Am aware this was asked 2 years ago...
YES.
1. You need the Air Filter to prevent damage to engine. The rubber intake hose connects to the Air Filter housing.
2. The vehicle will NOT run; without the rubber air intake; due to the MAF (mass airflow meter) at the air filter box. It sends critical data to the computer about volume of air flow, temperature, etc. Without this information; the computer will not allow fuel flow (shuts the pump off); and the vehicle will not run.
Jan 29, 2013 at 4:05 PM