I'm trying to take off the stock air filter on my 84 244 do as it is broken. I there is a corrugated pipe from the air filter to the exhaust pipe. What is this for? Do I need it or can I take it off?

Pipe going into the exhaust.

Pipe coming out of the air filter.

 

Sure, you can take it off! It's a preheater hose, does little, but in California the car won't pass a smog test visually.

 

When the air box thermostat (in the air filter housing) that controls when hot air is sucked into the engine goes bad, it allows hot air all the time - which is not a good thing for your air mass meter. (I live in the south) So If you don't need it to pass an e test - (or you live in a cold climate) take it off/take the flap out of the air filter and block off the lower connection with a piece of crushed/clamped off hose.

In answer to your question - it's there to preheat the intake air - maybe to prevent icing. (moisture in the air freezes when sucked into the engine)