I know exactly what piece you are talking about as of today. I put one of the new deflectors on Brian's 2000 GTP today and it also had the plastic piece you are describing. My 2002 did not have it, so that's why it's not in the write-up. Not sure exactly what that piece is for but it hooks onto the air intake itself. In my opinion, if your car was leaking water, having that piece would only make it worse by funnelling the water into the blower intake opening. We removed his and discarded it since this new piece pretty much replaces it as well. And like I said, my '02 didn't have it so I can only assume GM stopped using it for a reason, but who knows what.
I blasted directly under my cowl at the car wash yesterday at high pressure and not a single drop found it's way to the inside. Blasting it like that with the rubber bulb style deflector would have just blown water right in between it and the cowl.
Glad you are satisfied with it. Let me know how it works out on the Impala.
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