In my weight reduction endeavors I gutted the dash as much as I could without ripping out wires. Part of that was two steel pieces that seemed to create a triangulation between the perpendicular (to the trans tunnel) steel tube running the length of the dash to the trans tunnel. The more I look at this the more this seems like a part that would be for my safety in the event of a severe frontal impact. Should I reinstall since I don't have a full cage or is this an unnecessary part? The little appendage there is where the ODB2 port clips in.

 

Naw u don't need them. I removed those brackets a very long time ago. Next or maybe this season I'm removing my dash completely.

 

Looks like you just saved some weight to me

 

I'd leave it. Its an entirely unsupported beam if its removed. In the event of a side impact the Instrument Panel beam will be much less useful.

I'm putting mine back in with the data link holder cut off.