What Dog said ideally you want it touching for the vibration potential. Tho many have lasted fine being suspended. If already together I would let it be & if not buttoned up yet I would want it supported. On the stock car I drilled some holes around the perimeter of the pickup & used mini nuts/bolts to give support via contact with the pan but more for making sure the flat pickup screen ain't closer than 1/4" on my high rpm app. Unless you will be turning high RPM's/eng with hi vol pump/enlarged oiling passages then the OE screen/offset partial flat metal design will be fine as far as flow. Support it if you are in that position to change it otherwise if suspended likely you'll be OK