I recently purchased a new Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. For the most part, I'm pleased with the way that it tows our 28 ft travel trailer. But naturally, I'm thinking that it could probably do better. What I would like to know, is there anyone out there who has one of these trucks and has added any performance accessories such as dual exhaust, cold air intake, or power programmer? And if so, What did you add, what brand was it and what were your results? In doing some shopping around, especially with the power programmers, there are quite a few brands to choose from and I want to make sure that if I do any performance upgrades, I get the best bang for my buck. Any help would be appreciated.
2008 Dodge Big Horn 1500
2008 Starcraft Starstream 28RBS
Minnie and Ginger (the wiener dogs)
Navy veteran
Been asked many times, the consensus is that for gas engines, particularly the MDS Hemi that you probably have, Dodge got it about dead on right. If you are feeling a little to heavy, then going to a higher diff ratio is probably the best move. I run at 16K total with my Hemi, and feel that's about as far as you could go without 4.11 gears.
Brian
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Hemi, 5 speed manual, 3.73 gears, Tow Beast hitch with 24" extension.
28 ft race car hauler, Lola T440 Formula Ford, NTM MK4 Sports Racer
2004 Travel Hawk 8' Truck Camper - Roll at 16K combined weight
The Hemi powered Dodge Ram comes factory equipped with a cold air intake and a free flowing 3" exhaust with dual free flowing cats. Any gains you "might" see with aftermarket noise and wow gimmicks will be at wide open throttle over 5k rpm where we will likely never see towing unless you're overweight in the mountains. Even at 17,000 lbs GCW I seldom see over 4500rpm and even then it's at part throttle using gear reduction to multiply torque so peak hp isn't needed. Performance programs like Superchips make it feel like you have gobs of added power mostly by humping up the voltage ramp from the throttle position sensor so at 1/2~ throttle you're actually feeding 3/4~ throttle voltage to the PCM. You can do the same thing with your foot but it's a mental thing. Again the extra power is a full throttle high rpm. However, since we human being are more about image and perception than reality, IF loud exhaust, howling intake or throttle position trickery makes you perceive more power, then the aftermarket product is worth every penny. Not the mention the stickers for the windows!
If you want to bolt on some real power, a turbo charger or belt driven blower kit will set you back about $2500 or more but kiss longevity goodbye. Nitrous injection is cheaper and will make your truck scream but same results on longevity. If you're going to spend a heap of money to force more torque and HP out of the SB Hemi, my vote would be to trade for a Cummins powered HD. I've owned four. From the factory you'll have way more torque than you'll ever squeeze out of the SB Hemi without major mods and reliability issues. And the factory C on the side of the truck is way more impressive and classy than stickers in the windows IMHO.
'05 2500HD Dodge 5.7L Hemi 5spd auto/3.73 SLT. 93k miles
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins
'07 KZ Jag 28JFSS.
Bumpy, I was concerned about voiding the warranty, so last week when my truck was in for service, I asked the guys in the service department at the dealership about it. And they told me that as long as it was a plug and play device,(in regards to the power tuners) it wouldn't void the warranty. You couldn't add anything that involved splicing of wires.
Cup fan wrote: Bumpy, I was concerned about voiding the warranty, so last week when my truck was in for service, I asked the guys in the service department at the dealership about it. And they told me that as long as it was a plug and play device,(in regards to the power tuners) it wouldn't void the warranty. You couldn't add anything that involved splicing of wires.
get that IN WRITING before you do anything at all. Their word is worthless.
bumpy
If I was going to add anything to it it would be the MOPAR stuff and pay the dealer to do it. And make sure you get it in writing.
2006 Sunline 276SR
(Gone is the 2007 Sunline Que SE, and the 2006 Ainer)
2008 Ram 1500 QC 4x4 5.7L
2005 VW Passat TDI
2001 Jeep Wrangler
1975 Jeep CJ-6
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