Some people have fabricated replacement EGR tubes from copper tubing, reusing the original flare retainer nuts from the original one.
You can also potentially reuse the original one, it's stainless steel and can be tig welded.
EGR improves throttle response and reduces fuel consumption at part throttle by keeping dynamic compression ratio more consistent and prolongs the life of exhaust valve guide seals and oxygen sensors by keeping combustion temperature more consistent. It's never active under heavy throttle and can never cost horsepower, it happens to also reduce CO and NOx production for healthier air so it's a win for everybody whether they care about air quality or not.
There were 2 questions...
1. The support brace no longer fits due to headers - I answered that one per my experience / factual info.
2. EGR tube replacement / repair - I did not answer that one because I have no experience with EGR repair. I did did give a satirical response in fun.
Here is what I know to be true concerning comments about EGR:
1. False - EGR does not improve throttle response:
Quite the contrary in fact. Two things impact throttle response on a cable actuated throttle: 1. Lean(er) air fuel mixture 2. Increased power production, which leads to #2.
2. True - EGR of course reduces fuel consumption:
This is due to oxigen is replaced with nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). The less parts oxigen, the less parts fuel, the less power produced in combustion. This is easily shown in engine management fueling tables. This is why vehicles must be retuned if removing EGR. If they are not retuned, they will run extremely lean during EGR duty cycle.
3. False - EGR does not keep dynamic compression more consistent:
Consistency would connotate "stays the same". EGR reduces dynamic compression due to the impact of less oxigen consumed during the intake stroke, as outlined in #2. It does not stay the same because dynamic compression would in fact increase when the EGR valve is closed.
4. False - EGR most definitely does not prolong the life of exhaust valve guide seals, oxygen sensors, etc.:
This is primarily due to the increased carbon buildup / particulate matter caused by recirculating exhaust gases, which will accompany the already prevalent combustion byproducts which is deposited in the oil and is suspended / partially removed in filtration. This obviously leads to wear on components like piston rings, liners, and valves.
5. True - EGR definitely improves air quality:
This is due to the aformetioned continual recycling of the aformentioned nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).
I'm not knocking those who choose to run / are pro environment / must run due to laws, but wish to be accurate and factual regarding pros / cons.