i was working on all the plastic peices on the front end of my 86 tpi. in the air intake, there were some dumb looking curved peices in front of the air filter, presumably to slow down the air coming in. now there is the opening on the sides that allows the air in at a more direct angle. my question is, would it be ill advised to cut out the bottom part of the air filter area?

 

These four curved pieces of plastic can be removed, done that many years ago. They were designed to prevent water from getting into the air filters. Just be careful in wet weather conditions.

 

thats what i was thinking they were for. whats your take on cutting out the rest of the plastic in there?

 

I wouldm't do anything elss. The restriction is not the air intake but the MAF sensor is the limiting factor. Nothing you can do with the stock MAF ( do not mess with it) I have a Wells Maf that flows more air 750 vs 450 cfs. but that MAF is no longer in production. That is the TPI system limitations.