I'm going manifolds, uppipes, and a downpipe and wanting to know if I need to keep the stock turbo heat shield on or not as its alot easier to get to the downpipe if I just take it off and wondering if I can leave it off for good. Guess all aftermarket turbos don't require one so I wouldn't think stock would?

I would leave it .... I was able to do the down pipe with it in place and without having to cut it.

It's a lot easier to work on everything with it gone. Especially when doing up pipes. I took mine off and never put it back on.