6.7 Cummins Grid Heater Upgrade

Why Does Your 6.7 Cummins Need a Grid Heater Upgrade?

The Stock Grid Heater Chokes Intake Airflow

The factory grid heater is a resistive heating element suspended directly in the intake manifold of the 6.7 Cummins. Its dense grid creates turbulence and pressure drop, and on tuned trucks or those with upgraded turbos and intakes, this restriction measurably hurts spool-up and raises exhaust gas temperature under load.

Failing Relays Mean No-Start Winter Mornings

The grid heater relay is a known weak point on these trucks. When it fails, the heater never energizes, and cold starts become long cranking sessions or no-starts entirely in freezing weather. Many owners only discover the dead relay when the first cold snap hits.

Leaking, Degraded Grid Heater Gaskets

The factory gaskets around the grid heater and intake connection harden and crack with heat cycles, causing boost leaks and oily residue around the intake horn area. A leaking grid heater seal robs boost pressure and leaves an oily mess in the engine valley.

What Can a Grid Heater Upgrade or Delete Solve?

Delete Plates Free Up the Intake Path

A 6.7 cummins grid heater delete replaces the restrictive heating element with a smooth billet plate that restores a clean, unobstructed air path from the intake horn into the cylinder head. The result is faster turbo spool, lower EGTs under load, and cleaner airflow on modified trucks.

Bypass Kits Keep Function Where Needed

For owners in moderate climates, the grid heater bypass kit reroutes the system for maximum airflow while retaining the hardware options for reinstall. It offers the airflow benefit of a delete with the flexibility to revert before winter if desired.

Heavy-Duty Relays and Gaskets Restore Reliability

Upgrading the grid heater relay with a heavy-duty unit ensures the heater gets full current every cold start, while high-temp silicone gasket sets seal the intake connection permanently. Together they fix the two most common grid heater failures without deleting anything.

Cold Weather Kits Keep Winter Starts Dependable

The cold weather grid heater kit is the choice for trucks that work through northern winters. It bundles the heating element, relay, and gaskets into one matched set so the system performs like new when temperatures plummet.

Shop 6.7 Cummins Grid Heater Upgrade by Engine & Fitment Guide

• Grid Heater Delete Kit (2010-2018), for 6.7L Cummins Dodge Ram 2500 3500, billet delete plate with gaskets and hardware for maximum intake airflow.
• Grid Heater Delete & Bypass Upgrade Kit (2013-2018), for Ram 2500 3500 6.7L Cummins, bypass configuration with easy winter revert option.
• Intake Grid Heater Upgrade (2007.5-2012), for early 6.7L Cummins Ram 2500 3500, refreshed heating system for reliable cold starts.
• Air Intake Horn with Grid Heater Delete (2013-2018), for Ram 2500 3500 6.7L Cummins, combines a high-flow intake horn with an integrated delete for the ultimate airflow upgrade.
• Heavy-Duty Grid Heater Relay Upgrade (2003-2018), for 5.9L and 6.7L Cummins Dodge Ram, high-current relay that fixes no-heat cold start failures.
• Silicone Grid Heater Gasket Set (2007.5-2018), for 6.7L Cummins Ram 2500 3500, high-temp silicone seals that stop boost leaks at the grid heater.
• Cold Weather Grid Heater Kit (2007.5-2018), for 6.7L Cummins Ram 2500 3500, complete matched heating set for dependable sub-zero starts.

Why Choose EGR Performance?

The industry standard for high-performance diesel reliability.

Premium Quality & Rigorous Testing

Our EGR, DPF, and CCV delete kits are engineered from premium-grade materials and subjected to brutal quality control and field testing. Unlike generic alternatives, our products are built to withstand extreme heat and pressure, delivering unmatched durability and long-term stability when your rig needs it most.

20 Years of Proven Diesel Expertise

We aren't just selling parts, we live this industry. With two decades of hands-on experience providing specialized modification solutions for heavy-duty truck owners, our upgrades have been extensively proven across every driving environment, from daily towing to high-performance tracks.

Industry-Leading Standards

We work hand-in-hand with top-tier industry partners and reputable organizations. Every product we design, test, and ship meets or exceeds strict industry standards, ensuring your Powerstroke, Cummins, or Duramax gets the exact precision it deserves.

Real Results, Proven Track Record

Thousands of diesel owners trust us to unlock their engine's true potential. Our massive library of positive customer feedback and successful build case studies proves one thing: our kits deliver real horsepower, lower EGTs, and flawless reliability in the real world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a grid heater delete do on a 6.7 Cummins?

A grid heater delete removes the factory heating element from the intake manifold and replaces it with a smooth billet plate. The grid sits directly in the air path, so removing it eliminates that restriction.

The result is faster turbo spool, lower EGTs under load, and cleaner airflow to the cylinder head, benefits that are most noticeable on tuned trucks and those with upgraded turbos.

Is a grid heater delete worth it on a 6.7 Cummins?

If your truck is tuned, tow-heavy, or lives in a moderate climate, most owners consider the delete worth it for the airflow and EGT benefits. The restriction removal is real and measurable.

If you regularly start the truck in sub-freezing temperatures without a block heater, think carefully. Cold starts without a functioning grid heater require long crank times and extra cranking wear in extreme cold.

Will my 6.7 Cummins start in cold weather without a grid heater?

Yes, it can start without the grid heater, but it will crank noticeably longer below roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and in extreme sub-zero conditions it may struggle without a block heater or synthetic oil.

For trucks in cold climates we recommend either keeping the grid heater upgraded with a new relay and gaskets, or using the bypass kit so you can reinstall the heater before winter.

What are the symptoms of a bad grid heater or relay on a 6.7 Cummins?

The classic symptoms are extended cranking in cold weather, no clicking relay sound at key-on when cold, and a check engine light for grid heater circuit codes.

A visual inspection of the relay and its connections usually finds corrosion or a swollen, failed relay. Replacing it with a heavy-duty unit restores reliable heater operation.

Which kit is right for my truck, upgrade or delete?

It comes down to climate and modification goals. Chasing maximum airflow on a tuned truck in a warm region: choose the delete or intake horn with integrated delete.

Working through freezing winters: choose the cold weather kit, heavy-duty relay, or gasket set to restore the factory heating system to full function. Our support team can recommend the right option for your zip code and build.

Does deleting the grid heater throw a check engine light?

On most 6.7 Cummins trucks the grid heater delete does not trigger a check engine light because the heater is an aid device, not a primary emissions control.

Some model years may store a circuit code if the heater is disconnected. The delete kit reroutes the connector so the system reads normally on the majority of trucks; check your specific year or contact support.

How long does it take to install a grid heater delete kit?

On a 2013-2018 truck the basic delete plate install is typically 2 to 3 hours with basic hand tools. You remove the intake horn, swap the plate and gaskets, and reassemble.

The intake horn with integrated delete takes slightly longer since you are replacing the horn assembly at the same time. Torque the fasteners evenly to avoid boost leaks.

Do I need new gaskets when servicing the grid heater?

Yes. The grid heater gaskets are one-time-use seals that compress on installation. Reusing old gaskets is a common cause of boost leaks and oily residue after the job.

Our high-temp silicone gasket set is designed to outlast the factory pieces and seal reliably through repeated heat cycles.

Can I reinstall the grid heater after a delete?

With the delete and bypass kit, yes. The bypass configuration is designed so the heater can be reinstalled before winter if your climate demands it.

A basic delete plate can also be reversed by reinstalling the factory heater with new gaskets. Keep the original parts if you think you may want the heater back for cold months.

What is your return policy and warranty on grid heater products?

EGR Performance offers 45-day worry-free returns and a one-year warranty on every grid heater upgrade, delete kit, relay, and gasket set we sell.

If a part does not fit your truck or arrives with any defect, contact our support team for a replacement or refund. Free shipping applies to all orders.