I am getting all the parts assembled and I was trying to figure out if the factory plastic grill has to be removed to clear the intercooler on a AP1. I would prefer to keep it if at all possible. The manual did not reference it but that does not mean it is not needed.

 

you can leave it the grates in the front on the AP1 mine are still in

 

Sweet, I know alot of people take them out but I prefer the stock look and protection.

 

All you need to do is trim it a little. The manual explains this towards the end.

 

I recommend you take it out. You will need to trim it if you don't. Order some good perforated sheetmetal (with 80% flow) and cover it up. The stock black plastic offers no protection for the intercooler.

If you don't care about protection, it looks 100 times better without it.

 

I like my grill. At a glance it looks like an a/c condensor. The grill does make it harder to get bugs out though.