Hey there guys, I am new to this forum so please bear with me here. And also, if I'm in the wrong place, please would someone kindly point out to me where to go! Without further ado, here's to why I joined the forum. I own a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.7L V8 Hemi. Right now the truck has 3 inches of lift and has 33" M.T's on it. As far as engine/exhaust/performance modifications, it has none with the exception of an aftermarket air intake that was put on a little while ago. Now here is the problem. The truck is completely gutless when it comes to power, and I want to do anything I can to just give it a little bit more 'Ooomph' I have already decided on a 4" Magnaflow exhaust system. That is a definite purchase for me, now I'm just trying to look for a good programmer/chip for a good price. Also if anyone else has any suggestions on what I can do, please let me know!
Tanner

 

Do tune up stuff first. Replace your sparkplugs and wires. You've got 16 plugs and 8 wires to replace. Also make sure your throttle body isn't gummed up too bad. Also take a look at your cat(s) and O2 sensors. Once all that stuff is up to snuff, THEN start looking at performance. No sense dropping major coin on go fast stuff only to have a CEL come on later causing you to scratch your head.


Oh, Welcome to DF!

 

Wow! What a quick reply! Thank you very much! Anyways, I never even thought to check any of that. I'm new to this whole 'truck' thing hahaha, seeing as I'm only 15. But I'll learn more and more soon enough. I still have another 5 months to do what I can to this truck

 

New gears to help turn the 33's. At least 4.10s, if not 4.56s. That'll help get the power to the ground better. A tuner will also help, like a superchips.

 

Where do I buy these? Sorry for my lack of knowledge, I'm really new to this whole thing!

 

Randy's ring and pinion is what most people will tell you. And you can also find a lot of stuff on Ebay

 

Welcome aboard.

A 4" exhaust might be a tad large. You need back pressure to produce some power. Be careful of the tuners. The ones for the '03 aren't as useful as later years (two separate computers). Do the maintenance stuff first. Don't let some parts counter jockey sell you fancy plugs. NGK 5306s are your best bet.

Gears ain't cheap and must be done by a professional.

 

Where would 3K get me with this truck? As far as gears ratios go, parts, tuners, exhaust, and all of that. Should I raise or lower the bar?

 

$3k can get you fairly far early on.

But being 15, and your first truck, save your money up so that when the truck goes down (which it will) you'll have the cash to fix it. I know that I've only just now gotten my rig to the point of modding it. Been fixing stuff on a highschool income for the past 3 years. Do tune up stuff first. Change the axle fluid, make sure everything is topped off, replaced, up to spec and spiffy. If your tires have a higher pressure rating, air them up to about 45psi, that will help with rolling resistance. If you keep at it, everything will be good for mods.

 

^^^^ I agree, three inch for a single exhaust and 2.5 for a dual. Anything else is pure overkill unless your running a 500-600 hp hemi or more, and will hurt you because it will kill the back pressure you need to make torque. Stick with proven things for a fairly tame street engine and you will be better off in the long run, such as e fan, headers, good cai, and a good performance exhaust, but as someone has already said, if your engine isn't tuned well and you sensors working well, all the rest will not help much if any