Anyone tried removing the flex panels on each side of the radiator to allow more cool air into the engine. I thought I read about it somewhere. It would deffently allow more cool air in the engine compartment. but don't know about air to the radiator. just a thought.

 

i did for my CAI... helps direct air into the heatsheild box ... the motor gets a little mroe dirty when its wet out and your behind someone ... and ever since i took those off and i have the HVAC sytem on OFF position i can hear a whirling or forced air sound .. kinda like a bad gromit or weatherstriping somewhere..as soon asi turn it to like defrost or the feet or dash air it goes away...its odd..a little anoying but i have lived with it and rarely notice it now

 

I removed mine a long time ago to let more air come on to my K&N FIPK. Only changes I notice is that my filter gets a dirtier faster. I am thinking about putting it back because I have to clean my filter pretty often, escpecially if I drive in rain or snow. If you live in a climate that gets a lot of rain, or you drive in a lot of dust often, I would not remove it unless you get the rain/snow/dust cover for your filter, or you like to clean your filter every couple of months.

Also, I have heard that if you remove both sides, you risk having your hood blown up by gusts, like when you pass a semi on the highway (allows too much air to be forced up under your hood).