EGR/DPF Delete Kit 6.7 Cummins: Complete Buyer's Guide (2007.5–2024)

The 6.7L Cummins runs three major emissions control systems from the factory. Understanding what each one does — and why owners of off-road and competition trucks want them gone — is the starting point for every buying decision.

EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) routes a portion of exhaust gas back into the intake manifold to lower combustion temperatures and reduce NOx output. The problem: that exhaust gas carries soot, heat, and combustion byproducts directly into your intake. Over time, the EGR valve carbons up, the EGR cooler develops internal coolant leaks, and your intake valves and throttle body accumulate thick carbon deposits. EGR cooler failure on the 6.7 Cummins runs $3,000–$5,000 at a dealer.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) captures particulate matter (PM) in the exhaust stream and burns it off through periodic regeneration cycles. On stock 6.7 Cummins trucks, regen events happen every 300–700 miles depending on load and driving cycle. Each regen burns extra fuel, raises EGTs, and accumulates wear. A clogged DPF requires cleaning ($200–$400) or full replacement ($800–$1,200).

DEF/SCR (2013+) — Selective Catalytic Reduction injects Diesel Exhaust Fluid into the exhaust upstream of the SCR catalyst to convert NOx to nitrogen and water. DEF lines and injectors are prone to crystallization, heater failures, and sensor faults that trigger derates.

A proper EGR/DPF delete kit for the 6.7 Cummins ^[124] replaces the DPF assembly with a straight-pipe delete, blocks off the EGR cooler and valve with high-temp plates, reroutes coolant, and bypasses DEF/SCR sensors on applicable years. The Diesel Dudes Technical Team pairs every hardware kit with a matched ECU tune — without the tune, the factory ECM will detect missing sensor signals and put the truck into limp mode.

Here's the deal — the legal framework around diesel deletes is specific, and you need to understand it before touching any emissions hardware.

The Clean Air Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 7522(a)(3)(A), makes it unlawful for any person to remove or render inoperative any device or element of design installed on a motor vehicle in compliance with federal emissions regulations. Subsection (B) prohibits manufacturing, selling, or installing any part whose principal effect is defeating an emissions control system. EPA implementing regulations under 40 CFR Part 86 establish the emissions standards that certified vehicles must meet — and those standards assume functioning EGR, DPF, and SCR hardware.

The EPA actively enforces these provisions. As documented in the Rudy's Performance Parts consent decree ^[2] filed in the Middle District of North Carolina (Case 1:22-cv-00495), the federal government has pursued civil action against sellers of defeat devices and delete kits used on street vehicles. The case resulted in significant penalties and injunctive relief — a clear signal that enforcement is real.

What this means for you: EGR/DPF delete kits are for off-road, competition, and closed-course use only. The Diesel Dudes sells these products for those applications. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. States with OBD-II or visual emissions inspections will fail a deleted truck. Manufacturer warranty claims related to emissions, engine, or powertrain systems may be denied after tampering is detected.

If your truck operates on public roads, research your state's specific regulations before modifying any emissions equipment.

Getting the right delete kit starts with knowing exactly what emissions hardware your specific truck carries. Here's the breakdown by generation — and what kit approach each one requires.

The 2013+ trucks with DEF/SCR represent a meaningfully more complex delete job. The SCR catalyst, DEF injector, NOx sensors, and associated wiring all need to be addressed by the tune and, on some years, require bypass harness adapters. The Tuner Harness Plug Kit for Dodge Cummins 6.7L 2007–2024 by Shibby Engineering ^[118] handles the sensor plug side cleanly on applicable years.

Never run a generic, non-year-specific kit on a 2019+ truck. The fifth-gen Cummins has additional ECU monitoring logic that requires a tune written specifically for that model year's calibration — a mismatched tune will leave you chasing DTCs.

Not all delete kits are created equal. Here's what a properly engineered 6.7 Cummins EGR/DPF delete kit should include — and what each component does.

What's Included in the Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle

• DPF/CAT Delete Pipe — 4" mandrel-bent straight pipe that bolts in place of the factory DPF and DOC assembly ^[38]. Available in 4" or 5" diameter depending on your exhaust configuration and power goals.
• EGR Block-Off Plates — High-temp steel plates seal the exhaust manifold port and intake crossover port where the EGR cooler connects ^[56]. Includes all required gaskets and hardware.
• EGR Cooler Coolant Reroute — Eliminates the EGR cooler from the coolant circuit entirely, preventing the #1 cause of coolant contamination on the 6.7 Cummins.
• DEF/SCR System Bypass (2013+ trucks) — Electrical plugs, sensor bypasses, or harness adapters to prevent the ECU from faulting on missing DEF injector and NOx sensor signals.
• Delete Tuner — EZ Lynk AutoAgent 3 ^[66], EFI Live AutoCal V3 ^[50], or RaceMe Ultra ^[103] with a preloaded or custom delete calibration. This is the single most important component in the kit.
• Optional Add-Ons — Throttle Valve Delete ^[117] eliminates the factory throttle plate that accumulates carbon; CCV Delete ^[32] reroutes crankcase vapors away from the intake; Grid Heater Delete ^[95] improves cold-air flow on 2007.5–2024 trucks.

The Diesel Dudes bundles all required hardware in year-specific configurations — every pipe, plate, gasket, and tuner is matched to your exact truck. Buying piecemeal from multiple vendors risks mismatched flanges, incorrect pipe lengths, and tuning that wasn't calibrated for your hardware combination.

Disclosure: The Diesel Dudes sells some of the products mentioned in this article. Our recommendations are based on hands-on testing and customer feedback.

Let's get into the numbers. These figures come from The Diesel Dudes Technical Team's experience across thousands of 6.7 Cummins builds — framed for off-road and competition applications where emissions hardware is legally removed.

Power & Throttle Response
Removing the DPF eliminates 15–25 PSI of exhaust backpressure that was strangling turbo spool and restricting exhaust flow. The EGR delete stops soot-laden gas from flooding the intake and reducing volumetric efficiency. Combined with a delete tune that optimizes fueling, injection timing, and boost targets, the result is 60–120 HP and 150–200 lb-ft of torque on a stock-bottom-engine 6.7 Cummins. Built motors pushing aggressive tunes see 150–250 HP gains. Throttle response tightens noticeably — the turbo spools earlier and the power curve flattens out at mid-range RPM where the DPF restriction was worst.

Fuel Economy
According to The Diesel Dudes Technical Team ^[124], owners consistently report 2–4 MPG improvement after a full delete and tune. Two factors drive this: first, the tune optimizes injection timing and eliminates the enrichment cycles associated with DPF regen — those 300–700 mile regen events each burn several hundred milliliters of extra diesel. Second, eliminating DEF fluid consumption removes an ongoing operating cost of $0.08–$0.12 per mile on high-mileage towing applications.

EGT Reduction
With EGR removed, the intake charge runs cooler — combustion temperatures drop, and under-load EGTs fall by 200–300°F compared to stock. Lower EGTs reduce thermal stress on pistons, valves, and the turbo turbine wheel. On trucks that were already running hot from a partially-clogged DPF, the improvement is often even more dramatic.

Long-Term Reliability
The Diesel Dudes estimate up to $8,000–$12,000 in avoided emissions-related repairs over 200,000 miles on a 6.7 Cummins used in off-road competition — eliminating EGR cooler failures, DPF cleaning/replacement intervals, DEF system crystallization events, and associated sensor replacements.

Honest advice from a shop that's seen both good and bad outcomes: the biggest risk isn't the delete itself — it's doing it wrong or doing it on a truck that needs to pass inspections.

Legal & Regulatory Risk
As covered in the legal section, 42 U.S.C. § 7522(a)(3) prohibits tampering with emissions equipment on street-driven vehicles. The EPA consent decree against Rudy's Performance Parts ^[2] confirms that enforcement actions carry real financial penalties. Any truck operating on public roads must maintain its certified emissions configuration. States with OBD-II smog checks — including California, New York, and others — will fail a deleted truck outright.

Warranty & Dealer Service
Cummins and Ram dealers can — and routinely do — deny powertrain warranty claims when modifications are detected. Even unrelated repairs may be refused at dealerships if the truck's tune or hardware has been altered. This is a real consideration on trucks still under factory coverage.

Environmental Impact
Removing EGR, DPF, and SCR increases NOx and particulate matter output relative to the certified configuration. This is why off-road and competition use framing is non-negotiable — these systems serve a purpose in managing air quality on public roads.

The Problem with Cheap, Incomplete Kits
Here's where The Diesel Dudes see the most avoidable failures. Generic pipes that don't account for your specific wheelbase, bed length, or cab configuration leave you cutting, welding, and chasing exhaust leaks. Tunes that weren't written for your hardware combination leave persistent DTCs. Kits that skip the DEF bypass on a 2013+ truck trigger immediate derates. A complete, year-matched kit from a specialist costs more upfront — but eliminates every one of those downstream headaches. The 2013–2018 bundle ^[107] and the 2019–2021 bundle ^[108] are engineered to address every sensor and wiring requirement for those generations specifically.

Tuning is not an accessory — it's the foundational component of any EGR/DPF delete kit. Here's exactly what happens at the ECM level and why three specific platforms dominate 6.7 Cummins delete builds.

What the Stock ECM Is Monitoring
The factory calibration on a 6.7 Cummins tracks DPF differential pressure (a sensor upstream and downstream of the filter), EGR valve position and mass flow, exhaust gas temperatures at multiple points, and on 2013+ trucks, DEF injection rate and NOx sensor conversion efficiency. Remove the DPF without a tune and the ECM sees zero differential pressure — instant DTC. Remove the EGR cooler without a tune and the EGR flow monitoring goes into fault. On 2013+ trucks, missing DEF injection data triggers a derate within miles.

What Delete Tuning Actually Does
A proper delete tune disables the emissions monitoring loops in the ECM calibration, adjusts fueling tables for the new unrestricted exhaust flow, raises boost targets to match the reduced backpressure, and on DEF-equipped trucks, removes all SCR and DEF injection logic. It also optimizes torque management and, depending on the platform, transmission shift behavior.

Top Tuner Platforms for 6.7 Cummins

• EZ Lynk AutoAgent 3 ^[66] — Cloud-based platform supporting custom delete tunes with over-the-air tune updates. Rated 73 reviews on The Diesel Dudes' platform. Best for owners who want ongoing tune revisions and remote support.
• EFI Live AutoCal V3 ^[50] — Industry-standard custom tuning platform covering 6.7 Cummins 2007–2021. 85 reviews, 37 questions on TDD — the most experienced support base. Shift-on-the-fly capability available.
• RaceMe Ultra ^[103] — Plug-and-play delete tuner purpose-built for Ram Cummins with pre-configured delete power levels and SOTF (switch-on-the-fly) settings. 16 reviews on TDD. Best for owners who want a straightforward out-of-box experience.

All three platforms are available as standalone tuners or pre-bundled in The Diesel Dudes' year-specific full delete packages ^[124].

Here's the general sequence for a 6.7 Cummins full delete on an off-road truck. This is a moderate-to-advanced DIY job — you need basic hand tools, jack stands or a lift, and the ability to work around coolant lines and exhaust flanges.

Step 1 — Load the Tune First
Connect your EZ Lynk, EFI Live, or RaceMe tuner to the OBD-II port and flash the delete calibration before touching any hardware. This prevents the ECM from freaking out when it boots up without DPF or EGR sensors in place.

Step 2 — Remove the DPF/DOC Assembly
Unplug all sensors (differential pressure, EGT, O2) before unbolting the DPF. Retain any sensors specified by your tune instructions — some calibrations require sensors to remain in-circuit even when the filter is gone. The DPF assembly on a 6.7 Cummins is significantly heavier than the delete pipe that replaces it; have a helper or floor jack handy.

Step 3 — Install the Delete Pipe
The 4" DPF/CAT delete pipe ^[38] slides in using the factory flange bolt pattern — no cutting required on standard cab/bed configurations. Route the pipe using the supplied hangers through the factory rubber grommets. A 5" full exhaust system ^[25] replaces the entire exhaust from the turbo back and requires more labor but maximizes flow.

Step 4 — Delete the EGR System
Remove the EGR cooler and valve assembly. Install high-temp block-off plates at the exhaust manifold and intake crossover using supplied gaskets and hardware ^[56]. Reroute coolant lines per the kit instructions to eliminate the EGR cooler from the circuit entirely.

Step 5 — DEF Bypass (2013+ Trucks)
Implement sensor plug bypasses and any required wiring harness adapters ^[118]. Verify that the DEF tank level sensor, NOx sensors, and SCR catalyst monitoring inputs are handled by the tune or the bypass hardware.

Step 6 — Post-Install Verification
Check for exhaust leaks and coolant leaks. Clear any residual codes with the tuner. Monitor EGT, boost pressure, and fuel trims on the first test drive.

Here's a direct comparison of the major 6.7 Cummins full delete bundles available through The Diesel Dudes, covering all four generations.

4" vs 5" Exhaust: The 4" delete pipe ^[38] covers the vast majority of towing and daily-driver performance builds — it's the right call for most 6.7 Cummins owners. The 5" full exhaust system ^[25] is for high-power builds exceeding 600 HP at the wheels, or for owners who want maximum sound and flow. The 5" requires more routing work but delivers meaningfully lower EGTs at peak output.

EGR-Only vs Full Delete: If budget is a constraint, an EGR-only delete ^[56] stops the intake soot contamination and eliminates the $3,000–$5,000 cooler failure risk. But you're still dealing with regens, DPF clogging, and DEF system faults. Most owners working toward a reliable off-road competition truck choose the full bundle — the math on avoided repairs makes it the stronger long-term value.

Cab & Chassis Trucks: If you're running a cab-and-chassis Ram Cummins, the C&C-specific bundle ^[31] is the right call — pipe length and hanger position differ from standard pickup configurations.

There are a lot of places to buy delete parts. Here's what's different about buying a 6.7 Cummins EGR/DPF delete kit from The Diesel Dudes.

Year-Specific Engineering
Every bundle on The Diesel Dudes is built for a specific model year range — not a generic "fits 2007–2021" kit that leaves you guessing. The 2013–2018 bundle ^[107] is calibrated for fourth-gen DEF/SCR hardware. The 2019–2021 bundle ^[108] accounts for fifth-gen ECU monitoring changes. The 2022–2024 kit ^[109] addresses the additional complexity of the latest platform. Mismatched kits from non-specialists create persistent DTCs, exhaust leaks, and limp-mode events that take days to diagnose.

Review Volume = Real-World Validation
The 2013–2018 Ram Cummins Full Delete Bundle carries 484 verified reviews and 104 answered questions ^[107]. The EFI Live AutoCal V3 for Dodge Ram 6.7L has 85 reviews and 37 questions ^[50]. The EZ Lynk AutoAgent 3 for Dodge Ram 6.7L has 73 reviews ^[66]. That depth of customer experience means common fitment questions, install notes, and tune revisions are already documented and answered.

Complete Bundle = No Sourcing Risk
The Diesel Dudes Technical Team bundles every required component — exhaust pipe, EGR plates, coolant hardware, DEF bypass, tuner, and applicable sensor kits like the EZ Lynk EGT Sensor Kit ^[64] — in a single order. You're not sourcing a tuner from one vendor and pipes from another and hoping the calibration matches the hardware.

Support After the Sale
The Diesel Dudes Technical Team is reachable at (888) 830-2588 for fitment questions, install guidance, and tune support. That's not something you get from a generic marketplace listing. For off-road and competition builds, having a knowledgeable team behind the kit is the difference between a clean install and a frustrating troubleshooting spiral.