No, I'm not really that naive for asking the question. "one size fits all", "it's only $nnn, but enough $nnn adds up", etc. However...

Since the manufacturers also make a huge marketing blitz on phrases/specifications like "best hp in class", "more powerful than other_manufacturer", etc., you'd think that some of the "but $nnn adds up" could be charged against marketing expense.

- Freer (what an odd-looking word, but it exists) flowing exhaust. What is the real incremental cost vs bragging rights to 5-15hp more power?

- CAI. A bigger filter and a different location is supposed to add power. Why not some kind of scoop and relocate?

- Tuners. I find it really odd that the Hemi "recommends 89 {or whatever} octane, but 87 is acceptable". Since the PCM "learns" over time, why not default to a higher performance tune and automatically de-tune if knock sensors, etc. say "don't do that"?

There are obviously financial/warranty and possibly liability concerns. But, based on what I've read about the various bolt-on mods, it seems like Chrysler (and other manufacturers) could easily add something like 20 HP and 30 pounds of torque with maybe something like $500 of incremental cost (making up numbers) and advertise "not only do we beat Chevy/Ford, but they can't even come close!"

The answer probably does essentially boil down to money, but it just seems like the wholesale, assembly-line costs of a lot of the bolt-ons would trend toward zero while the performance improvements are noticable.

 

its a good question, really. One I've really thought about is headers. certainly its not that much more expensive to design/fab headers than it is that ugly chunk of restriction they call a manifold. The new tundra offers headers, so did the SRT-10, so why not make it standard?

 

its true that they could do that, but I wouldn't support a company that did that. Think about it. The same MOD be it exhaust, intake, PCM, what ever, would cost double if you wanted dealer offered mods.
I know a lot of things people do to their trucks voids most warranties right on the spot. An ebay CAI? voided warranty
Lift? voided
Forced induction? Void
Power chips? Void
Now another problem is that if a vehicle company offered something like this, they would have to go and redo most of the warranty specifications.
Another issue is, most car companies have gone into a "shake and bake" mode. They dont want to have a lot of different options for a build on a vehicle. It would become too confusing, and the parts and service would shoot up because of supply and demand issues.
Think about it, if one specific vehicle had more than one specific part ( Different PCMS) it would become confusing for the average consumer to just walk into a parts stora and buy parts.
Also, I know there is a limit on Horsepower and torque ratings on imported vehicles, but arent the American car companies given a limit on performance ratings?

 

I'm not thinking in terms of different options/parts/part-numbers, but overall, normal, configuration. As an example, the Hemi intake got redesigned for better flow, etc. I remember an article that had something to the effect of "just as good as {some brand} performance manifold". Headers and exhaust would fit in the same category. PCM would be a software update (and flashing the PCM is apparently not an unknown to fix drivability issues) and changing various lookup tables. Incremental, near zero, cost for perceptible performance and/or fuel economy gains.

Using the term "mods" was a little bit misleading, but it was descriptive.

 

The thing about this is, how it would work out. Either offer it as an option. Well, insurance would go up. They would say something about it being sportier and so much more power. Then, some people might not want it, so they'd have to offer it as an option. As an option, they would more than likely charge you completely for it. Then it might not be the output you want, so you take it off for something more powerful. Now you have a performance part you've already paid for once now sitting in your garage. Realistically, it just wouldn't work out for them. There are quite a few old guys buying these trucks new that don't want any mods on them. My grandparents and some other family members have bought a few brand new Dodges, and they probably wouldn't have bought them were they to have come with some performance parts. Stupid as that sounds, that is true. My grandpa bought a used 2005, and he doesn't quite know a whole lot about them, and had he known beforehand that his rims were the 20"s, then he wouldn't have purchased the truck. As little of a thing as it is, that is a turn-off to some people.

 

The bottom line to your question is that it's all about the lowest common denominator. $500 to us enthusiasts doesn't seem like a big chunk overall, but multiply that times the entire production run, and it SERIOUSLY adds up. Our vehicles are being built with the mindset of appealing to the broadest customer base as possible.

The sad truth is that 90% of the people who buy a truck don't care about another 5-15 HP or lb./ft., they just want a solid truck at a reasonable cost.

Look at what ALL of the domestic automakers are going through right now. That extra $500 or so per unit would murder the bottom line of the production run.

All that being said, a lot of what we see as 'bad ideas' from a performance standpoint have more to do with saving a few $$$'s and with making more parts common between vehicles. If they can make a muffler that is ever-so-slightly more restrictive, but fits 4 different models, rather than needing 4 separate units manufactured, then they save money on multiple fronts.

 

One other thought.... another reason could be so that they can offer higher performance models themselves for more money. I don't see it as much with the Ram, but take the Mustang for example. There are several "special editions" of the Mustang. The Boss, Bullitt, Mach 1, etc, and that's not including Shelby and the other specialty versions (Roush, Saleen, etc). If the Mustang came completely hopped up from the factory, everyone would pay more, it would hurt the bottom line, and there would be a smaller aftermarket. You also have CAFE standards. The GT500 has gas guzzling taxes added on. They need the v6 Mustang to even things out.

Enough rambling.

joe

 

ditto on the last two posts.

 

Not to ruin the thread or anything but they do make aftermarket items for our trucks from the dealers. MOPAR makes a cold air intake which can be bought and installed at most dealers and I believe they use Borla as their upgraded catback systems (or at least they are for the pre-mds trucks). And both can be ordered as an add on after you buy the truck.

Now I wish they would be more like toyota in the fact that they offer alot more performance add ons like headers & superchargers.

 

They don't come with more open intakes so the engine is quiet at WOT. Yes, they think consumers want silent 400hp vehicles. OTOH, a catback makes noise rather than power so I don't mind the stock setup.

There's no doubt the factory guys know how to make the 5.7 make major horsepower. It comes at a cost though, usually to fuel economy and they need every tenth they can get. Just think how far they've come in 10 years for the same cubic inches.

Toyota's current V8 supercharger is some nice work. The model for the 3.4 v6 tended to have fueling issues and their blower for the original Tundra started snapping rods so it was removed from the market.