Cold start issues

[98GTW]

Changing the ignition components (points, cap, rotor, plugs) and setting the timing got the warm start and warm operation up to acceptable performance. I'm still trying to track down the cold-start problems.
Going after the simple first, looking at connections (electrical and vacuum), that sort of thing.
One thing caught my eye - there'a a plastic canister above the oil filter that's not connected to very much. It's about 8" long and 4" high with a rounded rectangular profile. There's a fitting on each end for a large (1/2"?) hose with nothing connected, and one on the far end (toward front of car) for a vacuum-sized hose (the line connected there disappears forward of the injection system.) A pair of hoses that would probably reach the canister are joined by a short piece of metal pipe and just lying on the engine shroud.
What is it? Should it be connected? Could it have an impact on the cold start?
Thanks,

------------------
Dave
'77 911S
inari77s@911fanatic.com
Rochester, NY