1303 fuel vapor trap-Do I need it?

[Uber Affe]

Talkin' 'bout the little plastic thingy with the 4 hose connections that sits above the fuel tank in my '74 1303. Do I need it? Can I replace it? I hate it.
Is there something else i can use in its place or some viable (modern) method of dealing with the problem? It is old and every time I've replaced it (with another old one) It ends up being the same thing. Stinks like gas and it just seems like there's no good replacement. What do you guys do?
Just want to keep that whole area clean.

Help!

[volksdragon]

absolutly......not needed

here's a link to getting rid of it. i beleive it was done by superman

http://www.superbeetlesonly.com/forum/index.php?pg=fuel

[Uber Affe]

A little hard to make out the pics though.
I'd gotten rid of the carbon filter under the passenger side rear wheel well as it served no purpose for me and it was actually rubbing against the tire. Upon inspection the hose that had connected to it was corroded and crumbling anyway. That might explain some of the fumes. What is the real purpose of the fuel vapor and how will it affect performance or the engine if it is removed?
It doesn't seem to be of any real use and I've never seen it on any other beetles prior and I believe it was removed on later models? At least I've never seen one on standard bugs..maybe a 1303 only item?
Anyway...I just want to get rid of it so I guess I'll experiment. Just want to see more info from more people. Thanks for the link...It may be exactly what I need.