Does anyone know if it is okay to remove the black rubber catcher in the front of the car that is attached under the radiator? I keep hitting it when I pull out of my driveway.

 

I think you are asking for trouble if you remove it! That part deflects air into the engine compartment to aid in the cooling process. Also it may be beneficial in the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle. Just take care when you go over stuff. I have scraped mine, too.

 

I would not remove it either - I believe it is ABS plastic BTW. Repecat is also correct that it will reduce the air going under the car, which causes lift at speed. On many cars, including the S2000, you will also find smaller ABS pieces in front of either the front, rear or both sets of tires. These are called strakes, and deflect air away from objects that are very aerodynamically poor, such as fat tires. The also can be used after wind-tunnel modelling to smooth the overall air flow of the vehicle.

 

Thanks guys, Just went downstairs and put it back on.

 

Got a question for anyone regarding the 2 bolts that attach the strake to the car frame. On your car are these bolts the same as those used on the air dam? On my 04 TL (VIN #21XXX) they are different. The strake bolt needs an Allen wrench or torque screwdriver to tighten it and it has a flat head. The air dam bolt just looks like a normal bolt.

The other day I hit debris on the freeway and it knocked off one of the strake's bolts. Today the dealer parts guy told me the strake uses the same bolt used on the air dam and it costs $4.62 and he'd have to order it. Reminded me of Road Rage's $1 clip dilemma. I passed on that idea and used a similar bolt from my toolbox.

This just has me wondering did Acura change the bolts in later VIN's to offer more support or is this parts guy giving me a line of $hit?

 

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