Yesterday, I bought myself a 2005 SLT Quad Cab Hemi Ram. What are my must have options for performance? The dealer already told me to get a K&N air filter (I forgot what model), and some flowmasters (what series)?

 

That's a start, what more do you need. ?

 

Haha! Good answer.

The filter is a good start. The air tube between the box and TB is another place where a few extra HP's hide out. Headers are performance gain from all that I've read, where a catback doesn't have much effect.

Welcome to Dodge Forum.

 

Hey Darcity, first, welcome to the forum, you made a good decision to buy a Ram... you'll grow to love it.......

Next, well, you have all kinds of options, CAI mods, etc.... like Todd said......first just read up, and if you come across something that sounds good, just ask the forum, these people have tried it all and they are willing to help you....
I have done some myself and all you gotta do is ask..... Like I said there are people here that know our prize toys, RAMS, and know what works and what dosent...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... enjoy your truck, look around and have some fun....
By the way, get us some pics of your toy...and post them....wanna seeeeeee it.......

GUIDO

 

a bitchin sound system, minimum of 2000 watts

 

The easiest is the K&N filter, but a lot of guys are doing the full CAI. A lot of the most common mods seem to be cat backs, then headers, then chips. Just be aware of one thing with the Hemi, you probably won't get the same relative level of improvement on that stuff as you do with other engines. The hemi already puts out 1 HP/CI so the factory pretty much did their homework already. Flowmasters will definately help the sound. 40 series are louder than the 50 series, so depends on how loud you want it. There's alot of guys having dual exhaust systems put on. Check sizing first--some have reported loss of bottom end torque in oversizing the exhaust.

Guys have reported gains on all of that stuff, but a lot feel it wasn't worth the $, but that's really up to you. A lot of us just like to do it for the sake of doing it.

 

Enjoy it and save up for the gas or get some toys to go along with the truck, like a boat, quads, jetskis, etc.

 

I see Kenne Bell now lists a twin-screw supercharger for the hemi. I've several supercharged and turboed cars and the one with the KB is a favorite.

Soooo, depending on degree of craziness, that would be my recommendation after long-tube headers and a better flowing exhaust (think true duels with hi-flow cats [Random Technology's are best] and an "X" cross-over pipe)--size dependent on anticipated future mods. Have your own header-back exhaust made if you cannot find something like this. I deal with hipo vehicles all the time and successfully race them and have seen/produced many dyno sheets. This exhaust will work on the street.

Enjoy your truck and all the best!

Oh yeah, as to intake systems, I prefer Donaldson to K&N (I've both). Donaldson (automotive product trade name of "BlackWing") are similar to K&N but made of a more uniform synthetic instead of cotton. Donaldson makes many of the severe duty filters used by the military. I do not know if they make one specifically for the Ram; if not I'll probably fab my own. And, of course colder air is preferred. Just be sure you don't put a cold air pickup somewhere you can suck in water and "hydrolock" the engine. Sports car people have this problem because of pickups located very low. There are special popoff valves to negate this possibility that "Ricers" (no disrespect intended) have been using for years. Domestics seem a bit slow picking up on such innovations. Hmmm.

 

THanks everyone for your feedback. I have heard and read so many conflicting stories about the exhaust that I think I will leave that alone for now. I will definitely get the air filter or CAI.