Ive seen quite an interesting item on ebay called an egr cheater.It looks like a square box thats hard wired and connects between the egr actuator and MAF.It also comes with a blanking plate.40 odd quid.Any thoughts? im getting concerned about the sludge in the inlet manifold on mine now and how it can gum the swirl flaps up.
Thoughts???

Not heard/seen one of these before but I guess this is what it is doing:

Takes the EGR signal and then uses this to lower the MAF. Reasoning. EGR flow is not directly measured. I EGR flow is assessed/calculated by looking at the drop in main air flow.

Not sure why the blanking plate is required because if the EGR solenoid is un-coupled from the valve body then the EGR valve will be always closed.

I think as a procaution.