florida Al

I installed a new air filter and I saw the deflector above the radiator it looks like it pulls air from above motor that air is hot. The air from front is colder so I toke it off and car seems to run better even when its hot out I live in florida so most times its hot. I am carefull when it rains and replace if there is a storm it just lays there no screws to hold it very easy to replace. Has any one remove deflector and feel better pickup?
I have stock 2007 with K&N air filter thats it