i was wondering how important it is to have the intake air temperature sensor connected. would i be able to run my car with out it and not have the engine light come on? the car is a 1996 3.8l.

 

It's a needed sensor, which is why it's there.
IAT=Intake Air Temperature. It senses the resistance of the incoming air, and the resistance decreases as the incoming air temp increases. The IAT sends a signal to the PCM which adjusts the fuel/mix accordingly. Carbureted cars have a choke to adjust the air/fuel richness in relation to engine temp. Injection engines have an IAT, among other sensors. Without it, your fuel mix will be messed up.
Why did you want to remove it anyway?

 

sadly i thought thats what it did and i needed it. i was hoping i would be able to put a cone filter straight to my throttle body but i guess i'll have to go with a cold air kit instead.

 

cold air kit is better than the hot air kit you had in mind

 

Who makes the best cold air kit for the V6 engines?

 

Ebay is probably your best budget CAI.

 

It's a very imperative sensor for your car, ebay does sell these things but comes with a very hefty price tag explore other vendors.
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From what I remember the IAT sensor isn't exactly critical during normal operating conditions.
The IAT's main function is to act as a backup temp sensor in case the coolant temp sensor croaks. Then the IAT sensor is *the* sensor for determining open loop fuel mixture.
Still, you don't want to disconnect it and doing so *will* cause the Check Engine lamp to turn on.