The Pros and Cons of Deleting Your 6.7 Cummins Engine

What Does Deleting a 6.7 Cummins Change?

The delete tune reprograms your ECM to run without the emissions systems, then you remove the hardware.^[1] The 4" rust-resistant DPF and CAT delete pipe bolts in where the factory units were, and the EGR delete kit seals off the EGR passages so hot exhaust gases stop recirculating into your intake.^[1]

That's the whole job in two sentences. Software first, wrenches second. Before you commit, though, it pays to know exactly what you're pulling off the truck and what it was doing for you.

What the particulate filter and regeneration do on a stock truck

Start with the filter, because it's the part everyone argues about. A diesel particulate filter physically captures diesel particulates through filtration.^[2] It's a trap, plain and simple.

Traps fill up. The particulates a diesel particulate filter collects would eventually cause excessively high exhaust gas pressure drop of the filter, which would negatively affect engine operation.^[2] That's why a particulate filter system has to provide a way of removing particulates from the filter to restore its soot collection capacity.^[2]

Regeneration is a process used to remove carbon build-up from the DPF.^[3] Regeneration can run continuously during regular operation of the filter, or periodically after a pre-determined quantity of soot has accumulated.^[2] On a stock truck, that cycle is part of life whether you're ready for it or not.

Tune first, hardware second

Sequence is everything on this job. Put the tune on before a single bolt comes loose. Load it, make sure it took, and only then get the truck up on stands.

Keep the tuner, the cables and your phone in one spot so nothing walks off mid-job. Why so strict? A half-finished truck is the last thing you want sitting in the pits when it's due on the dyno.

Do it in sequence and you only do it once. Skip ahead and you'll be undoing your own work.

Where the EGR delete fits in

Plenty of people think a delete is all about the exhaust pipe. Here's the thing — it isn't. The EGR side is the other half of the job, and skipping it is like patching a leaky roof on one side of the house and ignoring the other.

Want the whole truck sorted? Plan for both halves from day one. Your Cummins is a workhorse, and it deserves the full job.

Do both halves on the same weekend if you can. A truck that's half done is a truck that isn't on the trailer for the next event.

What Do You Gain From a Full Delete?

Start with the stock truck. When the truck shows Regeneration Required Now, you need to run it at speed for at least 45 minutes to perform the exhaust after-treatment.^[5] "See Dealer" codes, check engine lights, limp mode, and regen cycles all stop the day the tune goes in.^[4] Transmission tuning is included for the 68RFE, adjusting shift points and line pressure for the added torque.^[4]

That's the headline. Here's what it actually feels like from behind the wheel at the event.

No more dash warnings and limp mode

Nothing wrecks a day at the track like a dash lit up with warnings. "See Dealer" codes, check engine lights, and limp mode are gone.^[1] You stop staring at the cluster and start watching your gauges.

We get it — limp mode at the wrong moment can ruin a whole weekend. Nursing a truck back to the trailer at a crawl is nobody's idea of fun.

What regeneration asks of you today

On a stock setup, the filter sets the schedule. How often regeneration happens varies based on system and application.^[3] That's the real headache, because you can't plan a test session around a filter that decides for itself when it needs attention.

Think about the last time a regen message showed up at a bad moment. That's the moment you're trading away. The good news? Once the tune is in, that's one less thing on your checklist.

Transmission tuning and loading the tune

Power you can't put through the transmission is wasted power. A tune that adds torque but leaves the shift points alone is only half a tune. That's why the transmission tuning matters more than it looks.

Loading the tune is easier than most guys expect. The Ez Lynk Auto Agent 3.0 connects to your OBDII port and installs the custom tune directly to your ECM, no laptop required.^[4] Sitting in the cab beats hunching over a laptop on the tailgate.

Set the tune up well before the event, not in the staging lanes. You want to know how the truck behaves long before it counts.

What Are the Downsides of Deleting?

Aftermarket powertrain and exhaust modifications can cause damage to the engine, powertrain and/or exhaust system.^[5] Custom tunes take time. First, the oldest-truck bundle. After purchase you'll get a vehicle info form, and we need 2-3 days to process your custom tune.^[1] Then the newest-truck bundle. After you order, you submit your VIN and vehicle info; allow 8–10 business days to build the tune and ship.^[6]

Put years on those two bundles. The oldest bundle is the 2013-2018 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle. The newest bundle is the 2022-2024 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle.

Buckle up, because this part matters as much as the gains. None of it is a reason to panic. It's a reason to plan.

Where modifications can cause damage

A delete changes how the engine, the exhaust and the transmission work together. Treat it like a full build, not a weekend accessory.

Start with a healthy truck. If something is already off under the hood, fix it first, so you're not blaming the delete for a problem it didn't cause. Running other mods already? Take a hard look at the whole package before you add another.

Watch your gauges closely for the first few sessions after the install. If something feels off, stop and check it before the next pass.

How long you wait for a custom tune

Neither tune comes off a shelf. That's the trade for a file built around your truck. Fill in the vehicle info form the day it lands, and double-check your VIN before you send anything.

Don't pull the truck apart while you're waiting. Keep it running as-is until every part and the tune are in hand. Which wait applies to you? That comes down to your bracket, and the two bundle names at the top of this section tell you which is which. If your bundle name shows no wait time, check with the support team before anything comes apart.

If the event calendar is tight, work backward from your next race date. Send the form in early and let the wait run while you prep everything else.

Why to be sure before you order

Slow down on this one, because the newest bundle's terms are strict. Tuners are built to order and non-refundable; exhaust is final sale; the EGR kit is returnable unused within 30 days.^[6]

Measure twice, cut once. Confirm your model year, cab and box before you commit to anything.

Which Full Delete Bundle Fits Your Model Year?

The 2013-2018 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle runs $1,932.00 to $2,959.00. It fits the 2013 through 2018 Ram 6.7L 2500 and 3500 across all pickup trims and box lengths, but not Cab & Chassis trucks. The 2019-2021 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle runs $2,494.00 to $3,109.00. The 2022-2024 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle runs $6,834.00 to $7,134.00.

Reading your model year before you choose

Which bracket does your Ram sit in? Don't guess, and don't take the last owner's word for it. Check the model year on your own truck before you pick a bracket.

Look at the cab and the bed while you're at it. Write down the cab style and the bed length before you go any further. A little checking now saves a big headache later.

Where each bracket stops

The 2019-2021 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle picks up where the first bracket ends. It fits all 2019–2021 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trims, cab and box lengths, but not Cab & Chassis.

The 2022-2024 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle covers the newest trucks. Fits 2022, 2023, and 2024 Ram 2500 and 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins, all pickup trims and cab/box lengths. Won't fit Cab & Chassis — call (888) 830-2588.^[6]

Running a chassis-cab and still not sure where you stand? That number is the fastest way to a straight answer.

What each bracket costs

Put the three side by side and the spread is easy to see. Let's break it down.

Why the big jump on the newest bracket? The next two sections walk through the hardware. Real bang for your buck starts with the bracket your truck actually needs.

What Comes in Each Full Delete Bundle?

The 2013-2018 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes the Complete EGR Delete Kit. The 2019-2021 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes the Ez Lynk Auto Agent 3.0 preloaded with delete tunes. It also includes a Bypass Cable. The same box carries a Shift on the fly switch. The 2022-2024 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes a MOPAR ECM.

Checking the box against this list

Open everything and lay it out before you plan a single step. Your parts may look slightly different depending on the version you got. Don't sweat a bracket that doesn't match a photo you've seen.

Count every bolt and clamp before you start. Snap a photo of the full spread once it's laid out, because you'll be glad you have it if anything goes sideways later.

Parts every bracket shares

Start with the common ground. The 2019-2021 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes the Complete EGR Delete Kit. The 2022-2024 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes the Complete EGR Delete Kit.

Keep that kit's hardware bagged and labeled until you're ready for it. Loose bolts have a way of disappearing.

Parts that differ by model year

Here's where the brackets split, older trucks on one side and the newest on the other. The 2013-2018 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes the Rust Resistant DPF & CAT Delete Pipe. The 2019-2021 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes the rust resistant DPF & CAT Delete Pipe.

The newest trucks are a different story. The 2022-2024 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle includes the RaceME Ultra Delete Tuner.

You get the RaceMe Ultra with monitor and shift-on-the-fly control, all required cables, the pre-flashed MOPAR ECM, the 4" full exhaust (downpipe to tip), and the EGR delete kit with all hardware.^[6] That's a lot of hardware, so clear some bench space before it lands.

Why Is the 2022-2024 Bundle Built Differently?

The 2022–2024 Cummins uses updated ECM architecture, so it needs a different approach than earlier trucks.^[6] Instead of an OBD-II plug-in, the tuning solution comes with a MOPAR ECM and you keep your original ECM in case you ever want to revert to factory.^[6]

Why a plug-in tuner is not the answer here

A lot of guys assume the newest truck just needs the newest plug-in. Not this time. This bracket is the beast of the lineup, and it asks a little more of you on install day.

Install it and the "See Dealer" lights, regen cycles, and limp mode are gone for good.^[6] That's worth a little extra time on the bench.

Plan the job around the wait for the tune. Line up a free weekend for when everything lands, so the truck isn't half apart between events.

Keeping your original ECM

Don't toss the factory unit. Label it, bag it, and store it somewhere dry. Think of it as the spare key to the whole build, the one you'll be glad you kept.

Keep any factory parts that come off the truck in the same spot. That way the whole stock setup stays together instead of scattered around the garage.

What Should You Expect During Installation?

Lay the whole kit out on the floor before you touch the truck. The first thing to do is verify you have all the parts. The delete pipe and EGR kit are fully bolt-on with no welding.^[4] No cutting and no welding, since both use bolts and clamps that we provide.^[1]

Before anything comes off the truck

If you are missing any parts or have doubts, take a picture of everything you received. Then reach out to the support team through the chat bot. Sorting it out now beats discovering a gap with the truck in pieces.

Read the written install instructions all the way through before you pick up a wrench. Time at the bench beats guesswork on your back.

Keep a magnetic tray handy for small hardware. A clean rag for every connector doesn't hurt either.

Bolting in the pipe and the EGR kit

Leave the cut-off wheel on the shelf. Snug every clamp and bolt first, then do the final tightening once everything lines up.

Lay out the old parts as they come off, in the same arrangement they sat on the truck. Take your time on fit-up, because a clean install today beats chasing a leak at the next event.

The order of work on the newest bundle

On the newest bundle, wait until every part is on the bench. Then you swap the ECM, connect the RaceMe Ultra, bolt in the exhaust, and finish the EGR delete.^[6] Work it in that sequence and nothing gets skipped.

Swapping an ECM is careful work, not hard work. Take your time with every connector, and don't force anything that doesn't want to seat.

Should You Delete Your 6.7 Cummins?

A 2022-2024 Ram takes the 2022-2024 Ram Cummins 6.7 Full Delete Bundle. A 2019-2021 Ram takes the 2019-2021 bundle. That leaves the oldest trucks. You choose between two bundles.^[1] A 2013-2018 Ram takes the EZ Lynk version. The difference is the tuner: EZ Lynk ships preloaded and plug-and-play through the AutoAgent phone app, while EFI Live's software is emailed and loads from a Windows 10 or 11 computer.^[1]

Weighing the trade-offs

Let's be straight with you. Go back over the gains and the downsides above, and ask which list matters more for your build.

Is this a dedicated competition truck? Can you live with the wait and the build-to-order terms? If both answers are yes, a full delete makes a lot of sense.

We'd rather you go in with your eyes open than get surprised halfway through a build. That's how we'd want it explained to us.

Picking your bracket

The table above does most of the work. Find your model year in the left column and read straight across to the bundle and tuner that go with it.

Sitting right on a bracket edge? Check the year twice before you settle on anything. A wrong guess here puts the wrong box on your bench.

Choosing a tuner on 2013-2018 trucks

Picture where you'll be when the tune goes in. Between rounds, your phone is already in your pocket. Already live on a Windows laptop at the track? Then the EFI Live version will feel right at home. Either way, the truck is ready for the next round.