Well you know the engine cover pieces that are made of plastic and hang below the Radiator, and near the front wheels.

Are these pieces really needed for anything special?

Just asking because my center piece is all torn-up & I can barely put it on my 92 Civic. I also have a piece on the driver's side(goes around the wheel area as well) that's kinda hanging & I'm thinking of just cutting the hanging part.

These plastic pieces ain't really that important are they? Or are they just used for design & look?

 

The engine bay splash shield keeps the bay cleanish. Mine has been gone since I've had the car. The inner fender liners are good to have so your body and frame don't get rusty. I'd keep or fix them if you can.

 

The thing about removing the fender liners is that once you do, you can see the backside of the bumper, which is really ugly. I like how with the liners, the wheel well just looks like a black hole and you don't see all the ugliness. But if you don't care then it doesn't really matter.

 

They help to keep the engine compartment clean. They block some of the visibility into there, which makes it look better.
And also, and perhaps most importantly, they stop road debris, rocks, pieces of metal, or anything else laying in the road that might flop up into that area and cause damage.
If you cannot get some good ones from the junkyard, you might try a dismantler, where they sell parts off wrecked cars. Or new, but the price will be high.
They are also good for the aerodynamics of your car. Without them, you will get worse gas mileage, but only slightly, and thus not noticeable.
They may also cause greater cooling of the engine, and it was designed to run at exactly the temperature with those on there.
So.
dc