'Should I delete my 6.7 Cummins?' That's a legit question a lot of serious truck owners have. Because while you'll get a lot of added performance benefits with a delete kit, you'll also increase the chances of running into some legal troubles. It's our goal at Mechanic Guides to help you make the right choice for your truck. So read on to see if deleting is the right thing for you to do. We've also included choices for the best delete kit for the 6.7 Cummins.
What does a delete kit do?
What's vital here is that you need to know the implications of installing a delete kit. But what exactly is 'deleting'? It's a process through which a mechanic (or you, if you're trained) can remove some specific anti-pollution components from your Dodge Ram truck. Through this, not only does your truck get improved performance but deleting also aids the overall fuel efficiency, and it enables the engine to live longer. It also decreases the chances of a catastrophic engine/component failure.
On the negative side, this also means once you have the delete kit on, the truck is no longer legally fit for public-road/highway use. You can do off-road events, but that's about it. A large fine can be headed your way if you're found driving your truck with a delete kit. Not only that but there's also a direct negative influence on re-registering your truck, emission tests, and warranty. The warranty is lost right away.
The good bit about the delete kits (especially EGR deletes and throttle valve) below is that the process is pretty straightforward. As long as it's done by trained hands, you aren't gonna have an issue. What must be taken seriously here is the choice of tuners, which we've explained in one of the earlier Mechanic Guides posts that you can find at the end of the article or by clicking here.
Sinister Diesel EGR Cooler Kit for Dodge Cummins 2010-2016 6.7L
EGR Valve Kit - Dodge Cummins 6.7 6.7L 2500-3500 2010-2017 - DK Engine Parts (2010-2017)
Sinister Diesel Throttle Valve for 2007-2018 Dodge Cummins 6.7L
Cummins 6.7L Throttle Valve Kit - Fits Late Dodge Cummins 6.7 2007-2017 - DK Engine Parts (DK TVD)
Professional Needed for Installation
Sinister Diesel is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to diesel truck modifications. This means not only that more people know about it, but you can also depend on them when it comes to after-sales service/troubleshooting as well.
Wide compatibility; better build
The Sinister Diesel EGR Cooler kit featured here is compatible with 2010-2016 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 trucks with a 6.7 liter Cummins engine. Made of nickel-plated steel and machined billet aluminum, the components are also pressure-tested, hence claim to offer a longer life.
The use of high-quality material for the components goes a long way in establishing a product's life. The Sinister Diesel EGR delete kit for 6.7 Cummins works as intended, making the truck more responsive (thanks to cleaner intake air) - a change you'll feel when you're off-roading.
Compatible with 6.7 Cummins engined Dodge Ram trucks made between 2010 and 2017, the EGR Valve Kit by DK Engine Parts is a good bargain. Alternately, there's also a version for 2007-2009 trucks, link to which is below.
Like with the other parts mentioned here, a tuner will be required with the DK Engine Parts Cummins 6.7 EGR Valve kit. You can read more about tuners and programmers by clicking on the link here.
Great bargain but needs work
At the price, it's a no-brainer, but you must also note that installing this will require trained hands and some time. No instructions are included along with the product, so you'll need to rely on help from Google/YouTube if you plan to undertake the fitment yourself.
For a branded product to be available at this cost, the DK Engine Parts EGR Valve Kit makes for a good choice. The most common complaint from users is the fit of the brackets. So if you're planning to save money on buying this, keep in mind that you might need to fabricate/modify the brackets.
A Sinister Diesel Throttle Valve (for 2007-2018 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks), used in conjunction with the EGR delete, ensures that the air supply to the engine isn't blocked. This can happen when the EGR delete kit is in place with the stock throttle valve. The latter might be disconnected, but even then it can end up causing a restriction to the airflow. The result is a loss in performance, but if it happens at high rpm, the engine can suffer heavy, irreversible damage.
Installing the Sinister Diesel Throttle Valve for Cummins 6.7 means apart from an unrestricted flow of air, the engine also benefits from a quicker turbo spool and lower exhaust gas temperatures. The aluminum-made part comes with a lifetime warranty and bolts into the stock location as well. But like the EGR delete kits, you'll still need to use a tuner.
It might be a small part, but not only does it complement the EGR delete kit but it also improves airflow, so that's a clear win-win. And since it doesn't require major modifications, you can still keep the engine bay looking stock-like.
With a Throttle Valve Kit by DK Engine Parts, you not only give the 6.7L Cummins a better ability to perform but also complement the EGR delete kit. A tuner is still required to clear the engine error codes. You can read more about tuners by clicking on the link at the end of the description.
The Throttle Valve Kit for 6.7 Cummins removes the stock throttle's butterfly valve that's originally made to work together with EGR. It's made of aluminum, comes as a bolt-on upgrade, and the package includes a mounting gasket and other assembly hardware.
Like the other products mentioned here, this is also designed for off-road/closed-racing use only.
Given its low cost, the DK Engine Parts Throttle Valve Kit makes a lot of sense. It's only a bit more expensive than unbranded products, but in comparison to bigger brands, it's less than half the cost.
Final thoughts on Delete kits for 6.7 Cummins
It's a double-edged sword, the idea of doing a delete. It's clear you're going to get a longer engine life, increased performance, and even fewer chances of components failing. But you can install a delete kit only if you aren't going to use the vehicle as your daily - since such modifications aren't allowed legally.
If you happen to use your truck off the road/for closed circuit racing, it makes all the right sense to go ahead with the deletes. We've covered only EGR delete and throttle valve delete here, which require more effort than DPF/SCR deletes.
Among the 6.7 Cummins delete kits mentioned, the DK Engine Parts EGR Valve Kit and Throttle Valve are priced lower than the Sinister Diesel parts. So while Sinister Diesel products might be more expensive and built to a higher standard, too, the DK Engine Parts models offer a greater value.
Read about the best tuners for Cummins 6.7 here.
