What Is a Delete Pipe on the 6.7 Powerstroke?
A 6.7 Powerstroke delete pipe, sometimes called a race pipe or DPF delete pipe, is a straight-through exhaust pipe that physically replaces the factory Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) section of your truck's exhaust system. That's it. You're bolting in a mandrel-bent stainless pipe where the DPF used to be.
The delete pipe eliminates the most restrictive part of the factory exhaust. By removing the DPF (and often the DOC upstream of it), you're reducing exhaust backpressure, lowering exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs), and allowing the turbo to spool faster. You'll also never deal with another DPF regen cycle burning fuel and cooking your turbo at idle.
What a Delete Pipe Does NOT Include
Here's the critical part most guys miss: a delete pipe alone is not a complete solution.
- It does not touch the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system
- It does not include an ECU tune or delete tuner
- It does not remove or disable the DEF/SCR system on 2011+ trucks
- It does not eliminate the fault codes and warning lights triggered by missing sensors
Installing a 6.7 Powerstroke delete pipe without a matching tune will immediately throw a check engine light, trigger limp mode, and leave your EGR recirculating hot, soot-laden exhaust gases straight into your intake manifold — which is what kills these engines over time.
What Is a Full Delete Kit?
A full 6.7 Powerstroke delete kit is an all-in-one package that addresses the entire emissions system in one shot. Instead of just pulling the DPF, you're removing or bypassing every major emissions component that causes reliability problems and power loss.
A complete 6.7 Powerstroke delete kit typically bundles:
- DPF delete pipe — straight-through 4" or 5" mandrel-bent stainless exhaust replacing the factory DPF/DOC
- EGR delete kit — block-off plates, coolant reroute hardware, and all hardware to remove the EGR valve and cooler
- DEF/SCR disable — handled via the included tune, eliminating urea injection and NOx sensor faults
- Delete tuner — ECU programmer pre-configured to disable DPF regen, EGR logic, DEF injection, and all associated fault codes
The tuner is what makes the whole package work. Without it, your PCM is still looking for sensors and emissions hardware that no longer exist, and it will fight you every mile.
Delete Pipe Alone: Pros and Cons
The Case For a Delete Pipe Only
The main appeal is upfront cost. A standalone delete pipe is significantly cheaper than a full kit — you're looking at roughly $250–$500 for the pipe itself versus $1,000–$2,000 for a complete bundle with tuner. If you already own a compatible delete tuner and are just replacing a worn-out pipe, buying the pipe alone makes total sense.
Why a Delete Pipe Alone Usually Falls Short
- The EGR system is still cooking your intake: Even after removing the DPF, the EGR is still pushing hot, carbon-heavy exhaust gases back into the intake manifold. Over time, this coats the intake, EGR cooler, and EGR valve with black soot. On the 6.7 Powerstroke, this buildup is a well-documented cause of throttle body fouling, increased cylinder wear, and reduced longevity. You've fixed half the problem.
- Without a tune, you're in limp mode: The 6.7 Powerstroke PCM monitors NOx sensors, DPF differential pressure sensors, and SCR temperature sensors continuously. Remove the DPF hardware and those sensors go dead — the ECM sees critical faults and dereates the engine. You'll lose power, get bad fuel economy, and potentially damage the turbo from abnormal operating conditions.
- The fix is temporary at best: You'll end up buying the EGR hardware and a tuner anyway. Most guys who start with just a pipe end up spending more in total because they buy components piecemeal rather than getting a matched, pre-validated kit the first time.
Full Delete Kit: Pros and Cons
Why Most Owners Choose the Full Kit
- It's a complete system solution: A full diesel all-in-one delete kit removes every major emissions restriction in one go. Your DPF is gone, your EGR is blocked off, your DEF system is disabled via tune, and your PCM is reprogrammed to run cleanly without any of it. No more regen cycles, no more intake soot, no more limp mode, no more DEF fluid costs.
- Pre-matched hardware and tune eliminates compatibility headaches: This is huge. The 6.7 Powerstroke has gone through multiple generations (2011–2014, 2015–2016, 2017–2019, and 2020-present) each with different sensor locations, exhaust routing, and ECU encryption. A matched kit means the pipe, EGR hardware, and tuner are all verified to work together on your specific model year. Buying parts separately from different vendors and hoping they play nice is a gamble.
- Long-term reliability gains are real: Removing EGR-induced carbon buildup improves airflow, reduces heat stress on the intake side, and prevents the soot-related failures that are common on high-mileage 6.7 Powerstrokes. Pair that with lower EGTs from the delete pipe and a properly tuned ECU, and you have a genuinely more durable truck.
- Fuel economy and power improve together: With the delete pipe freeing up exhaust flow and the tune optimizing fueling maps, owners typically report 5–15 HP gains and noticeable improvements in throttle response, especially under load and at highway speeds. Some see modest MPG gains too, particularly on trucks that had frequently regenerating DPFs eating injected fuel to force a regen cycle.
The Downside
- Higher upfront cost: A complete kit with a quality tuner is a $1,000–$2,000 investment depending on your year, configuration, and which tuner is included. That's a real number, and it's worth budgeting for properly rather than trying to cheap your way to the same destination.
Which Should You Choose?
Here's the honest breakdown:
Buy just a delete pipe if:
- You already own a compatible delete tuner that's tuned for your specific year
- You're doing a staged build and plan to add EGR hardware and tune within a few weeks
- You're replacing a damaged pipe on a truck that's already fully deleted
Buy a full delete kit if:
- This is your first delete and you're starting from scratch
- You want everything to work together out of the box
- You plan to tow heavy, work the truck hard, or put serious miles on it
- You don't want to troubleshoot compatibility issues between parts from different vendors
For most owners, the full kit is the smarter buy. The EGR system on the 6.7 Powerstroke is just as responsible for long-term reliability problems as the DPF, and leaving it in place while running a deleted exhaust is a half-measure. You save money short-term and spend it fixing intake problems later.
Check out the complete lineup of Ford Powerstroke delete kits to find the right match for your model year — whether you're running a 2011–2014 first-gen, a 2015–2016 mid-cycle truck, a 2017–2019, or a 2020–2024 Gen 3.
Cost Comparison
| Component |
Delete Pipe Only |
Full Delete Kit |
| DPF Delete Pipe |
$250–$500 |
Included |
| EGR Delete Hardware |
Not included |
Included |
| Delete Tuner |
Not included |
Included |
| DEF/SCR Disable |
Not included |
Included via tune |
| Total Estimated Cost |
$850–$1,500+ (if you buy tune & EGR separately) |
$1,000–$2,000 (all-in) |
When you price it out honestly, a delete pipe alone plus a tuner plus EGR hardware often costs more than buying a complete matched kit. Plus, you take on the compatibility risk.
FAQ
Can I run a delete pipe without a tune on my 6.7 Powerstroke?
No. Removing the DPF removes sensors the PCM actively monitors. Without a delete tune loaded first, the truck will throw fault codes and enter limp mode almost immediately. Always flash the tune before removing hardware.
Does a delete pipe change the sound of my 6.7?
Yes. Most delete pipes produce a deeper, more aggressive exhaust note compared to the muffled stock sound. Options with a built-in muffler or resonator exist if you want performance without the loud "straight-pipe" volume.
Will an EGR delete help even after I've already put in a delete pipe?
Absolutely. The 6.7 Powerstroke EGR delete kit removes a separate failure point from the engine entirely. Even with the DPF gone, the EGR is still pushing soot into your intake. Deleting it stops that carbon buildup and reduces long-term wear.
What about a CCV reroute — do I need that too?
It's a smart add-on for high-mileage or tuned trucks. The factory CCV routes oil vapor back into the intake, contributing to buildup in the intercooler and intake piping. A 6.7 Powerstroke CCV delete kit reroutes or eliminates that pathway, keeping the intake cleaner over the long haul.
Is there a guide to help me pick the right kit for my specific year?
Yes. EngineGo has a detailed 6.7 Powerstroke delete kit buying guide that walks through year-specific fitment differences, what's included at each configuration level, and what tuner to pair with your truck.
Ready to Delete Your 6.7 Powerstroke?
Whether you're doing a targeted DPF-only pull or going all-in on a complete emissions delete, the key is buying matched hardware that's spec'd for your exact model year. Mixing and matching parts from different vendors is how you end up with a truck that runs worse after the build than before it.
Browse the full selection of 6.7 Powerstroke delete kits and delete pipes at EngineGo. Filter by year, pick your configuration, and get the right kit the first time.