Hey Ya'll, I'm working on my 2000 Maxima..."again" It's been a project, and I've only been able to work on it during more favorable weather. I have a couple questions, where everything mounts onto the intake, there's a piece of Black painted
metal RE: steel with a half funnel type piece that goes on "before anything else." It enters the intake hole. It has a separated
fork at the end that runs into the intake.... My questions are,
#1) What the heck is it?
#2) Is it necessary for some reason?
#3) Might it be better to leave it off, remove it?
As I wrote above about "favorable weather." I also had to wait for gaskets so, I actually forgot what the sequence is for the gaskets being sandwiched between everything. DUH! Any help! Would be appreciated! I did look for a schematic but I can't seem to find one for a 2000~2003. Thanks!(In advance) If your able to help!

Dadeuce

 

This has been discussed multiple times on here . But as for me i throw it away ,and widen the IM slightly with a drum sander. If you notice it's much smaller then the TB.

It's on 00-01 Maxima and i30. Nobody knows what it is for.