That self destructing is the real reason I am thinking of doing it. The extra space and less noise is just a bonus. Did you follow a thread or instructions when you did yours? Mind linking it here? ( I found a bunch, but just wondering if you liked one over another)
Have you seen any issues come up since you did yours? Running hot or anything?
I'm in PA, but only drive in the summer really, but I have heard guys in MUCH hotter climates doing this fan delete to their AUTO's with no problems, so I think I would be fine here in PA.
If I do the fan delete I'll probably use my original AUX fan and just get the proper new shroud (17117511168) for like $70 rather than getting a whole new Behr fan for $230.