i have a 1988 rx7 and i was just wondering
what is the charcoal canister for? and do i really need it?

 

It is part of the "crankcase" ventilation system, which keeps gunk from building up in the oil filler tube, etc... Leave it there.

 

It is part of the evaporative emissions control system. It sends vapors produced in the gas tank into the combustion chambers to be burnt off so they don't just vent into the atmosphere releasing unwanted hydrocarbons. Just leave it on... it is also part of the visual and now (95 and older) functional portion of a smog check here in CA.

 

ok thank you both very much