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- Dodge Ram 1994-2001: 5 2 performance upgrades
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5.2 performance upgrades
either would work just fine. The air gap moves the power band up a bit, but, not a hell of a lot. It makes up for that by flowing better than the stock manifold, so, you don't really lose a lot down low.
Don't skimp on heads there prone to cracking stock. Would hate to see u do all that work and tear it back down for heads. Putting heads on magnum up the power pretty well for what I hear and read
The intake will only help whatever cam you choose, it won't hurt anything.
The heads are the most restrictive point of air flow in any engine. Spending your money there and on a cam is going to net you the biggest gains in power on a naturally aspirated engine.
The benefit of the air gap comes on around 2200-2500 rpms and really leaves the keg in the dust at 4000 + rpms.
With the cam, you have to start making decisions about what you really want the truck to do. Low end torque, or high HP straight line screamer. For a DD, torque is where it's at.
If it were my money to spend, I'd get the EQ heads with a bowl blend and 3 angle valve job, and a good torquey cam. The bowl blend and valve job will help with the low lift flow, and the torquey cam will really maximize that.
The heads are the most restrictive point of air flow in any engine. Spending your money there and on a cam is going to net you the biggest gains in power on a naturally aspirated engine.
The benefit of the air gap comes on around 2200-2500 rpms and really leaves the keg in the dust at 4000 + rpms.
With the cam, you have to start making decisions about what you really want the truck to do. Low end torque, or high HP straight line screamer. For a DD, torque is where it's at.
If it were my money to spend, I'd get the EQ heads with a bowl blend and 3 angle valve job, and a good torquey cam. The bowl blend and valve job will help with the low lift flow, and the torquey cam will really maximize that.
Last edited by aim4squirrels; Aug 15, 2011 at 09:41 PM.
Im trying to find a cam that will give my truck that really choppy idle . But ive heard so many different things . Ive heard that you cant get one for it and other things of that nature . Im new to the dodge world . And also what would be the best motor mods ?
Would like input on upgrading the 5.2 with cam --5 to 525 lift , headers and if there is a airgap intake to replace the injection manifold to put 650 holley on it . Sounds crazy but I have a 94 ram sport that I want to put a 49 Ford body on it . So want to make a street driven thumper out of it ---LOL.
Several folks make decent carb manifold for the 318, just make sure it's for the magnum version, and not the LA style. (intake bolts are different angle) Cam just depends on what you want to do with the truck.
Why wouldn't you use a Ford motor in your ford though? They are more common, parts are cheaper, and it would actually be easier to set in place.
Why wouldn't you use a Ford motor in your ford though? They are more common, parts are cheaper, and it would actually be easier to set in place.
Looks like I’m late to the party, having just bought a 1997 5.2 4x4 Ram. I’m just looking to open it up for better MPG and torque, so I’ve added Jet chip like I did for my brother’s 5.9. The advanced timing makes it run much better and improves MPG.
Now I’m looking to overcome the exhaust constriction. I have a good single exhaust design in mind, but wonder if there are any good dyno charts comparing 2.5 with 3 inch single exhaust for the 5.2. I don’t want to lose much torque. The truck currently has a 2.25 single exhaust, which chokes it down to about 185hp max. The 3” exhaust kits seem to be advertised everywhere, but I’m wondering if they reduce torque compared with 2.5” (which should flow up to about 230hp.
Now I’m looking to overcome the exhaust constriction. I have a good single exhaust design in mind, but wonder if there are any good dyno charts comparing 2.5 with 3 inch single exhaust for the 5.2. I don’t want to lose much torque. The truck currently has a 2.25 single exhaust, which chokes it down to about 185hp max. The 3” exhaust kits seem to be advertised everywhere, but I’m wondering if they reduce torque compared with 2.5” (which should flow up to about 230hp.









