The link above for vac to pressure wastegate is a great mod.

Also forum member rollguy has a blankoff plate kit for the EGR valve. You are correct about the egr valve gunking up the intake. Definitely remove but only if you don't need it for inspection (you mentioned VA so not sure about the inspections there).

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech