Can I cap the top of the AIR tube collector? Hook it up for E-check and then cap it for engine bay cleanliness. I figured since there is no change in air pressure then the exhaust would bypass the AIR tubes and act as if they are not there?

 

That's what I did for 2 years - after the e-test in Nov 2001, I pulled it apart for the mods. I was too lazy to find the parts needed for the A.I.R. (check valves were shot, and the A.I.R. points to the rear on the driver's side of the 2055's, rather than to the front like stock). When I needed to do the e-thing in Nov 2003, I finally got it back together.

There's a sticky at the top of this forum that says the ECM assumes the A.I.R. is there. But, that's for TPI systems, I haven't figured out if that applies to CC carb as well.

If you do cap it off, I'd suggest removing the check valves and capping off the fitting, rather than capping the check valves.