Hot Rods SBC TPI question - Why is there a third heater hose going into my TPI manifold?

A question for the Chevrolet TPI experts out there...

On my 47 Plymouth (with 1986 Corvette TPI engine), I have a small hose (3/8" maybe) that comes off of one of my regular heater hoses through a T-fitting and feeds into the rear of the TPI manifold, near the distributor.

The other typical SBC heater hose connections are present and accounted for (i.e. one to the water pump and one to the front of the intake manifold).

What is the purpose of this auxiliary heater hose?

Can I remove it without sacrificing any performance?

Thanks.

 

Quite a few 'early' injected motors had coolant around or near the throttle body. Helped them pass emissions by heating up the air. Tuners would disconnect the water hoses and re-tune the computers.

 

That doesn't feed the intake manifold. It permits hot water to escape the manifold and permit better cooling on the rear cylinders.

You can see the hose on my engine coming across the valve cover.

Rich

 

It is designed for cold weather operation as the throttle will actually ice up or have a white frost on it when the temps get below freezing !