You can remove that tube but in view of the total intake duct it will not make a whole lot of difference. Flow from the bypassed air will no longer be directed towards the blower impeller and might have negative effects in off-boost conditions. Removing the bypass valve is also a bad idea no matter what someone has done or says. That bypass valve is used to prevent compressor surge which, while not a problem for the engine mechanically, is damaging to the bearings within the blower. Only way to correctly get rid of it is to go to a blow-through MAF. The fact that that tube inside the coupling directs hot air onto the IAT sensor is more of a concern performance wise. I moved mine to the vicinity of the air filter before having it moved to in front of the TB when I had my truck tuned.