No idea what these are for???

[Collieguy]

On the front top of the metal air cleaner housing on my 1992 there are three 1"x3" felt strips. What the heck are these for? There's a pic of the housing and strips on the Eckler's website(item#30758). If I remove them to repaint the air cleaner housing to match the exterior color of the car(dark red metallic, sweet!), how much HP you think I'll lose(tic)??? Seriously, for the life of me I just can't surmise what these are there for. Please enlighten the ignorant O' forum of knowledge!

 

[Rabbit]

They appear to be "anti-rub" strips. The front of the aircleaner housing rests nose down in the receiver portion & the strips protect them from rubbing. Only thing I can think of.