I removed the engine covers on my new-to-me '13 TL. I noticed that the front piece had a rubber seal to fill the gap under the hood. I took it off anyway, but it's bugging me the more I think about it.

Should I put that piece back on?

Has anyone modified that front piece -- i.e., cut away all the extra -- so just the seal part is left?

 

no one has but i would just leave it back on.. it serves no purpose taking it off..

 

I would leave the covers on.

 

+1, leave it on

 

That rubber seal plays a role in the aerodynamics, and also prevents the hood from vibrating. Put it back on.

 

Shoot. OK. If there's a function, I'll put it back on. I really do think it looks cheap, though.

 

The front cover also has a cutout which matches the intake which routes the air to the actual filter.



If you take a look at that area of the cover you'll see the top half of an air duct.

 

Took that cheap side cover plastic shit off my new ride (not an Acura.) Now you can actually see and hear the engine I paid so much of my hard earned money for (not to mention the mounts for the strut tower brace.) I'm not sure what the function of the side covers are other than wind noise and looks. But that is some really cheap plastic. I'll bet someone could make a CF set that would sell out on eBay (right along with the fake chrome air intake/exhaust portholes.)