Wondering if this is an important part? It runs off the main piping that goes from the throttle body to the airbox. To me it seems pretty pointless but I'm Ford put it there for some reason...Anyone know?

its some sort of resonance chamber, (commonly referred to as the intake sausage) but funnily enough i believe they dont run as well with it removed.

its only there to cut down on intake noise, most people take them off, wont really make a difference in performance either way....