6.7 Cummins Delete Pipe vs Full Delete Kit: What's the Difference and Which One Do You Actually Need?

Written by Derek Miller

May 09, 2026

If you've been digging into delete options for your Ram 2500 or 3500, you've probably run into both terms, delete pipe and full delete kit, and wondered if they're interchangeable. They're not. Choosing one over the other without understanding the difference is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes 6.7 Cummins owners make. This guide breaks down exactly what each option covers, where the risks live, and which route makes the most sense for your truck.

1. What a 6.7 Cummins Delete Pipe Actually Does 2. What a Full 6.7 Cummins Delete Kit Covers 3. Delete Pipe vs Full Delete Kit: Side-by-Side Comparison 4. Cost Reality Check 5. When a Delete Pipe Alone Might Actually Make Sense 6. What Most 6.7 Cummins Owners Should Do 7. FAQs 8. Bottom Line

What a 6.7 Cummins Delete Pipe Actually Does

A delete pipe (sometimes called a DPF delete pipe) is a straight section of exhaust tubing (typically 4" or 5" diameter) that replaces the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and sometimes the catalytic converter in the exhaust stream. That's it. Physically, you're bolting in a pipe where the DPF canister used to be.

The immediate benefits are real: exhaust backpressure drops, exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs) during hard towing come down, and you eliminate the risk of a clogged DPF triggering limp mode on a Saturday afternoon with a trailer behind you.

But here's what the pipe does NOT touch:

EGR system — The exhaust gas recirculation valve, cooler, and associated plumbing remain fully active. Hot, soot-laden exhaust is still being routed back into your intake manifold on every drive cycle.
DEF/SCR system — The selective catalytic reduction system and DEF dosing module continue to operate normally. Your truck is still consuming DEF and expecting a functional SCR catalyst downstream.
ECU emissions monitoring — The factory ECM is still running its full DPF regeneration logic, NOx sensor monitoring, and exhaust temperature checks. With the DPF physically removed, those sensor signals will either go haywire or throw fault codes immediately.

What a Full 6.7 Cummins Delete Kit Covers

A 6.7 Cummins full delete kit is a complete solution that addresses every part of the emissions system as a coordinated package. Most all-in-one kits for the 6.7L platform include:

DPF delete pipe — The same straight-pipe exhaust replacement, typically in 4" or 5" diameter for proper flow.
EGR delete plates/block-off kit — Precision-fit plates that seal off the EGR ports and remove the EGR cooler from the system, stopping the recirculation of soot and hot exhaust gases into the intake.
DEF module delete / SCR bypass — Hardware and/or programming to disable the DEF dosing system entirely.
Diesel tuner with delete tune — This is the critical piece. A purpose-built tuner reflashes the ECM to remove DPF regen logic, disable EGR commands, shut off DEF dosing, clear fault code triggers, and recalibrate fueling, boost targets, and injector timing to match the now-open exhaust system.

The tuner is what makes everything work together. Without it, even the cleanest pipe install will throw CEL codes constantly and leave the ECM fighting against hardware that's no longer there.

Delete Pipe vs Full Delete Kit: Side-by-Side Comparison

	Delete Pipe Only	Full Delete Kit
DPF removed	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
EGR removed	❌ No	✅ Yes
DEF/SCR disabled	❌ No	✅ Yes
ECU reflashed	❌ No	✅ Yes
Check engine light	⚠️ Likely immediate CEL	✅ Cleared by tune
EGR cooler failure risk	❌ Still present	✅ Eliminated
Entry cost	Lower upfront	Higher upfront
Total long-term cost	Higher (EGR failure, codes, etc.)	Lower

Cost Reality Check

A standalone delete pipe for the 6.7 Cummins typically runs $170–$600 depending on configuration (DPF-only vs. downpipe-back, with or without muffler). That looks attractive compared to a full kit.

A complete diesel delete kit that includes the pipe, EGR hardware, and a tuner will run more upfront. But consider what you're avoiding: a 6.7 Cummins EGR cooler replacement at a diesel shop can easily cost $1,500–$2,500 in parts and labor. That single repair erases the "savings" from the pipe-only approach fast.

The Fault Code Problem with Pipe-Only

When you pull the DPF without reflashing the ECM, the truck's computer doesn't know the filter is gone — it just knows the sensor readings don't match expected parameters. You'll typically see codes like P2002 (DPF efficiency below threshold), P2453 (DPF pressure sensor), and NOx-related codes almost immediately. The CEL stays on permanently, and on some model years the truck can enter a derate/limp mode after a set number of regeneration attempts fail.

Running around with those codes isn't just annoying, as it also masks legitimate engine fault codes that you actually need to see.

EGR Cooler Failure: The Hidden Cost of a Half-Delete

This is the part most delete pipe threads on the forums skip over. On the 6.7 Cummins, the EGR cooler is one of the most common failure points even on a stock truck. When you delete the DPF but leave the EGR in place, you've done nothing to stop the root cause of intake soot buildup, coolant contamination risk, or EGR cooler cracking under load.

Owners who run a pipe-only setup often end up back at square one, dealing with an EGR cooler that lets go at 150k miles, and then spending money on EGR hardware that should have been part of the original plan. A proper EGR delete kit eliminates that failure point entirely.

When a Delete Pipe Alone Might Actually Make Sense

There's one scenario where buying just a delete pipe is completely logical: you've already done the EGR delete, you already own a tuner, and you specifically need to replace a failed or clogged DPF with a straight pipe to complete the system.

If your rig already has an EGR block-off kit in place, a diesel tuner loaded with a delete tune, and you're simply swapping out the DPF section, then a standalone delete pipe is exactly what you need. You're not missing anything; you're just replacing one component in an already-complete setup.

Outside of that specific situation, buying a pipe-only and calling it a delete is setting yourself up for fault codes, continued EGR wear, and a second shopping trip down the road.

What Most 6.7 Cummins Owners Should Do

If you're starting from stock, the math favors a full delete kit almost every time. Here's the straightforward case:

One-time investment, complete solution. A full kit eliminates the DPF, kills EGR soot contamination, disables DEF dosing, and gives the ECM a clean tune that matches the physical hardware. Everything works together from day one. No CEL hunting, no wondering why the truck is still regenning, no EGR cooler ticking time bomb under the hood.
Real-world performance gains. Once the ECM is properly tuned with the EGR and DPF out of the picture, most owners see 30–60 HP and 60–100 lb-ft torque gains depending on tune aggressiveness. EGTs under hard towing typically drop 100–200°F. Fuel economy improves 2–4 MPG on the highway because the engine isn't fighting exhaust backpressure or running parasitic regen cycles.
Long-term reliability. The 6.7 Cummins is a fundamentally strong diesel engine. Its weak points, such as EGR cooler failure, DPF clogging, and intake soot buildup, are all directly tied to the emissions equipment. Remove that equipment properly and you remove the most common failure modes.

Browse the full 6.7L Ram Cummins delete kit collection to find kits spec'd specifically for your model year, whether you're running a 2013–2018 or 2019–2024 Ram 2500/3500.

FAQs

Can I run a delete pipe without a tuner?

Technically yes, the truck will start and run. But you'll have a permanent check engine light, active fault codes, and the ECM will continue trying to initiate DPF regenerations that can't complete. Most tuners consider this a temporary situation at best.

Do I need an EGR delete kit if I already have a delete pipe?

Yes, if you want a complete, reliable setup. The EGR system operates independently of the DPF exhaust section. Leaving it active after a pipe install means continued soot buildup in the intake and ongoing EGR cooler wear. See the full breakdown in our EGR delete pros and cons guide.

Will a full delete kit void my warranty?

Any modification that removes or disables emissions equipment will affect factory warranty coverage related to those systems. If your truck is already out of warranty, which is the case for most 6.7 Cummins owners shopping for delete parts, that's a non-issue.

What years does a 6.7 Cummins delete kit fit?

EngineGo carries kits covering 2013–2024 Ram 2500/3500 with the 6.7L Cummins. Year-specific fitment matters because the DEF system was introduced in 2013, and exhaust configurations differ between the 2013–2018 and 2019–2024 generations.

How long does it take to understand the diesel exhaust system before doing a delete?

If you want a solid foundation before buying parts, the overview of diesel truck exhaust systems on the EngineGo blog covers DPF, SCR, EGR, and how they interact. It is worth a 10-minute read before you start shopping.

Bottom Line

A delete pipe is a piece of hardware. A full delete kit is a system. If you're serious about eliminating emissions-related reliability problems on your 6.7 Cummins, rather than just patching one component, the full kit is the right call. The upfront cost difference is real, but it's significantly smaller than what you'll spend dealing with the downstream consequences of a half-done job.

→ Shop 6.7 Cummins Delete Kits at EngineGo

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