO THE FOLLOWING. IN FACT, I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING YOU DO AT ALL!
You could hunt the boneyards for catalytic converter heat shields, then just spot weld them onto the H-pipe...or snag a piece of sheet steel and bend & cut it to LOOK like a shield, then weld it on.
Note: yes, very illegal, mebbe a felony, but saves a lotta cash if you don't get caught. I'm playing devil's advocate here.
