EGR: Is it really necessary?

A brief history: My 91 22RE motor broke a timing guide last year and subsequently bent my intake valves (why the piston tops were relieved only on the exhaust side is beyond me). So since I had the head off I went ahead and replaced the rod bearings and rings, rebuilt the head, and did a quick port / polish job on the head & intake manifold.
I know that the EGR valve helps reduce detonantion in some cases, so I was wondering if it is better to simply restrict the port on the Intake manifold, or just block it off and eliminate it altogether?

well is it better... NO. Your vehicle will produce nitrogen Dioxide, which is bad and creates smog. just buy an egr valve and replace it. Dont run without one. that is the reason why the egr valve was put in engines, to reduce nitrogen oxide.