Butterfly valve in intake elbow

[FourFun]

What is/was the purpose of this? I installed a cfm+ intake elbow(i know its just for looks) and couldn't figure out why this would be here? In hinsite, im glad i did the elbow because it seems to me its just junk in my intake i didn't need. Any thoughts?

[PGreenSVT]

It was done as part of the egr system to restrict air flow by the amount of exhaust gas being supplied to the engine. Stupid idea, make it go away.

[scha0786]

take that bi*** out! all positive no negative with just removing the plate.