our screens might be different, mine is pretty fine honeycomb mesh, there isnt much to restrict.

I felt it when I pulled mine. Not a huge difference, but it was there. I really noticed the difference when I put it back for a while. She lost a bit of "oomph"

It may be more noticeable with a modified intake. I have the standard airbox, but removed both resonators, and opened the front up to about 4x4....

I have a hard time feeling anything small anyways. As long as everything stays normal, then it will remain out.

I pulled mine out to clean the throttle body on my 93 and 99. They were both the fine mesh. I didn't leave either out.

But I found the best way to get that snap ring off is with a dentist'* pick. They sell them at the local hardware store for $1.00 each and they've got the perfect "curly q" on the tip to get in the hole and pull the ring out of its seat.

You dont want to pull it unless you have very laminar air flow which would most likely come from some sort of aftermarket air intake as the stock one will have a lot of bumpy air. Even with smooth air somtimes having it out is not good (as was my case).