Yes there is a small piece of plastic that goes there. I know you have to remove it for a JMB intake set up (long version). Not sure about other intake set ups.
Was looking at the JMB setup as Vipair does not make a ABS hood anymore but in the interim I would not mind keeping it as it was(cept the local dealer is still using ratty microfiche, so very painful to see stock setup)
makin more sense now, I bought the piece with the tabs but am missing the piece that the tabs mount into as well. Looks like a few plastic pieces were removed before I bought it
I believe I am missing a panel under or just infront of the stock air intake of a 97 GTS. Is there supposed to be a abs panel of some sort that closes out the gap just above where the lines for the hood latches run? guessing this would be between the fascia and the air filter intake opening forcing the pressure behind the fascia through the rad. Have not seen any pics around and other Vipers are rare enuf up north to see another. Is this panel tossed when upgrading intake to a Vipair type hood or equivalent?