EGR Solenoid

[mrpink]

Gentlemen, I have a 5.0 in a Cobra kit car. I got the engine from a wrecked Stang and in the process of installing it, I have left something out. It has the Cobra intake. The block of metal between the EGR and intake has turned blue from excessive heat. The intake has even changed color in that area. I mistakingly had the vacuum line hooked directly to the EGR making it open all the time. It did not go throught the solenoid. I have disconnected the vacuum and blocked it off leaving the EGR attached. Questions:
Do I need to ever hook it up?
Any detrimental effects if I don't hook it up, short or long term? When is an instance that the computer would tell the EGR to open?
I can easily get a solenoid and put it in the line, but I don't know if I still have the electrical connection for it.
And lastly, does anyone have a pic. of the sol. so I can see if I have it laying around. Thanks a lot,
Jim