So, Why Do We Need EAGLE And ASTM, Anyway?

That is not universally true. Their website (if you read it carefully; they don’t exactly make it obvious at first glance) even says that some alterations may be required. In the case of the PA28s, it requires new fuel pumps if I recall correctly. There are also some other caveats to be aware of too, so it’s not “just a piece of paper”.