The purpose is not only for heat but noise also.
If it's not really in bad shape......I'd leave it...or as long as you have the engine out, you might think about replacing it with "new"
The heat from a engine can warm up the inside of your car pretty good.
Good Luck,
Michael
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88GT/Auto/Beechwood Leather/Sun Roof/ Wing/Sub-Woofer/w-EQ/225/45/17 Michelin Pilots/All Opts Ex.T-Tops-Mores Pix //www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/031475.html
[This message has been edited by 2000RagTop (edited 11-01-2003).]