Secondary Air Pump Delete

[Henn28]

I know this topic has been hashed out many times on many forums, but I've got a quick question regarding the vacuum tube running tot he top of the check valve, from the vacuum control valve. I plan to delete the system in my swap and just want to make sure I understand it correctly.

Since I'm starting with a clean sheet basically I've got the luxury of deleting this system and saving myself the future headaches that will certainly be forthcoming with a 20 year old pump, lines, valves, etc. I need an DME tune anyway for my 4.4 DME to fully dance with the 4.6 motor I'm installing, and based on my conversations with a couple of the most recommended tuners, the EC pump is an easy delete for them to completely wipe from the DME...no codes or SES lights. Coupled with the fact that Louisiana doesn't emissions test the above makes for an easy sell to simplify the motor and preclude, in some small way, future problems.

I think the small tube simply pulls the vacuum needed to operate the valve and allow the pump to push air into the tube running into each head, and stop any backpressure from getting into the pump. A simple cap at the vacuum control valve port where this vacuum line attaches should be the answer...thoughts?

Alternatively, the "air pump vacuum control" system seems like it has two purposes only: 1) operate the above valve and 2) pull a vacuum at the air intake box...for what purposes I have no idea. Can I delete it all?

My cunning plan for capping the head ports is to chop the secondary air line ends just past the bolt flanges where they bolt onto to the heads and get an expert to weld caps on the ends. Grind the caps down flush, clean them up and then I'll install them with new O-rings and be done with it. They will stick out an inch or so, but the only blank-off plates I've found are not specifically for the M62TU motor and take two bolts, rather than one, as is the profile of the M62TU flanges in the heads that accept the secondary air line.

[Henn28]

Some further digging in realOEM indicates that the vacuum line from the electric valve, which also controls vacuum to the emissions control valve, is labeled as “vacuum control, choke”. Maybe not something to delete I suppose. I can’t figure though why an electronic throttle would need a vacuum assist for a choke function.