Is there any particular benefit or downside to removing the evap canister? Other than a code? If removed then just plug all the lines?

 

There is no benefit besides it not being there anymore, and one less place for a vacuum leak.

You need to vent the tank, so don't close it all off. Instead of dumping fumes into the air, the EVAP can stores it and dumps it back into the intake, maintaining a certain pressure AND keeping gas fumes from escaping into the atmosphere all in one go.

Newer cars are very sensitive to the EVAP system, and tend to run rich or lean when it is removed or leaking, the O2's can usually tell when it's gone.

Older cars like these rarely have problems when you remove them, the computer just doesn't "see" enough info to tell whether it's there or not most of the time. BUT, you may get issues with having a gassy smell, or the tank not venting properly which could POSSIBLY affect fuel delivery (highly doubt it) with the loss of constant pressure.

I truthfully can't answer your question exactly because I haven't removed one on these cars. Just the fact that they keep it from smelling like gas is enough for me to always keep them in place. I doubt very much that it will pose a problem beyond a gassy smell and a lot of pressure in your tank.

 

I may not remove it but will certainly at least move it back onto the firewall where the a/c and blower were. I have two years before another smog test so don't know what shape the car will be in by then. I have big plans. But small money.

 

We all do, lol