I have been reading alot on this site and now have bought a 2001 dodge ram 1500 5.2 liter... I am curious what modifications should I make, I know a cold air intake, headers, and exaust system, but I am reading about something called an M1 and don't understand what it is or does, also a turtle... I'd like to end up having my truck modded enough to have a supercharger installed, as well as the other nice engine mods. If anyone would be nice enought to explain where to start and how they would work up the chain of parts and explain a general overview of the parts I would be greatly happy :-) I have searched and searched and I just have gotten very discouraged if anyones willing to help

 

A M1 is intake manifold. It eliminates the pleneum design that's a problem but you could also just fix that problem with a APS or Hughes kit with a billet pleneum pan and it's a lot cheaper. As for performance I've heard it adds some but most of what I've read says it soo high up in the rpm range that most would never see any power difference. Some have said it causes you to lose low end others have said it doesn't but doesn't help either. IMO unless you are going with a built engine or something the M1 isn't the way to go. The best way seems to be to modify the stock intake manifold. There are threads on how to do this.

For a CAI instead of that check out the FIPK No more thread. You might want to look into a round air filter instead. They seem to be preferred. For headers and exhaust it seems to be a personal setup. I like my Magnaflow cat and Flowmaster 40 but it seems like from what I've ready Magnaflows seem to flow better so be better for power. I however just like the Flowmaster sound soo much I'd rather have that.


Honestly bolt ons like CAI, Exhaust, etc are nice and all but I've had 2 vehicles where I've done a lot of bolt on mods too and I can't say I've ever really seen much of a difference. I also have dirtbikes with bolt ons although most of them have a engine work done too. When you get 3hp extra on a dirtbike it's a nice increase. When you get 3hp on a truck that weighs 6,000lbs you probably won't ever notice it. It's a lot of money for little to no power gains so to me I'd go for what you think looks and sounds nice.

 

One upgrade that you will definitely notice a throttle response increase, especially at highway speeds, is the Fastman Throttle Body.

http://www.thefastman.com/Throttlebodies5x.asp

Very easy upgrade, and a lot cheaper than any other one I've ever seen.