SEMA 2025: Melling DOD-delete kit Includes Emissions Tuning

Melling has been producing the hard parts for a DOD-delete kit on Gen IV and Gen V 5.3-liter LS and LT engines for quite a while. But those kits always had a missing link: the tuning. That was always a “figure it out yourself” situation for the customer, which often meant hunting down a tuner or risking a check engine light. Well, that era is officially over as of the 2025 SEMA Show. Melling is now rolling out their full lineup of Displacement on Demand, Active Fuel Management, and Dynamic Fuel Management delete kits with the tuning actually included in the box.

melling's dod-delete kit (2) — You can see the card next to the cam. That emissions certification is a big part of the kit.

A Solid Mechanical Foundation

As you would expect, the hardware in the box is top-notch. The package features a DOD-delete camshaft, which is a mild, stock-replacement grind perfect for a daily driver or work truck. To replace the problematic DOD lifters, Melling swaps in a set of their 0.842-inch hydraulic roller lifters. This isn’t just deleting a complex failure point; it’s a legitimate quality upgrade over the stock pieces.

melling's dod-delete kit — The Melling-specific HPT Tuners RTD flash tool allows you to upload an emissions-legal DOD-delete tune to your vehicle.

The DOD-delete Kit Components

Melling knows you don’t want to drop fresh parts into worn-out guides, so the kits include new lifter trays. After all, what good are brand-new lifters if they are slop-fitting in old plastic? A new front thrust plate is also part of the deal, along with a VVT oil control valve if your specific application requires it. It is a complete mechanical overhaul in one package.

SEMA-certified Tuning

The heavy hitter here is the inclusion of the HP Tuners RTD flash tool. It comes preloaded with a Melling-specific tune to handle the deletion. The reason this is so special is that the kit, along with the tune, carries SEMA emissions certification. That certification from SEMA Garage for the MDK300 and MDK400 Gen IV and Gen V kits means you don’t have to sweat a trip to the smog shop just because you wanted a more reliable valvetrain.

melling's dod-delete kit (3) — The all-in-one emissions-legal DOD-delete kit from Melling took home some hardware at the SEMA Show.

Reliability Without the Headache

These new packages finally let you fix the known weak points of the LS or LT valvetrain while staying on the right side of the law. It solves the massive headache of sourcing a tuner and worrying about environmental authorities. It’s a reliability issue that Melling, HP Tuners, and SEMA Garage teamed up to eliminate, keeping your daily driver or tow rig running without the stress.