heater tube assm.

You might be able to use just a length of heater hose if you wanted, probably wouldnt look the best but who knows. Sent you a PM regarding the tube.

Yes to can completely eliminate the heater tube if you want you’ll just need to relocate the ECT sensor (engine coolant temp) is all.
Where the black tube came out of your old intake buy an adapter/reducer male-female fitting that will screw into that hole and also has the same threading as your ECT sensor with a hole in the center, or tap the thermostat housing/water neck for it.

You’ll probably need to lengthen the wire if you chose to tap the thermostat housing.