Hello,
It seems I've seen posts on here before about people removing their AIV system and it doesn't hurt the performance of the truck, but I cannot seem to find anything at the moment. I'm replacing the downpipe that connects to the exhaust manifold, and I would like to remove the AIV system (that connects to that downpipe) if at all possible. Could somebody chime in with their experience on doing so? Any negative effects? I hate to weld up that hole in my downpipe, only to have to hook the system back up if it doesn't work out. Thanks in advance!!

When I bout my 86.5 HB a few years ago, the cat was already gutted and the AIV system was shot. (I have the Z24i engine.)
Piece by piece, I removed all of it, including the associated vacuum lines and fittings. I eventually removed the EGR valve and made a plate and gasket to seal the manifold opening.

Here in Mississippi, smog laws are not currently enforced, so I get away with it.

The truck has always gotten 18 mpg, no matter what I have done to it. I added a header as well. I do have an O2 sensor in the header, of course.

I also still have the AB valve on the intake manifold because it still works. The charcoal canister still handles the fuel tank vapors, too.

You would be shocked at how much you can remove when you start pulling all that stuff. If emissions are not a problem for you, and the AIV system is shot, I say go for it. It would cost a fortune to overhaul that system because it is all dealer parts.

ive gotten rid of AIv systems before, theres no side effects.

on my 87 v6i got rid of all the egr, cat, charcoal canister, i just let the fuel tank go open and the two other vacume lines i blocked off.

i donot think the 1987 have a avi on them, if they do id duce it out asap

Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and weld that bung up.