Nissan Titan XD Delete Kit: 2016-2019 5.0L Cummins Buyer's Guide

Which Delete Kit Fits Your 2016-2019 Titan XD?

The Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins Full Delete Bundle fits 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Nissan Titan pickups with the 5.0 Cummins. The Ez Lynk Auto Agent 3 for Nissan Titan 5.0L Cummins fits the same 2016 through 2019 Titan pickups. The Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins EGR & Down-Pipe Delete Kit fits 2016-2019 Titan Cummins pickups as well.

Here's the lineup side by side. Find your year, then read across before you go any further.

Checking the model year on your own truck

Start with the truck, not your memory. Confirm the model year from the truck itself before a single wrench comes out, because a wrong year turns into a crate of parts that won't bolt up. Picked the truck up secondhand? Check it twice.

We get it. This step feels like busywork when the parts are already on their way, but a quick look with a flashlight beats a weekend of sending parts back.

Why every tune is built for one VIN

Now for the full kit. It fits 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Nissan Titan pickups with the 5.0 Cummins, and tunes are VIN-specific.^[1]

That last clause is the one people skim right past. Think of a VIN-specific tune like a key cut for one lock. Keep your VIN handy, right next to your model year, because you'll want both in front of you for the rest of this guide.

Pickups only

Here's the thing — the model year is only half the question. Now the tuner. Fits 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Nissan Titan pickups only, with VIN-specific tunes.^[2]

And the standalone EGR kit? This is compatible with the 2016–2019 Nissan Titan Cummins pickup models only.^[3]

Whatever your Titan is built for, from trail rig to sled-pull project, read that word pickup twice. If yours isn't one, stop right here.

What Comes in the Titan 5.0 Cummins Full Delete Bundle?

The Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins Full Delete Bundle includes a Delete Pipe/Exhaust. The Nissan Titan Unlock Cable For EZ Lynk 3.0 also comes in the bundle. The tuner in the box is the EZ Lynk Auto Agent 3.0 Tuner, with all required accessories and a rotary switch to change power levels. An optional EGR Delete kit joins them when you add one.

Here's the box, laid out so you can tick off each line when it lands on the porch. Keep this list handy for unboxing day.

Read it back in plain English. You get the Auto Agent 3.0 and all accessories with a rotary switch, the delete pipe, the required Nissan Titan Unlock Cable for EZ Lynk 3.0, and an optional EGR delete kit if you add it.^[1] Let's break it down, one line at a time.

The tuner and rotary switch

Think of the tuner as the brains of the operation and the pipe as the muscle. The rotary switch is the part you'll end up reaching for once the build is dialed in. What the tuner actually does gets its own section below, so for now, just make sure it and its switch both made it into the box.

The delete pipe

Here's where your truck changes the most. The bundle permanently upgrades your truck to run without the emissions system, which means removing the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), DEF tank (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), EGR system (Exhaust Gas Recirculation), and CAT for good.^[1]

Deleting the factory emissions system that's been suffocating your diesel makes a night-and-day difference.^[1] Where the pipe actually sits, and what it bolts to, gets its own walk-through further down.

The unlock cable

It looks like an afterthought. It isn't. Keep it bagged with the tuner and don't toss a scrap of packaging until you've laid eyes on it, because the reason this truck needs it comes up in the very next section.

The optional EGR kit

Notice the word optional on that last line of the table? That's a real decision, and it's worth sitting with for a minute. Whether your build wants it gets a full answer two sections down.

Running a pulling truck that sees hard passes every weekend? Keep that in the back of your mind when you get there.

What Does the EZ Lynk Auto Agent 3.0 Do on a Titan?

The EZ Lynk Auto Agent 3.0 delete tuner is built for the 2016-2019 Nissan Titan 5.0L Cummins. The EZ Lynk Auto Agent 3.0 handles the ECM side through cloud-based tuning, so you plug in and tune with no ECM removal.^[1] The tune shuts off DPF, EGR, DEF, CAT, SCR, DOC, and EGT monitoring, so there's no limp mode and no "See Dealer" messages.^[2]

If the pipe is the muscle, this is the brains. It's also where the whole build either comes together or falls flat.

Power levels from your phone

This is the fun part. The EZ Lynk Auto Agent 3.0 delete tuner for 2016–2019 Nissan Titan 5.0L Cummins removes every emissions-related code from your V8 diesel's ECM and gives you five power levels with Shift on the Fly — all controlled from your phone.^[2]

Picture it between rounds at the sled pull, phone in hand, picking how hard you want the next pass to hit. On a truck that's already a workhorse, that kind of control is a game-changer.

Why the Titan needs its own unlock cables

A lot of guys assume any tuner plugs straight into any truck. Here's how this one handles it. It uses Titan-specific unlock cables because these trucks need a proprietary connection for tuning, and those cables are included.^[2]

The good news? That's one less thing to chase down in the middle of an install.

Before you plug it in

Charge your phone, dig out your VIN and give yourself a quiet spot where the truck can sit undisturbed. Rushing this part is how a good afternoon goes sideways. Read the install order section below before you start, because the sequence matters more than any single step.

Got a buddy who has done this before? Keep them on standby. A second set of eyes on the screen never hurts.

Do You Need the EGR Delete Kit Too?

The EGR on the Titan 5.0 Cummins re-routes hot exhaust gases back into the engine, and over time that means soot buildup and stuck valves.^[3] You still have to physically delete the DPF; EGR removal is optional but highly recommended.^[2] The Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins EGR & Down-Pipe Delete Kit includes all hardware and gaskets.

Short answer: it depends on how far you want to take the build. Let's walk through both sides.

What the EGR does on the 5.0 Cummins

Picture a strong runner forced to breathe back his own exhaust, lap after lap. The Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins EGR & Down-Pipe Delete Kit for 2016–2019 removes the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system from your Titan — ending the soot buildup, clogged EGR valves, and hot exhaust gas recirculation on an otherwise capable V8 diesel.^[3] That's the problem in a nutshell.

Leaving the EGR in place

Now for the guys who'd rather keep things simple. The EGR kit isn't mandatory, since the tune turns the EGR off and keeps the valve closed, so you can leave it in place and unplug the sensors without issues, though adding the kit can improve performance and longevity.^[1]

That's a fair call on a budget build, and there's no shame in it. You can always circle back later.

What the EGR kit adds

Want the EGR gone for good instead of just switched off? This is a complete EGR delete kit with a down-pipe that physically eliminates the EGR system, and it includes all the hardware and gaskets along with instructions.^[3]

Think of it as pulling the stump instead of mowing over it every season. For a build you plan to keep for the long haul, that's where we'd lean.

Why the EGR kit still needs the tune

Here's where a lot of guys get caught out: they figure the kit on its own finishes the job. You'll also need a compatible delete tune alongside it — pulling the hardware without turning the EGR functions off in the ECM will trigger check engine lights and performance issues, so confirm tune compatibility before you order.^[3]

Hold that thought. It comes back in a big way when we get to install order.

Where Does the Delete Pipe Go on a Titan?

The DPF/CAT delete pipe isn't a full exhaust system, it only replaces the section of your factory exhaust that contains the emissions parts, specifically the "CAT" and the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Those are the two barrel shaped parts in your exhaust near the middle of your truck.

If you were picturing a full system in the box, reset that picture now. It'll save you some head-scratching once you're under the truck.

Finding the CAT and DPF under the truck

Get the truck up on solid stands and slide under with a good light. Follow the exhaust back from the engine and you'll spot them without much hunting. Snap a photo of the factory layout before anything comes loose, because you'll thank yourself later.

Where the pipe connects

Now look at the ends. The front end of the delete pipe connects to your down-pipe and the tail end of the delete pipe connects to the tail pipe, just before the bend over the rear axle.

Soak those factory clamps and bolts with penetrant the night before. Rusted hardware is how a quick job turns into an all-day job.

Diameter and fit

Worried about adapters or a pipe that almost lines up? The delete pipe is the same diameter of your factory exhaust system, so it will be a perfect fit. The delete pipe handles the hardware side and bolts in with no welding.^[1]

Please keep note that this will only work on pickup models. Snug everything up loosely first, check that the hangers line up, then tighten it all down for the long haul.

Tools that make this easier

Have a floor jack, solid stands, penetrant and a decent socket set within reach before you start. A second set of hands helps too, especially when it's time to wrestle the old section down and the new one up.

What Order Should You Install the Parts In?

All delete kit instructions will be sent to you via email post purchase. Tune your truck before removing the hard parts. Hook up a Battery Charger and set it to 10A. Plug the EZ-Lynk into your OBDII port under the dash. The EZ LYNK only needs to be plugged in while you install your tunes or make changes.

Get the sequence wrong and you'll know about it fast. Get the sequence right and the rest is just wrenching.

What arrives after you order

Your inbox does some of the work before the truck does. After purchase you'll get a vehicle information form to fill out.^[2]

Fill it out the day it lands, with the VIN and model year you already checked at the start of this guide. Double-check every digit before you hit send, and keep that email where you can find it with greasy hands.

Tune first, then the hardware

Itching to rip the hardware off this weekend and sort the tune out later? Don't. Do it the other way round and you're asking for a bad afternoon.

Think of it like pouring the foundation before you frame the walls. Foundation first, walls second, every single time.

We get it, the hardware is the exciting part. Patience here pays you back later.

Setting up for the flash

Park the truck somewhere it can sit undisturbed, and get the charger hooked up before anything else. Keep your phone charged too. A flash that dies halfway through is a headache nobody needs.

Once the flash is done, take a breath before the wrenches come out. Keep your phone and your VIN handy in case you want to make a change later.

What Does the Titan EGR Kit Swap Involve?

All the hardware and gaskets for this swap come in the Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins EGR & Down-Pipe Delete Kit. It's a DIY-friendly install that comes with everything you need.^[3] Take off the Cold side Inter cooler line. Take off the Factory coolant line from EGR to the Holding tank. Reinstall the intercooler pipe, hook up sensors and batteries, then add coolant. Test start and run for 10 mins.

Buckle up — this is real wrenching under the hood, and it rewards a patient pace. Lay out a drain pan, a good socket set and plenty of rags before the first bolt turns.

The lines that come off first

Have the drain pan in place before you crack any coolant line. Go slow, keep track of which line went where, and label them if you have to.

Pulling the EGR out

This is where the job gets physical. Pulling the EGR and the charge pipe will take a pry bar. Now take off that back heat shield from the up pipes to give space for removal of pipes.

Moving the factory sensors

Don't toss anything you unplug. You can now install your Factory map sensor and air temp sensor into the new charge pipe!

Bag and label every bolt as it comes off. Future you will be grateful when it's time to button everything back up.

The first start-up

Before you turn the key, go back over every clamp and every coolant connection you touched, and check your coolant level. Stuck on a step? Call (888) 830-2588 for support.^[2]

Then fire it up and watch for leaks the whole time it runs. A slow drip now is a lot easier to fix than a puddle later.

Once it has cooled down, go back under the hood and recheck every clamp and fitting. Then check the coolant level one more time before the truck heads back onto the trailer.

Which Titan Delete Kit Should You Order?

For a 2016-2019 Titan pickup with the 5.0L Cummins, the Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins Full Delete Bundle is the kit to order. The bundle runs $2,309.00 to $3,135.00. The Ez Lynk Auto Agent 3 for Nissan Titan 5.0L Cummins on its own is $1,824.00. The Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins EGR & Down-Pipe Delete Kit on its own is $699.00.

Let's make the call. Here's how we'd rank them for your truck.

The whole job: the bundle

Want it done once and done right? The Nissan Titan 5.0 Cummins Full Delete Bundle for 2016–2019 removes the entire factory emissions stack in one complete kit, with the tuner, delete pipe, and the required Nissan Titan Unlock Cable all matched for your V8 diesel.^[1]

That's our first pick for most Titan builds, and it's not close. Bang for your buck, it's the one we'd point a buddy toward.

On the fence between this and piecing the job together yourself? Ask how much you enjoy chasing parts, because most of us would rather spend that time wrenching.

The tuner on its own

Already sorted on the exhaust side? For a 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019 Nissan Titan 5.0L Cummins owner who wants the tuner alone, the Ez Lynk Auto Agent 3 for Nissan Titan 5.0L Cummins is the part to order.

Just remember the install order from earlier still applies, start to finish. Skipping ahead is never worth it.

What the EGR kit costs on its own

Leaving the EGR in place for now? The kit can wait until the next round of upgrades on your build. When it's time, reread the EGR section above before you start, and you'll be in good shape.