What is that black strip of plastic under the engine? Its only held on by a few small bolts and every time I pull into my driveway or speed bump it makes a scrapping noise as I hit it? Does this do anything or can I just remove it?

I hope you're not talking about the air dam?????? Up front in the middle?

Thats your front air dam. It helps with keeping debris from entering the radiator cavity ,and the engine compartment. It also is a form of areodynamics for your car.At high speeds it will help keep the nose of the car from lifting.It has springs to help deaden the blow from scraping on the road.But eventually it will need to be replaced if it takes to much abuse.

It's also the main and amost only source of fresh air to your engine!

Some guys have run without it, but only in town stuff. Keep it on!!!!!!!

I was tempted to remove mine little while back after continuous scrapping in driveway. Someone had told me its importance so I kept it on!