Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications General Mods Removing the Plastic Panel under front bumper...

So I know everyone was removing the padded-matt from the hood to decrease amount of engine heat, etc., etc...
Well is there any problems with taking the plastic shield from the front bumper as well.(OTHER THAN RAIN)
I have a CAI and what better way than to increase the amount of cool air. Now is there a downside to this.
Im sure some or most of you have done this already, but I just want a final answer on it.

Other than dirt, bugs, rain, etc. Sure there's no problem with taking it off. You might could just cut holes in the plastic where air could actually travel through to get to your CAI. Not much air actually travels under the car though. The air that does is driven out the back, not up to the engine.

Leave it on!
Part of the reason it is there is to channel under car air past the engine bay so it does NOT lift the front end of the car up at high speeds!

The only way to make a downwards facing intake pipe a CAI instead of a heat eating POS (which they are) is to build a cone shaped heatshield around it. Talk to Brad about that...

FWIW, I have been driving my car without that panel for about 9 months now. I didn't remove the panel by choice, though. Mine was literally ripped off by crossing a low water bridge during a heavy T-Storm. The water was deeper than I thought, and the current grabbed that panel instantly and yanked it off. I freaked at first, but got over it. I thought for sure my driving lights would burn up, but I'm still on the same bulbs today. If there is a disadvantage with the panel being gone, I have yet to find it. I drove the car all winter in rain, snow, and have crossed the same low water bridge with no problems. I'm not sure if removing it will actually help feed your CAI cool air, but it seems like it is worth a try. If you don't see a difference, you can always put it back on. If youre worried about everyday driving, my experience without the panel has been fine.
BTW, I have hit 112mph a few times since the panel was ripped off, and I never noticed the front end of my car lift at any time. Don't know if that's considered high speed or not, but that's the fastest my zetec would go before the speed limiter kicked in.

HTH

What am I a F1 racer?
Well I doubt we'd even notice a difference in lift..
And Brad's heat shield might work on an open element air filter but Im pretty sure he doesnt have anything for a Cold Air Intake.

1. Above 50mph your car would. If you don't care about your safety; atleast care about the others on the road please. Even lifting a small amount of front end weight throws the balance of the car off (initial turning, braking, etc)

2. It's obvious you don't know what I'm talking about here. (BTW - All CAI's have an open air filter!)

Brad made a heatshield for his CAI setup. It's been posted and well documented a couple times on this site. I just figured you could do some legwork and SEARCH or just PM/Email him for some information on it.
Obviously you'd rather just ***** and not do either for some odd reason???

IIRC, it also serves to direct air through the radiator.

It was decontented from my car by the previous owner.

Suckage.

1. Above 50mph your car would.
Cool I didnt know that, Ill take it into consideration. (Literally)
2. It's obvious you don't know what I'm talking about here. (BTW - All CAI's have an open air filter!)
Yes I understand the open filter. I thought you were thinking that I just have mine mounted up top in the stock location (Such as your own). The only thing I've seen of Brad's was that little "box shaped" insert thats in the area around the stock location.
I didnt see a reason to do a search on a Heat Sheild, because that wasn't the topic. I just wanted to know if leaving the plastic lining off could harm anything. (Which you've suggested it could)
So I dont see how im bit***ng or being lazy w/ the Search tool. Never even knew Brad had a CAI so why would I search or PM him on something that is off the topic? (And I will check with Brad on that... Thanks for the suggestion)

And about the F1 comment: Im sorry if my sarcasm has upset you enough, to change the tone of this topic that I know someothers might be interested in.

mine was ripped off by a strong headwind while doing approx. 100 mph. haven't replaced it yet, but will because I notice a difference