Is the hood insulator really necessary? now im talking about the vents that have a direction facing the exhaust manifold not the grille like cover that covers the hole on the hood.

I have seen a few evos with them and a few without them

 

thats not insulator that is to create more of a convection as the air passes through the front and out the vents, also has a little rain gutter on the sides, but Mitsu put it there for a reason

 

Are you talking about the rain guard or the cushiony insulator that lines the hood?

 

Haven't had one in 6 years or so.

Non issue