The engines life and it's seals are reduced when you don't recirculate the crankcase vapours.

It in fact DOES help with engine performance.There are benefits in pulling the crank case vapours through the intake that help create a vacuum in the crank case, that is good for ring sealing, and longevity of the engine. There is also the benefit of reducing emmisions released into the atmosphere.

 

Both are true. Venting the crankcase helps keeps pressure from building and blowing out seals along with helping with keeping the rings properly seated during high RPMs. Now venting it through the intake is done to reduce emissions being vented to the atmosphere. Having breathers like you do should not make much of a difference in keeping pressure down to a acceptable level. Just make sure your PVC is allowing pressure out now that it doesn't have a vacuum source to open it. It will also keep 'dirty'/oily air from being recirculated into the intake increasing HP and efficiency, though it will only be a minor unnoticeable increase. Just make sure to hook everything back up if you have to Smog it or you'll fail.

 

No smog testing here in Florida =)
but thanks for the info, pretty helpful.

 

This breather filter isnt on the PCV system, its just on a vent from the valve covers. Tampering with the PCV system will cause a huge vacuum leak. The only mod you can do to the PCV is a catch can without throwing codes or doing major modification.

 

The vent from the crankcase, most certainly is part of the PCV system.

There are two sides to the PCV venting, the side that has the valve, and the fresh air vent or tube.

Under certain conditions the flow can actually reverse, which is why it is important to keep the vent connected to the intake, to provide this reversal of flow and help evacuate the fumes along with helping the rings seal.