Ok - I pulled the charcoal filters successfully. I gotta say, I think the car feels slightly sharper. Or maybe it's just a placebo.
I do have the block off plates and i was a week 34 build (August 22, 2012).
One last thing...that #7 screw is a
BIATCH!! 
I had to concoct this jewel of a tool...full on MacGuyver style.