I'm in the process of putting a new front mount intercooler on my GSX (short story... fell off a jack and crushed the core, stupid mistake). When I pulled the damaged one off I saw that I left the black plastic radiator duct in place between the intercooler and the radiator. It looks like I trimmed a little off the bottom so the intercooler fits, but otherwise it is as the factory installed it. The old intercooler was put in back in 2004, so it's been a while

Question: Should I leave the duct in there or should I take it out while I have the front end all taken apart?

If were you I'd try and save as much of it as possible. As someone that has been fighting heat issues.... I've had to fab all sorts of ducting to help drive air through the radiator after my front mount install. Florida life is not forgiving to poor cooling.

DEFINITELY leave it in there. You'll have much better cooling with it in.

Leave it. I ended up turning mine upside down and reattaching it with screws whlie forming the sides with a heat gun to make about a 2" scoop to grab air with. I just happened to "have" to be under my car for "issues" but this car runs cool all day long.

Thanks for the quick replies, the shroud is staying in there!