Smog or no smog, that is the question...

Ive been reading up on a few things about my 88 but have been getting mixed feedback on possibilities. Hopefully one or some of you seasoned 88-98 Chevy GMC owners can straighten me out.
I have a newly rebuilt 5.7L 4x4 k1500, with an A.I.R and my AEM cold air intake doesn't have a fitting for the AIR pump exit, so I'm waiting on a coin toss to remove the AIR, or leave it and plumb the tube that went to the stock air filter housing into the cold air heat shield. Its just venting into the engine compartment now doing nothing (but making noise). Also if I remove the AIR, is it going to play havoc with the computer as it has electrical plugs going to it and how does the belt route if its gone? I have no qualms about keeping it as I'm sure its not going to free up that much power, but someday I'm investing in the long tube headers and I'll be up against ordering ones for the AIR or not.
For those that are gearing up to flame me on emission controls and laws, there are none here...yet. Ive checked, and the only reason this rig has a smog pump is because it was bought in Cali. Ive been told that IF we ever get mandatory emission checks my rig would be to old to need it, I argued that since it was emission controlled, wouldn't it have to be included and the answer I get is no. So anyhow if any of you guys have done either of what I'm asking please lock me on.
BTW here are a few things Ive done and absolutely love the results.

AEM brute force cold air intake.
MSD ignition. .55 on plugs
204-214 cam.
15k on rebuild and I wasn't too impressed with the power, after I installed the parts above it pulls my 5th wheel WAY better and I get 2 MPG more in town with no load.
VMX  

Never mind guy's, I found my answer. AEM said to keep the pump installed to minimize problems and rout the exit air tube to the heat shield box and clip it in using the factory hardware out of the OEM air cleaner housing. Looks good and gives the filter more air and best of all I don't hear the whoot whoot whoot of the A.I.R. pump at idle.
Take care.  

Sweet, glad you got that taken care of! And thanks for letting us know what the solution is!  
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Long Travel 4 Wheel Drive - The Best of Both Worlds!

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haha my smog pump was the first thing to come off and i live in cali

*** the state and the dumb animal activist  
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