I have a 89 gxl rx7 and im currently putting a header and full exhaust on, ive read that the intake relies on an actuator activated by exhaust pressure but this shouldnt apply to my car.

My question is can i completely remove this return line?

Hub Photo by RigoAk | Photobucket

 

heres an actual image of the line in question

 

you got an 89...no.do not need it.

 

My original posting could have been worded a touch better but your reply was already stated in my post. I'm more curious to what that return line does and what to do with the now disconnected black rubber hose stemming from the intake. Is it just emissions related and be left open to atmosphere?

 

cools the cat.you got no cat.
See where that Bell shaped thing is?
I would cut the steel pipe just below that and seal it with a small piece of rubber hose and a bolt and clamp.
That way if you put the line back on you just join it to the rubber hose again.
I did my 86 N/A that way as it had a extra little nipple on that pipe for the Aux ports.
But yours is an 89,so just to be safe I would keep that little check valve bell shaped thing.

 

No you cannot leave it open because you will have a vacuum leak,as for the cat and pipe the pipe is call a split air pipe and it is use for emissions some people use it because It helps by diluting air in the exhaust system which helps a lot and with your car being an 89 you will need it for emissions.My car was a 91 GXL with a header when I bought it and it ran fine with this same setup with an aftermarket catback and header so in other words is if you do not have to smog test your car you can take it of or do your test first and take it of after.

 

I don't have any emissions so my best route would be to plug the hose with a bolt and hose clamp then, correct?

Replies have been great so far, the info is greatly appreciated.

 

best route would be to cut it close to cat then weld it shut