What a Delete Pipe Physically Is

A delete pipe is a section of exhaust tubing that replaces the diesel particulate filter (DPF) canister in the exhaust stream. EngineGo lists 4-inch and 5-inch versions for the 6.7 Cummins, with or without a muffler.

That is the whole product. You unbolt the filter section, bolt the pipe in its place, and reuse or replace the clamps and gaskets. Nothing else on the truck changes.

What the Pipe Does Not Touch

  • The EGR system. The EGR valve, cooler, and plumbing stay exactly as they were. Exhaust gas keeps recirculating into the intake on every drive cycle.
  • The DEF and SCR system. On 2013 and newer pickups, the SCR catalyst and the DEF dosing module keep operating. The truck keeps consuming DEF.
  • The ECM calibration. The engine computer still runs its DPF regeneration logic, its pressure sensor monitoring, and its exhaust temperature checks. It has no way of knowing the filter is gone.

That last point is the one that decides whether a pipe-only purchase works for you.

Why the Pipe Alone Sets Codes

The ECM watches the pressure difference across the DPF using a dedicated differential pressure sensor. When the filter is present, that sensor sees a rising restriction as soot accumulates, which is how the ECM knows when to start a regeneration.

Pull the filter and leave the calibration alone, and the sensor now reports a reading the ECM cannot reconcile with any legitimate operating condition. Expect stored and pending trouble codes, including:

  • P2002: DPF efficiency below threshold.
  • P2453: DPF pressure sensor circuit range or performance.

A check engine light that stays on is not just an annoyance. It masks other codes. If a legitimate fault appears, you will not know it is there.

The DEF side has its own escalation. Ram's owner's manual documents that a DEF system fault starts a message sequence that ends in a 5 mph maximum speed, applying at the first engine restart, extended idle, or refuel after the countdown expires. This is why a complete kit has to address the SCR and DEF side, not only the exhaust hardware.

What a Full Delete Kit Adds

A full kit treats the emissions system as one package. For the 6.7 Cummins platform, the listings typically combine:

  • DPF delete pipe. The same hardware described above, in 4-inch or 5-inch.
  • EGR delete hardware. Block-off plates and related parts that close off the EGR path at the intake and remove the cooler from the loop.
  • DEF and SCR handling. Hardware and calibration changes that stop DEF dosing.
  • A tuner with a matching calibration. This is the part that makes the rest function. The tuner rewrites the ECM so regeneration logic, EGR commands, and DEF dosing are accounted for, and so the fueling matches an exhaust system with different flow characteristics.

Without the calibration, the hardware and the computer disagree with each other. That mismatch is the source of the codes above.

Side-by-Side Comparison

  Delete Pipe Only Full Delete Kit
DPF removed from the exhaust Yes Yes
EGR system changed No Yes
DEF and SCR addressed No Yes
ECM recalibrated No Yes
Tuner needed separately Yes Included
Check engine light from missing DPF Yes, unless tuned Addressed by the calibration
Intake soot path stays active Yes No

Notice what is not in this table: horsepower, fuel economy, and exhaust temperature. We do not publish those figures, because the result depends on your truck, the calibration you run, its condition, and how you use it. Any listing that promises a specific number for every truck is guessing.

When a Delete Pipe Alone Is the Right Buy

There is a clear case for the pipe by itself: you have already done the rest.

If your truck already has EGR delete hardware installed, you already own a tuner loaded with a calibration that matches your setup, and the DPF itself has failed or plugged, then replacing that one section with a pipe is exactly the right move. You are swapping a component in a system that is already complete. You are not missing anything.

If you already chose an EGR delete, the trade-offs on that decision are covered in our guide to EGR delete pros and cons.

Outside that situation, buying a pipe and treating it as the whole job leaves the EGR path active, leaves the ECM fighting hardware that is no longer there, and puts you back in the same listing a second time. If you are starting from a stock truck, price the full kit before you decide, because the pipe plus a tuner plus EGR hardware is the same money spread across three orders.

Choosing a Pipe Diameter

EngineGo lists 4-inch and 5-inch delete pipes for the 6.7 Cummins. The choice is a flow-versus-velocity decision, and it depends on how much air your setup actually moves.

A 4-inch pipe keeps exhaust gas velocity high, which supports turbo response on a stock or moderately modified truck. A 5-inch pipe moves more volume but slows the gas, which matters mainly on high-output builds. On a stock turbo, the larger pipe is not automatically better, and it changes the sound inside the cab at highway speed.

We have a full breakdown in our 4-inch vs 5-inch delete pipe comparison. Pick the diameter that matches your power level, not the biggest one the page sells. Both sizes are in the 6.7 Cummins delete pipe collection.

What Neither Option Includes

A full kit covers the emissions system. It does not cover these:

  • Transmission calibration. The engine calibration and the transmission calibration are separate. Adding engine power does not automatically change how the transmission commands its clutches, and the transmission has a torque ceiling the factory set for factory output. Whether your truck needs transmission work depends on your power level and which transmission you have. Put that question to the tuner's support before you buy.
  • Intake and CCV work. Crankcase ventilation is its own system with its own components and its own listing.
  • A worn engine. A delete does not repair a failing injector, a tired turbo, or an oil dilution problem you already have. Fix the actual fault first, then decide about hardware.

Fitment by Year

Years What to confirm
2007.5 to 2012 EGR and DPF, no DEF. Confirm the pipe matches your cab and bed configuration.
2013 to 2018 EGR, DPF, DEF, and SCR. The DEF system arrived on pickups in 2013.
2019 to 2024 Same emissions layout as above, with different exhaust routing and different ECM access. Do not assume a 2013 to 2018 part fits.

Important: Not compatible with Cab & Chassis commercial-style trucks. Cab and chassis trucks use different exhaust routing, and their emissions layout changed on a different schedule than the pickups. EngineGo sells dedicated Cab & Chassis parts under separate listings. Check the listing title before you order.

Each product page has a Vehicle Fit Guide. Review it before checkout.

Installation Notes and Safety

Check the installation difficulty listed on each product page. A pipe swap and a full kit are different jobs, and the tuner adds a step that you cannot rush.

  • Let the exhaust cool completely before you touch anything under the truck.
  • Soak the exhaust fasteners with penetrating oil ahead of time. They see a lot of heat cycles.
  • Use a lift or rated jack stands. Never work under a truck held up by a jack alone.
  • Wear safety glasses and heat-resistant gloves.
  • Do not interrupt a flash once it starts. Keep a stable battery supply connected for the whole process.
  • If you are not confident about any step, have a professional install it.

The Legal Side

Federal. Section 203(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act prohibits removing or disabling an emissions control device on a certified motor vehicle. It also prohibits manufacturing, selling, or installing parts whose principal effect is to defeat those controls. An "off-road use only" label does not change how a certified highway vehicle is treated. Civil penalties are assessed per vehicle or per device and are adjusted for inflation each year.

Enforcement posture. On January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice said it would no longer pursue criminal charges under the Clean Air Act for tampering with onboard diagnostic systems in motor vehicles. The law did not change, and the department said it will continue civil enforcement where appropriate.

State rules. Many states run OBD-based inspection programs, and a truck whose emissions monitors report not ready can be rejected. Some states also prohibit dealers from taking a tampered vehicle in trade, because a trade-in is treated as a sale. Rules vary by state and by vehicle weight.

Warranty. Two separate warranties can be affected, and they have different terms:

  • The federal emissions warranty covers specified major emissions components for 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. That list includes catalytic converters and SCR catalysts, particulate filters and traps, and EGR components on diesel engines. Under federal rules, a manufacturer cannot void the whole warranty just because an aftermarket part is installed. It can deny a specific claim if the modification caused the failure.
  • The Ram powertrain limited warranty for the diesel is 5 years or 100,000 miles. A dealer can see whether the calibration has been changed, and a claim tied to a modified emissions system or a non-factory calibration can be denied even if the parts are later put back.

If your truck still has coverage, weigh that before you order.

Some emissions-related products are intended only for off-road, race, or non-public-road use where permitted. Customers are responsible for confirming compliance with federal, state, and local laws before purchase and installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a delete pipe without a tuner?

The truck will start and drive. You will have a persistent check engine light and stored fault codes, and the ECM will keep trying to run regenerations that cannot complete. Treat it as a temporary state and get the calibration handled.

Do I need the EGR hardware if I already have a delete pipe?

The two systems are separate. A pipe changes the exhaust path between the filter and the tailpipe. The EGR system moves exhaust gas back into the intake and is unaffected by that change. If you want the EGR path closed off, that is separate hardware.

What years does a 6.7 Cummins delete kit fit?

EngineGo lists 6.7 Cummins parts for 2007.5 through 2024 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, split by generation. DEF arrived on pickups in 2013, and exhaust routing changed again in 2019. Confirm your year before ordering. Cab & Chassis trucks are excluded and use separate listings.

Will this affect my warranty?

It can. A claim tied to the modification can be denied, and a dealer can check whether the calibration has been changed. The federal emissions warranty covers specified major components for 8 years or 80,000 miles, and the Ram diesel powertrain limited warranty runs 5 years or 100,000 miles. Ask your dealer about your specific coverage before you change anything.

Is a delete legal if I only drive the truck off-road?

If the truck was originally certified for road use, the federal rules still apply to the vehicle after modification. Check federal, state, and local law before you buy or install anything that changes emissions equipment.

How fast will an order ship?

Most orders are processed the same or next business day, excluding Sundays, unless otherwise stated. Most packages are delivered within 3 to 5 business days after leaving the warehouse, depending on package size, location, and carrier conditions. Free shipping applies to orders shipped within the continental United States.

What if I order the wrong part?

EngineGo accepts authorized returns within 45 calendar days from the date the product is received, unless otherwise specified. Returned items must be unused, uninstalled, unmodified, and in original condition with all included components. Tuner products and bundles that include a tuner may have stricter return limitations.

Decide With Your Truck in Front of You

A delete pipe is one component. A full kit is a package that includes the calibration the rest of the system depends on. Which one you need comes down to what is already on your truck.

Browse the 6.7 Cummins delete kit collection by model year, and check the Vehicle Fit Guide on each product page before checkout.

Not sure which route fits your setup? Send us your year, engine, cab style, bed length, whether it is a pickup or a Cab & Chassis, current exhaust setup, any prior modifications, and how you use the truck. EngineGo support will help you confirm fitment before you order.