In order to install the AUT cooling plate do you have to cut the hood for it to fit?

 

no

but i recomment taking out that plastic piece just down and under behind the front bumper. i'm not sure what it's called, but there are a couple clip type things holding it there. Others have just left it in but cut out an opening for air to flow through (OEM just has a couple vents). You will also want to remove the metal piece that is underneath the rubber seal at the front of the hood when your standing in front of the car. If you don't do this, your hood will not close correctly and you will probably hit the plate and scratch it.

 

^ I agree. Do what s2kobsession said and thats it... no cutting id required.

 

 

there are 5 screws i believe that you have to take off and then the radiator brackets as well. love the look and no cutting involved. took me approx 5 min to install

 

the black plastic piece behind the front bumper is there for a reason i assume, would taking it off be a bad thing for the car?

 

The stock piece does essentially the same thing as the AUT without the benefit of forced air flow into the intake...
Like obsession said, removing the metal bracket around the front edge will easily allow your hood to close.


PS... Absolutely NO CUTTING!!

 

There's no need to take out the stock air plate, just add the AUT plate on top. Some people will cut a small 4x6" hole in the passenger side of the stock plate, but you want to keep the stock plate in to keep positive air pressure on the radiator - it effects how air moves through the whole engine bay.

 

but then you're only using the plate for looks (granted that's what it's mostly for) but cutting the whole will allow whatever air finds it's way up there to be routed directly to the intake....of course that is minimal and most like works better with the stock airbox....the plastic piece underneath is the radiator cooling plate...so essentially all you're doing is adding a better looking one on top...but if you want it to have the slightest bit of functionality cut the whole....made me feel better about mine at least lol...btw i have mine w/the K&N FIPK...loks great and i'm sure some air does get routed through there

 

as of right now I actually just ripped out the rad cooling plate all together a few k miles and no problems since... car runs at normal temp also.

I will attempt to put it back in though and cut out a 4x6 hole. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have it in there.