Can I remove the backing plates from my hoodscoop (perhaps to use for an intake) and/or hoodvents?
Most modifications to make use of the hoodscoop remove the stock airbox from the intake path, and result in a great deal of low-end power loss for a very small gain in high-end performance. That coupled with the problems of water getting into the filter usually keep people from bothering with trying to use the hood scoop for air intake- it really was designed to feed cool air to a top-mount intercooler, and that is what it does best. Removing the blocking plates will not do any real harm, other than making your engine bay a bit dirty. Alot of people seem to think the plates completely block water off, which they don’t, as they have holes in them for drainage. Plenty of water comes into the engine bay via the radiator and front grill openings besides what hits it from below. There are no worries to removing the vent plates, and in fact there is a benefit in removing hot air from the engine bay. Visceral proof of that is available here. The vents on the RS hood are the same as those used
