I put the flap gap seals back on my 172,used the knots to you units this time because they are easy to take off and put on once the brackets are installed.
Observations:
1- take off roll and lift off distance did not change
2- climb out was back to 850'/min
3- cruise is 6mph faster
4- landing precision is back to what i want
I am happy again

Hotrod, you asked for me to explain precision. For me precision is being able to make the wheels touch the ground within 12" of where i want every time. When i had the original flap gap seals i had no problem doing that. When i removed the flap gap seals i found that my landings had to be total power off and if i was a little high there was no pulling back on the throttle to fix it. Now with the flap gap seals re-installed it requires more throttle to achieve my glide slope and if i am a little high i just pull back the throttle and i am back on target. I suspect that with the flap gap seals installed and the flaps at 40* there is more drag than when the gap seals are not installed.

UPDATE! I flew the aircraft Last Sunday. Landing approaches at 55mph indicated seem to need less power, Feels better in flare out, land less nose heavy(feels more 172ish), does not "drop out suddenly and slam dunk". Only able to do a couple of touch and goes. I did not have much time to fly as I had to ride right seat on a P. Ponk conversion engine I did on a 180. Will start another thread on the P. Ponk. The gap seals are already in the dumpster. Am flying next Sat-Tuesday (20-30 flights) will update next week with more info on the 182.

I have to put gap seals back on. IA did not like the holes. I understand. Only a year and a half to go to get my IA. I wish I could go back in time and punch the assholes that put these things on. I have had 200 flights this year, and may make hours 600TT (for 12 years of flying). I have about 2000+ landings and take offs in glider tugs. I love to fly.

I'm confused...IA did not like rivet holes that were left from the gap seals that got removed? Couldn't some pop rivets be used to seal the holes??? Seriously, not trying to offend, I just don't get it...If the performance was better without the gap seals, seems like it would be a shame to re-install, especially after all the trouble you went through to remove them?

I am also confused. When they took my flap gap seals off my plane they used pop rivets to fill the holes where the small brackets attached to the wing pocket. The stuctural rivets in the rear spar definatly had to be replaced with big structural ones.