The 7 Best Performance Upgrades for 5.7 HEMI RAM 1500 Truck
If you are looking for the best upgrades that will take your 5.7 HEMI RAM 1500 up a notch in performance and fuel efficiency, look no further than this guide!
We’ve compiled all of our favorite mods into one place, so it’s easy to find what fits perfectly with how YOU want YOUR truck performed AND saved money at THE same time, too – talk about an unbeatable combo (or call us lazy). Our list includes everything from exhaust systems & cold air intakes right through suspension kits, superchargers, and more; there really isn’t anything we don
So, without further ado, let’s look at the best performance upgrades for your 5.7 HEMI RAM 1500 truck.
Here are the 7 best performance upgrade mods for the 5.7 HEMI RAM 1500 truck
1. Exhaust Systems
An aftermarket exhaust system is one of the best ways to improve your truck’s performance. A good exhaust system will not only increase power and torque but will also improve fuel economy. If you’re looking for an exhaust system that offers the best performance, we recommend the Stainless Works 3-Inch S-Tube Turbo Dual Exhaust System.
This system is designed specifically for 2009-18 5.7L RAM 1500 trucks and is made from high-quality 304 Stainless Steel 3″ Tubing, and TIG-welding. It also features two 3″ Polished Exhaust Tips and a Crossover X-Pipe for a smoother sound. It has under bumper exit.
Performance gain: 15-20% up
Cost: $2000 max
DIY Level: Intermediate
2. Cold Air Intakes
Another great way to improve your truck’s performance is by installing a cold air intake. A cold air intake will increase airflow to the engine, which makes it easy for your engine to breathe, resulting in improved power, torque, and efficiency. It will also improve throttle response and make your engine sound more growling and muscular. We advise installing a K&N cold air intake kit for max performance. It is dyno-tested to improve airflow by up to 50% over restrictive factory air filters and intake tubes. K&N is made from high-density polyethylene material and comes with an oiled 4-layer cotton filter system. It’s also easy to install and will increase your truck’s horsepower by up to 15-20 HP. So if you’re looking for an easy and effective way to improve your truck’s performance, a cold air intake is the best choice. Check out the best cold air intake for your HEMI charger here.
Performance gain: Upto 15-20HP, Engine protection
Cost: $500
DIY Level: Beginner/ Easy
3. Suspension Kits
Suspension upgrades are the way to go if you’re looking for better handling and a smoother ride. Suspension kits will improve your truck’s ride quality and handling, making driving more comfortable. It will also improve traction and stability, especially when cornering. For the best performance, we recommend the MaXpeedingRods Air Suspension Kit. It’s a complete air suspension kit with everything you need to improve your truck’s ride quality and handling. The kit includes air springs, shocks, struts, and all the necessary hardware for installation. It is adjustable from 50-290 PSI and has a maximum load capacity of 5000 lbs. With this kit, you’ll be able to take on any road confidently.
Performance gain: +0 HP, Increased comfort
Cost: $200-$400
DIY Level: Intermediate
4. Performance Cam
Time to replace that stock camshaft because a performance cam will increase power and torque while also improving fuel economy. It’s a great way to extract more energy from your engine without making other modifications.
Our pick on performance cam? The Comp Cams 201-300-17 NSR HRT. It’s a high-performance camshaft compatible with the 5.7L HEMI engine of your RAM 1500 trucks. It’s available in three stage variants (1, 2, and 3) that deliver horsepower gains ranging from +61 to +105HP. The camshaft has a lobe separation angle (LSA) of 114-116 degrees and operates in the impressive 1,700-7500 RPM range. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a noticeable power and torque boost. More on top performance cams for 5.7 HEMI here.
Performance gain: up to +105 HP
Cost: $500
DIY level: Expert
5. Aftermarket Headers
Another option to get a power boost is performance Headers. Unlike stock headers, these headers are designed to optimize airflow and improve exhaust scavenging. This results in increased power and torque and improved fuel economy. Not to mention, your engine will sound more growling and muscular. If you’re looking for the best performance, we recommend the Stainless Works 1-7/8-Inch Long tube headers with Catted Leads. They’re made from high-quality TIG-welded 304 Stainless Steel and feature 1-7/8″ primary tubing size and 3″ catted leads. It boasts high-flow catalytic converters and has a milled finish. With these headers, you can expect an increase in power of up to 15 HP. Shorty headers, which are cheaper, are also available, but the performance gain is not that much. If you have low ground clearance, then shorty is the way. We have a dedicated post for best performance headers for Dodge Charger over here.
Performance gain: up to +15 HP
Cost: up to $2000
DIY level: Intermediate
6. Tuner or Programmer
A tuner or programmer is a must-have if you want to take full control of your truck’s performance. With a tuner or programmer, you can change the parameters of your engine to extract more power and torque. You can also adjust the shift points of your transmission for quicker and smoother shifts. And best of all, you can monitor and record all your truck’s vital engine data.
For the best performance, we recommend the ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner. It’s a highly sophisticated yet straightforward engine computer programmer compatible with 5.7L HEMI RAM 1500 trucks. It has increased memory and a faster processor for improved tuning and updating. Plus, the 2.8″ HD color screen with an updated interface makes it easier for modifications. With the ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner, you can expect average gains in excess of 30 HP/40 ft.-lbs. for gas and 80 HP/150 ft.-lbs. diesel. The detailed guide for the best tuner/programmer for 5.7 HEMI engines is here.
Performance gain: up to +30 HP/40 ft.-lbs. to +80 HP/150 ft.-lbs.
Cost: $400
DIY level: Beginner/Easy
7. Optional: Superchargers
If you’re looking for the ultimate performance upgrade for your 5.7 HEMI RAM 1500, then a supercharger is the way to go. Superchargers are designed to force more air into the engine, which increases power and torque. They also improve throttle response and make your engine sound more aggressive. Our recommended supercharger kit is the Procharger High Output Intercooled Supercharger Kit. It comes with a P-1SC-1 supercharger, an intercooler, and all the necessary hardware for installation. It’s also designed specifically for 2009-2018 5.7L RAM 1500 trucks. With this kit, you can expect more than +130 Horsepower gain with only a 7psi increase. So if you’re looking for the best way to take your truck’s performance to the next level, a supercharger kit is irreplaceable. The one apparent reason for a supercharger to be an optional upgrade in our list is that it might void the warranty of your engine. And of course, it is pretty expensive. Learn the A-B-C of supercharging a vehicle in this post.
Performance Gain: +130 HP
Cost: $6000-$7000
DIY Level: Expert
Over to you!
There you have it, the best performance upgrades for 5.7 HEMI RAM 1500 trucks. With these upgrades, you can expect more power, torque, and improved throttle response. You can also control your truck’s performance with a tuner or programmer. And if you’re looking for the ultimate performance upgrade, a supercharger kit is the ultimate option. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start upgrading your truck today. And if you aren’t ready to spend thousands on upgrades yet, then this HEMI MPG improvement guide will come in handy.
With this covered, let’s examine some popular questions regarding HEMI truck performance.
FAQs: Best performance upgrades for 5.7 HEMI RAM 1500
How much horsepower can you add to a 5.7 Hemi?
Well, if you go by the route of aftermarket mods, there’s enormous scope to play with. For instance, A tuner alone can add up to 30HPs or more. But by stock engine stuff, the max HP addition might not be more than 15-20HPs.
How can I make my 5.7 Hemi faster?
There are a few ways to make your 5.7 Hemi faster. You can install an aftermarket cold air intake which will help the engine breathe better and make more power. You can also install a cat-back exhaust system to reduce back pressure and help the engine expel spent gases more efficiently. All in all, just follow this performance upgrade guide above.
How much HP does a cold air intake add?
A cold air intake will add around 5-15 HP on average. But it really depends on your truck and what other mods you have. For instance, a CAI might add up to 10 HP if you have a stock truck. But the HP gain might be more if you have a car with other mods like a cat-back exhaust.
