has anyone ever removed the above and if so is it easy.
the reason being is i have the mondeo 2.0 zetec e engine and i am fitting the focus manifold so that the CAT is out of the way, the problem is the egr valve pipe wont fit in the focus manifold.

this does seem to suggest that you may get pinking if you leave it off. But if you are simply replacing the injection system then bin it and plug the hole.

linky

i think they did away with the egr on the later engines anyway.