Mr Gonads - Never cleaned one out, I know it's a popular mod to blank it off. Didn't know there was any particular issue with them actually requiring cleaning, though. You saying worth me giving it a clean out? Surely something that can be safely blanked wouldnt matter if it were blocked by gunk instead?
To Bojan, sorry. I agree if you discard the EGR completely, then a thick plate will be helpful, yes, and no heat - But Frostbite said "plus the valve is still in place to look nice" In this case the common mod is to undo the EGR, put in a blanking plate, then refit the EGR. In such case theres exhaust gases hitting the blanking plate, and it would ideally do to be fairly thick.
I think some of us are talking about cars with completely removed EGRs, and some about EGRS still fitted, but with blanking plates in.