I was just wondering about the charcoal cannister that is behind the drivers side headlight. Isn't that part of the EGR syetem? I've heard of some people taking theirs out. Is their any pros or advantages to doing that? Or I guess more importantly are there any cons to doing that?

The EGR system recirculates the EXHAUST gases, while this EECS recirculates fuel tank vapors.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:
Actually it is part of the Evaporative Emission Control System (EECS). It'* purpose is to transfer fuel vapors from the fuel tank to an activated carbon storage canister. this retains the fuel vapors when the vehicle is not operating. When the engine is running, the fuel vapor is purged from the carbon element by intake air flow and consumed in the normal combustion process.

VAPOR CANISTER:
Gasoline vapors from the fuel tank flow into the tube labeled "TANK". These vapors are absorbed into the carbon. The canister is purged when the engine is warm and running above idle speed. Ambient air is allowed into the canister through the filter at the bottom. The air mixes with the vapor and is drawn into the intake manifold to be burned.

EVAPORATIVE CONTROL:
The PCM operates a normally closed solinoid valve, which controls vacuum to the purge passage in the charcoal canister. Normally the solinoid is turned "OFF", preventing canister purge. The PCM completes the circuit to ground, turning the solinoid "ON" when the following conditions exist:
1. Engine is at normal operating temperature.
2. Engine has been running a specific time.

Does this mean you can't take them off?

it means you would have to be near retarded to take it off
lest you extensivly modify the system to not store the vapors at all, which just sounds like a bad idea

You would have to be crazy to take that off.... lol. . . . . whom ever told you they did that I would say was flat out lying to you or didnt like you and was trying to break your ride. lol be careful man dont believe everyones crap

If you notice the Thrasher CAI sold on the Grandprixstore, they RELOCATE the cansiter to make the CAI fit. Never remove it.

old post i know but yes you can remove it , the original one got broke in a wreck so i removed it vented the tube outside the engine bay and used a 50ohm 10 watt resistor to keep from tripping the ses light. No advantages though

Mines gone... but theres not much left under my hood except motor anyway. At least you know it wont blow up or anything

can a bad canister or full canister or faulty EECS cause the engine to have a rough idle? My engine gets rough idle ONLY when its cold outside AND engine is at operating temp, no other times.

a) yes it can be removed but if you haven't heard the joke about the monkey, the goat, and the cork, if you plug the tank line, you will.

The cannister replaced the gas tank vent to prevent evaporative emissions that result when an 18 gallon tank that was cold, heats up. By feeding it to the intake it prevents the escape of aeromatic hydrocarbons. Has no effect on the engine and doesn't add much weight so if working you might as well leave it in place.