Only the late model 04 and up use standpipes and dummy plugs and if you have the round EGR cooler and it is not leaking then you have nothing to worry about there. The best thing you can do is get yourself some gauges that read live data like the scan gauge II so you can keep an eye on things.

 

From what I understand with an 03 you don't need to upgrade. The stand pipe/dummy plug o-ring issue is only with the second generation 04.5 and later engines.

Brian

 

The info was very help full. We are replacing head gaskets so new and improved egr cooler from bullet proof will be mounted. Again thank you. Also trying to find a stud kit without them next.

 

i have a 2006 6.0 just clicked 200k prior to this i have had a edge tuner on it since it had 54k on it i have went through 1 turbo 1 egr cooler one oil cooler fuel pump (lift) one radiator one set of ficm capacitors one instrument cluster sent off for repair 3 rear ends self inflicted i don't count those because they all broke while i was playing around with my tuner turned up one drive shaft assembly 900.00 custom made 1 set of stand pipes and dummy plugs and 1 injector 1 cam and 1 crank sensor and i tow with it weekly anything from a my car hauler to my tractor at least weekly I have came across a set of scales at a scrap yard in Conway SC weighting 24200 lbs way over loaded other than the normal maintenance no problems now when it turned 190k i have had to replace the a/c compressor labor guide is wrong unless u drill a 1 inch hole in frame and dryer and orifice tube i did a egr delete cooler started leaking again the transmission i changed fluid every 40k on it just for a FYI don't forget the transmission filter on passenger frame rail up front ok now lets get started at 192k my transmission went out that was 1500.00 i built it my self put all good hardened and Kevlar parts in it and billet converter the body bushings started knocking replaced them 300$ i started to notice that my oil temperature versus my coolant temp was over 10 degrees difference so i went ahead and replace the oil cooler with a aftermarket high flow and new injector wiring harness new glow plugs and new harness while doing so it started having a hard start afterwards after digging into the problem found the stand pipes had came apart so i ordered some performance stand pipes and dummy plugs also replace the nipples with new upgraded nipples and o-rings ok problem solved right nope all with in 2 days of replace the oil cooler stand pipes nipples it started to over heat couldn't hear the cooling fan coming on anymore clutch fan has stopped working Im ordering the parts for a 7.3 conversion on the fan also the thermostat has began to stick or not open all the way replacing it tomorrow day off the gem has module had been on the fritz so i have one of those on the way as well so with everything said and done with me being a mechanic so labor is on me prior to 200k i have spent approx 3k on this great beast of a truck no with it clicking over to the 200k mark i have spent approx $2500 and the dam ball joint's are still good now it has not been bullet proofed it has a lift with 37 x12.50x20 tires small lift 4 inch exhaust turbo back with duels and muffler and i still have the same edge juice programmer i am PROUND to say i have a 6.0l power stroke