A delete kit removes emissions control systems from your 2017 Duramax diesel engine
A delete kit for a 2017 Duramax removes or bypasses the diesel particulate filter (DPF), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, or both. These are emissions control devices that the engine uses to reduce pollutants in the exhaust. Removing them changes how the engine runs — typically increasing power and fuel economy, but also making the truck illegal to drive on public roads in most U.S. states.
The 2017 Duramax is a 6.6-liter diesel engine found in Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks. It comes from the factory with these emissions systems installed and active. A delete kit physically removes the hardware, replaces it with simpler piping, and uses engine tuning software to tell the engine the systems are no longer there.
Before you consider one, you should understand the legal status, the mechanical changes involved, the cost, and what happens to your truck's warranty and resale value.
Key Takeaways
- Delete kits remove the DPF, EGR, or both — emissions devices that reduce pollutants but also reduce power and fuel economy.
- Deleting these systems is illegal for on-road use in all 50 states under federal Clean Air Act rules, and violations carry fines up to $37,500 per vehicle.
- A complete DPF and EGR delete typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 in parts and labor, depending on the shop and kit brand.
- Deleting voids your manufacturer's warranty on the engine and emissions system, and makes the truck fail emissions testing in states that require it.
- Resale value often drops because future buyers either cannot register the truck legally or face the cost of reinstalling the systems.
Why delete kits exist and what they change
The DPF and EGR were added to meet EPA emissions standards. The DPF traps soot and ash from diesel combustion; the EGR recirculates some exhaust back into the engine to lower nitrogen oxide emissions. Both systems work, but they also increase engine temperature, reduce fuel economy, and require maintenance — the DPF needs periodic cleaning or replacement.
Removing them allows the engine to run cooler, produce more horsepower (typically 50 to 100 additional hp), and improve fuel economy by 2 to 5 miles per gallon. For owners who use their trucks for towing or off-road driving, these gains are real. The engine also no longer needs DPF regeneration cycles, which can be inconvenient and fuel-intensive.
The trade-off is that the truck now emits more particulates and nitrogen oxides — the exact pollutants the systems were designed to reduce. This is why the federal government prohibits it for road use.
Federal law and state enforcement
The Clean Air Act makes it illegal to remove or disable emissions control equipment on any vehicle registered for on-road use. This applies to all 50 states, regardless of whether your state has its own emissions testing program. The EPA and the Department of Justice can pursue violations, and penalties start at $2,500 per vehicle and can reach $37,500.
In practice, enforcement happens most often during emissions testing. States that require testing — California, New York, Massachusetts, and others — will fail a deleted truck. Some states do not require testing, which means a deleted truck can be registered and driven without when ready legal consequence. However, the vehicle is still in violation of federal law, and an EPA inspection, a traffic stop, or a sale to someone in a testing state can expose the violation.
Deleting is legal only for off-road use — racing, farm work, or private land. If you delete your truck, you cannot legally drive it on public roads.
What a delete installation involves
A DPF delete removes the particulate filter canister from the exhaust system and replaces it with a straight pipe or a resonator. An EGR delete removes the EGR cooler and valve and blocks the passages that route exhaust back to the intake. A full delete does both. The work takes 4 to 8 hours depending on the shop and which systems are being deleted.
The physical removal is only half the job. The engine computer has to be reprogrammed to stop looking for the deleted components. This is done with tuning software that disables the diagnostic codes that would otherwise light the check engine light. Most shops use off-the-shelf tuning software from companies like EFI Live, HP Tuners, or Smarty. Some shops write custom tunes.
After deletion, the truck will fail any scan for emissions compliance. A diagnostic scanner will show that the DPF and EGR systems are not responding, and the vehicle will not pass a state emissions test.
Cost and what is included
A complete DPF and EGR delete kit — parts only — typically costs $800 to $1,500. This includes the replacement piping, gaskets, clamps, and sometimes a resonator. Labor to install and tune the engine usually runs $700 to $2,000, depending on the shop's hourly rate and how much custom work is needed. Total cost is usually $1,500 to $3,500.
Some shops bundle the kit and labor into a single price. Others charge for parts and labor separately. A few shops offer "mail-in tuning," where you send your engine computer to them, they reprogram it, and you install it yourself — this saves labor but requires mechanical confidence.
The cost does not include any future work. If you later want to restore the truck to factory emissions compliance — to sell it, to move to a testing state, or to comply with the law — you will need to buy replacement DPF and EGR components and have them installed and tuned back in. This can cost as much as the delete itself.
Warranty and insurance implications
Deleting your emissions system voids the manufacturer's warranty on the engine and the emissions system. Chevrolet and GMC will not cover any engine problems once they discover the truck has been deleted. Some shops will not service a deleted truck at all; others will service it but will not warranty their work if the deletion caused the problem.
Insurance companies are not required to deny coverage for a deleted truck, but some do. Others will cover it but may deny a claim if they determine the deletion caused the damage. Read your policy or call your insurer before you delete.
Deletion also affects resale. A future buyer who wants to keep the truck legal will have to pay to restore the emissions systems. A buyer who does not care about legality will offer less because they are taking on the legal risk. Either way, the truck is worth less than it was before the delete.
Alternatives if you want more power
If you want more horsepower and better fuel economy without the legal and warranty risks, there are legal options. A tuning tune — software that optimizes fuel injection and boost pressure without removing emissions hardware — can add 30 to 50 hp and 3 to 4 mpg improvement while keeping the truck street-legal and emissions-compliant. Brands like EFI Live and HP Tuners offer these.
Upgrading the turbocharger, intercooler, or fuel system can also increase power. These modifications do not remove emissions equipment, so they do not violate federal law, though they may still void your warranty depending on the manufacturer's policy.
If you use the truck primarily off-road, a delete is more defensible because you are not using it on public roads. But even then, the truck cannot be registered or titled for road use once it is deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a deleted truck pass a state emissions test?
No. A deleted truck will fail any emissions test because the DPF and EGR systems are not present and the engine computer is programmed to ignore them. States that require testing will not issue a registration sticker.
Can I get a deleted truck registered in a state without emissions testing?
Possibly, but it is still illegal under federal law. States without testing do not check for deleted emissions systems at registration, so a deleted truck can be titled and registered there. However, the vehicle is in violation of the Clean Air Act, and you cannot legally drive it across state lines into a testing state.
What happens if I get caught driving a deleted truck?
Penalties vary. A traffic stop may result in a citation. An emissions test failure will prevent registration renewal. An EPA inspection can result in fines up to $37,500. Most commonly, owners discover the problem during a routine inspection or when they try to sell the truck.
Can I reverse a delete and put the emissions systems back on?
Yes, but it is expensive. You will need to buy replacement DPF and EGR components, have them installed, and have the engine tuned back to factory settings. This typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 — as much as the delete itself.
Does a delete really improve fuel economy?
It can, typically by 2 to 5 mpg, because the engine runs cooler and does not spend fuel on DPF regeneration cycles. However, the improvement depends on driving habits and conditions. Highway driving shows more improvement than city driving.