Swapping out your stock piece for a 6. 7 cummins billet valve cover is probably one particular of the many satisfying weekend tasks that can be done for your truck. If you've spent whenever below the hood of a Ram 2500 or even 3500, you understand exactly what I'm speaking about. The stock engine bay is definitely a mess of plastic, wires, which bulky, eyesore of the crankcase ventilation (CCV) system. While the particular 6. 7 Cummins is definitely an absolute beast of an engine, the particular aesthetic and several of the useful choices from the factory leave the lot to become preferred.
Let's be honest: nobody buys a heavy-duty diesel powered just to keep it stock. We're always looking for methods to make these types of trucks more reliable, easier to work on, and, of course, better-looking. A billet valve cover hits all three of those scars. It's not just a "pretty part"—though it definitely earns points in the particular looks department—it's a legitimate upgrade that will addresses some of the annoying eccentricities of the six. 7 platform.
Why Ditch the Factory Plastic?
The stock valve cover on a 6. 7 Cummins is made of a high-temp plastic or composite material. For a daily driver that stays completely stock and never views heavy strain, it's fine. But many people aren't just "fine" with the trucks. With time, that plastic is subjected to thousands associated with heat cycles. Ultimately, it can warp, or even worse, develop hairline cracks that prospect to annoying essential oil seeps.
Then there's the issue of the CCV filter. The particular factory setup offers that massive filtration system built right directly into the top from the valve cover. It's designed to catch oil mist and recirculate it, yet because it clogs up, it could cause improved crankcase pressure. High crankcase pressure will be bad news for your turbo closes and can actually result in oil leaks in places you really don't want them. Most 6. seven cummins billet valve cover options are made to circumvent or simplify this system, giving your own engine a much cleaner way in order to "breathe. "
The Billet Advantage
Whenever we talk about "billet, " we're talking about a part that began its life as a solid wedge of 6061-T6 lightweight aluminum. A CNC device then carves apart everything that isn't a valve cover. The result is usually a single, extremely strong piece of metal that won't warp, crack, or bend under pressure.
But it's more than simply strength. Aluminum is definitely a much much better heat conductor compared to plastic. While the particular valve cover isn't your primary chilling source, a billet cover helps dissipate some of that top-end heat. Plus, the fit and finish are usually leagues in front of anything that comes away an assembly range. When you bolt down a 6. seven cummins billet valve cover , a person can feel the quality. The tolerances are tighter, and the closing surface is properly flat, in order to lastly say goodbye in order to those mysterious essential oil films covering the side of the block.
Sorting Out the CCV Mess
One of the biggest factors guys make the switch to a billet cover is in order to deal with the particular CCV system. In case you've ever seen a 6. seven with a "CCV Filter Full" information within the dash, a person know it's the headache. Plenty of aftermarket billet covers feature internal baffling that replaces the advantages of that will bulky, expensive extra filter.
Simply by moving to some billet setup, you often gain the ability to vent the crankcase more efficiently. Whether you're running an easy vent-to-atmosphere setup or routing it directly into a high-quality catch can, a billet cover makes the domestic plumbing so much solution. Most of these types of covers come with threaded ports (usually -10 or -12 AN), so you can customize exactly just how you want your own truck to inhale and exhale. It gets free of the mess and the actual engine bay look like this actually belongs in order to a performance machine rather than the vacuum cleaner.
The "Wow" Factor
We can discuss "structural integrity" and "thermal dynamics" all day, but let's discuss the actual reason the majority of us need one: it appears incredible. The 6. 7 Cummins motor bay is notoriously cramped and protected in black plastic. Adding a 6. 7 cummins billet valve cover completely changes the vibe.
Whether you go with a raw machined finish, a vintage black anodized look, or a bright chocolate red, it will become the centerpiece of the engine. It's the first factor people notice when you pop the particular hood in a vehicle meet and even simply at the gas station. It provides the engine a rugged, industrial appearance that matches the particular power the Cummins is known for. Plus, if you've already upgraded your own piping or turbo, a billet valve cover is the "cherry on top" that ties the whole build together.
Installation Facts
If you're worried about the install, don't be. Swapping the valve cover on the 6. 7 isn't rocket science, although it does require a bit of patience. The hardest component is usually simply clearing a path. You've got fuel lines, wiring makes use of, and some brackets that need to be moved out of the particular way.
The beauty of a high-quality 6. seven cummins billet valve cover is the fact that it's made to be considered an immediate fit. Most of them use the factory-style gasket or even come with their personal high-end O-ring close off. You just have to make sure your own mating surface on the head will be hospital-clean before you fall the new 1 on.
One tip: whilst you're in generally there, it's an excellent time to examine your injector harnesses. Since you've already done the work to get the cover off, a person might as well create sure everything otherwise looks solid. Once that billet cover is bolted straight down, you probably won't would like to take it off once again for a lengthy time.
Is definitely It Worth the particular Investment?
I won't sugarcoat it—billet aluminum isn't cheap. You're going in order to pay significantly more for a 6. 7 cummins billet valve cover than you would for any replacement plastic material one from the particular dealer. However you possess to look with it being a "one and done" investment. You buy this particular part once, and it lasts for the life of the truck. You aren't replacing filters each 50, 000 kilometers, and you aren't worrying about breaks or leaks lower the road.
For the men who are pushing increased boost levels or even running upgraded turbos, the factory plastic material cover can actually become a weak point. Below high-stress conditions, the particular extra vibration and heat can accelerate the failure from the stock parts. Shifting to billet is simply cheap insurance for any very expensive motor.
Choosing the Right One
When you start shopping for the six. 7 cummins billet valve cover , you'll see the few different ones. A few are "low user profile, " which is excellent if you're trying to clear custom piping or a massive aftermarket turbo. Other medication is designed in order to look as close up to the manufacturing plant shape as feasible but in steel form.
The most important thing to look regarding is the baffling. You don't want a hollow box; you want a cover that has a well-engineered inner baffle system in order to keep oil within the engine while allowing the air pressure out. If the particular cover doesn't have got good baffling, a person might find yourself pushing more essential oil out of your vent outlines than you'd such as. Stick with brands that will have a great reputation in the diesel-powered community—you want something which has been examined on real trucks, not only something that will looks pretty on a shelf.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, upgrading in order to a 6. 7 cummins billet valve cover will be about pride associated with ownership as much as it really is about performance. It's one particular of those modifications that satisfies each the "form" plus "function" areas of your own brain. Your motor runs better since it's breathing simpler and sealing tighter, and it looks a thousand times much better every time you open up the hood.
If you're tired of taking a look at that dusty black plastic material or you're given up with "CCV Filter Full" text messages, it may be time to pull the cause. It's a solid evening in the garage area that results within a permanent upgrade you'll appreciate every period you hear that Cummins inline-six roar to life. Regardless of whether you're building the dedicated tow rig, a drag vehicle, or just a really nice daily drivers, billet is the strategy to use.