Hey I have a 1996 ram 1500 with the 360, and I was wondering some mods I could get to improve the performance. I dont really care about the top end speed but I would like to get there quick! Currently I have 8.5mm plug wires along with autolight plugs. Iwas looking at a k&n, throttle body spacer by airaid, and a jet chip. Any suggestions on an exhaust system would be nice, I was thinking long tube headers to true dual pipes with no CAT. I was curious if removing the cat is good or bad. Lastly is rear end gears. I have BFG 33x12.5 AT KO's and I heard that a 4.10 gear would help. Oh and what is an underdrive pully kit all about? not to sure what it does or if its a good choice?

 

First off loose the tb spacer it isn't helping at all. Alot of people are using the spectre intake from autozone. Also loose the jet chip and pick up an sct tuner. Fix your plenum as well. If you're just wanting low end you could probably run some 4.56 gears and that would get you moving in a hurry.

 

wait you said rear end gears.....do you have a 4x4? if you d you MUST change both front and rear diff gears, if not, you can say bye bye to your t-case.

I just hollowed my CAT a couple weeks ago and ut a Cherry Bomb turbo muffler on it...love the sound...Feels like the exhaust is flowing MUCH better (Since my CAT was all busted up inside and rattling)Cant really tell if i got performance out of it, but it runs a hell of alot better

 

The items in red need to be taken off the list, the spacer wont do anything on our motors and the jet chip is a cheap piece of plastic that the computer will eventually override.

K&N is not a bad idea, but do you plan on just a filter or their CAI, If you want the CAI I would suggest looking at other brands because theres not much difference between them all and you can pick up another brand CAI for less

Judging by the tires I would say your 4x4, you will need to change the front gears too, and 4.10 is a good all around for 33's, if you want low end power for towing/mudding 4.56 will be better

And ADD this to your list SCT tuner from hemifever

 

another thing is how much you wanting to spend

 

It is a 2wd for starters and what exactly will the SCT tunner do compared to the jet chip? also how much are 4.56 gears and r they difficult to install? And I heard some gasket or something goes bad on the plenum b/c the plates are 2 different kinds of metal is that what you r saying needs to be fixed?

 

Yeah you replace the original steel plate with an aftermarket aluminum one. If you have to ask about the gears then have somebody do them for you. You're looking at about 600 or so parts and labor.

 

$600? I've seen the rear axle go as low as $400 for labor. Depends on the area you live in, I suppose. Now the front, thats more of a pain, that'd take $600 (if it was a 4x4, but since its not, don't need to worry about that).

Don't forget to use new bolts with the aluminum plenum plate.

JET chip doesn't do anything in the end for our engines. The computer actually eventually learns to ignore it, and its been known to cause problems. SCT is a programmer, actually reprograms the computer. Much better results, and the PCM won't "learn" around it.

The gears needs to be done properly, otherwise you will destroy your rear end. Do not go cheap on parts for the rear gearing either. This is one of those things where the more you spend on the gears (brand names and such), the better they'll be (last longer and quieter).

 

600 for gears, install kits and labor is actually pretty cheap. Mine are costing me almost 1500. Although I could get it done cheaper the shop I'm using has a very good reputation so there a little more pricey.