‘04 Block off EGR

[FaceDeAce]

Well folks it is 2026 and that old 2004 Ram 1500 with 5.7 is still going. Now still zooming around scaring women and children at 340K on the odo.

For the past while it has been getting a bit sluggish at low rpms on inclines. I suspect either it is getting tired or that original EGR valve is failing. Unplugged the problem goes away. Plugged it gets boggy below half throttle on slight hills.

So I figure the EGR is the primary culprit. There are no codes for it in the obd.

What I would like to do is just put a blinding plate between the valve and the port on the head. Leave the valve in place and the electrical plugged. In this way there will be no exhaust going back to the intake, and no tuning will be necessary because the valve is still physically there and electrics plugged in so the pcm still sees it.

My question is: has this method been done by anyone here? What are pros / cons of ditching the recirc?

PS - I do not care nor am I bound to any emissions related regs in my area.

 

[FaceDeAce]

No thoughts or comments?
I'll just give it a go when I get back from my current haulin' trip.

 

[Wild one]

No thoughts or comments?
I'll just give it a go when I get back from my current haulin' trip.

Keep a very close eye on the plugs,as it'll run noticably leaner air/fuel ratio's with out the egr,if it's dangerously lean,your spark plugs will show it first.

 

[HemiLonestar]

It will more than likely affect driveability. Better to remove it completely and then tune it out.

 

[FaceDeAce]

If the PCM is doing its thing properly to constantly adjusting fuel trims based off of the O2 feedback loop, then I am having a hard time stringing together how it could or would run lean for more than the first couple of short drive cycles.

 

[Wild one]

If the PCM is doing its thing properly to constantly adjusting fuel trims based off of the O2 feedback loop, then I am having a hard time stringing together how it could or would run lean for more than the first couple of short drive cycles.

I'm guessing you don't really know how or what the egr system does in regards to air/fuel ratios.The putor can compensate somewhat,but not enough to cover removing the egr (exhaust gas recirculation) system.You should have it tuned to richen up the air/fuel ratio to compensate for the extra oxygen.
If you block it off with a plate,get in the habit of pulling several spark plugs fairly often,and looking at them very close with a magnifying glass under bright light,if you see any shiny little specs on the porcellicin,you'll know your burning up the pistons.If you don't know how to read plugs,start googling how to read them,as there's lot of articles and probably video's floating around that'll teach you how to read them.


Yes, removing the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system on a 6.4L Hemi Ram 2500 can cause the engine to run with a leaner air-fuel ratio (more air, less fuel) if not accompanied by a proper tune. [1, 2]
Because the EGR system introduces inert exhaust gas into the intake, removing it increases the oxygen concentration in the combustion chamber. Without tuning, the stock computer may not adjust for this extra air, leading to a leaner condition. [1, 2]
Key Impacts of EGR Removal on a 6.4L Hemi:

• Lean Condition: The EGR normally reduces the amount of oxygen in the cylinder. Removing it makes the intake charge more oxygen-rich, which can result in higher combustion temperatures and a leaner mixture. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• Performance Issues: Without reprogramming the ECM, removing the EGR can result in a lethargic engine response, or in some cases, "surging". [1]
• Engine Damage Risks: Because of the leaner mixture and higher temperatures, there is a risk of increased engine knocking and higher EGTs (exhaust gas temperatures), which can shorten engine life. [1]
• PCM Confusion: The 6.4L gasoline engine is designed with specific programming that accounts for the exhaust gas recirculation. Deleting the EGR can cause the PCM to get confused, often requiring a tuner to properly recalibrate the engine's air-fuel calculations. [1, 2]

 

[Harry Paratestes]

Why is it that my 03 Hemi's dont have an egr from the factory? Are they tuned more rich than 04+ that came from the factory without them?

Also if I were to block off the EGR in my 04 and 05's who can tune them for a reasonable rate? Is there a tuner I can buy or is this a custom tune needed?

 

[FaceDeAce]

My truck is not the 6.4 referenced. It is a 2004 5.7 Ram. Completely different beast.
Yes I know what the erg is and what it does.
Yes I know how to read spark plugs.
If the PCM is able to constantly (x times a second) and accurately self-tune injector rates to keep STFT and LTFT in range with the egr, then why wouldn’t it be able to do so without the egr?
I see no point 3rd party tuning rich because as soon as it is running closed loop off of the O2 sensors it will compensate to self tune the STFT and LTFT.

Why does an ‘03 not have egr but an ‘04 does? What else would be different.

 

[Harry Paratestes]

My truck is not the 6.4 referenced. It is a 2004 5.7 Ram. Completely different beast.
Yes I know what the erg is and what it does.
Yes I know how to read spark plugs.
If the PCM is able to constantly (x times a second) and accurately self-tune injector rates to keep STFT and LTFT in range with the egr, then why wouldn’t it be able to do so without the egr?
I see no point 3rd party tuning rich because as soon as it is running closed loop off of the O2 sensors it will compensate to self tune the STFT and LTFT.

Why does an ‘03 not have egr but an ‘04 does? What else would be different.

I dont know. None of my 03s have it, they didnt come from factory like that. 03s also only have 1 cat and 2 o2 sensors instead of 04+ having 2 cats and 4 o2 sensors. Its kind of nice having less to maintain or break to be honest.

 

[Recoil]

Why does an ‘03 not have egr but an ‘04 does? What else would be different.

The tune.