Supercharger
Supercharger
Hi. I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8 HEMI Laramie and I'm thinking about getting a supercharger, I was wondering what is recommended and what steps should I take so I don't destroy my back end taking off too fast or blow my engine or transmission or something like that.
The first thing you might consider is getting rid of the rear end that comes with the truck and bumping it up to a lsd 3/4 or 1 ton with an aftermarket center and axles, then that won't break, aftermarket steel or aluminum driveline designed for more power and torque. Once you figure just what you really want to do in terms of supercharging, you can match the tranny build to that. Before you do any power building on the 1500, you need to start with the rear end.
Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
If you want to risk the Rear end then sure you can just change axles, but you can pretty much guarantee that the rear end will explode under the increased torque.
Weak link on these trucks is the rear end.
Personally here's what I would do:
1) Upgrade Rear End to 1 Ton Rear End w/ aftermarket differential (suggest either full locker or LSD) and gear ratio between 3.7 and 3.92.
2) If you have 4x4 Forget about using it until you upgrade Torque Converter, Transfer Case, and Front Axles
3) Replace Driveshaft & U-Joints w/ stronger Aluminum or Hardened Steel Aftermarket units.
4) Replace/rebuild Transmission with drastically stronger gears.
5) Rebuild bottom end w/ 8.0:1 Compression (might as well get a .020 - .030" over bore too)
6) Put in High Performance Bearings (EVERYWHERE)
7) Install Oil Cooler (bigger than OEM if equipped)
8) Install Transmission Cooler (if not OEM Equipped)
9) Install 180 or 190* Thermostat
10) Install new Cam Shafts for S/C setup (lobe separation of 112* to 114* is usually good) - Oh you'd need High performance Springs and Push Rods too (and all the other nuts and bolts there)
11) Port & Polish heads while you're in there.
12) Full Exhaust from Headers back
13) Upgrade Throttle Body size to upwards of 75mm (optimal flow)
14) Install High Flow Fuel Pump (walbro 255 or better is a must)
15) Install Larger Injectors
16) Get custom tune for 91 (minimum) Octane Fuel
Expect to pay around $10,000 - $18,000 all said and done (if you do all work yourself)
That's the minimum I'd do before putting a S/C on my truck personally... and here's some extra goodies that will help but aren't really necessary:
- High Flow Oil Pump
- High Flow Water Pump
- Bigger Oil Pan
- Stonger Engine & Transmission Mounts
- Bump Stops on Rear Suspension
- Heavy Duty Wheel Bearings (complete hub swap from a 2500 8-bolt lug would be okay)
- Wideband Air Fuel Gauge
- EGT Gauge
- Boost Gauge
- IAT Gauge
- Upgraded Ignition Coils
- Meth Injection (will keep engine cooler in summer time heat)
- Upgrade Radiator
- Swap to Electric Radiator Fans (the OEM Clutch Fan will get destroyed after a little bit)
- Cold Air Intake w/ High Flow Filter
- Upgraded Idler Pulleys
In all Honesty, if you're simply looking for more fun with your Ram I'd advise against Supercharging your current truck and simply upgrade to a 2500 Ram w/ 5.9L Cummins and throw a programmer and some other little goodies on it... that will put a smile on your face for sure.
Weak link on these trucks is the rear end.
Personally here's what I would do:
1) Upgrade Rear End to 1 Ton Rear End w/ aftermarket differential (suggest either full locker or LSD) and gear ratio between 3.7 and 3.92.
2) If you have 4x4 Forget about using it until you upgrade Torque Converter, Transfer Case, and Front Axles
3) Replace Driveshaft & U-Joints w/ stronger Aluminum or Hardened Steel Aftermarket units.
4) Replace/rebuild Transmission with drastically stronger gears.
5) Rebuild bottom end w/ 8.0:1 Compression (might as well get a .020 - .030" over bore too)
6) Put in High Performance Bearings (EVERYWHERE)
7) Install Oil Cooler (bigger than OEM if equipped)
8) Install Transmission Cooler (if not OEM Equipped)
9) Install 180 or 190* Thermostat
10) Install new Cam Shafts for S/C setup (lobe separation of 112* to 114* is usually good) - Oh you'd need High performance Springs and Push Rods too (and all the other nuts and bolts there)
11) Port & Polish heads while you're in there.
12) Full Exhaust from Headers back
13) Upgrade Throttle Body size to upwards of 75mm (optimal flow)
14) Install High Flow Fuel Pump (walbro 255 or better is a must)
15) Install Larger Injectors
16) Get custom tune for 91 (minimum) Octane Fuel
Expect to pay around $10,000 - $18,000 all said and done (if you do all work yourself)
That's the minimum I'd do before putting a S/C on my truck personally... and here's some extra goodies that will help but aren't really necessary:
- High Flow Oil Pump
- High Flow Water Pump
- Bigger Oil Pan
- Stonger Engine & Transmission Mounts
- Bump Stops on Rear Suspension
- Heavy Duty Wheel Bearings (complete hub swap from a 2500 8-bolt lug would be okay)
- Wideband Air Fuel Gauge
- EGT Gauge
- Boost Gauge
- IAT Gauge
- Upgraded Ignition Coils
- Meth Injection (will keep engine cooler in summer time heat)
- Upgrade Radiator
- Swap to Electric Radiator Fans (the OEM Clutch Fan will get destroyed after a little bit)
- Cold Air Intake w/ High Flow Filter
- Upgraded Idler Pulleys
In all Honesty, if you're simply looking for more fun with your Ram I'd advise against Supercharging your current truck and simply upgrade to a 2500 Ram w/ 5.9L Cummins and throw a programmer and some other little goodies on it... that will put a smile on your face for sure.
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Supercharging, Turbocharging, NOX.. Great Stuff..
but the truck is designed for everyday use. not racing...
and its well known the final drive in our trucks are its weakest part... followed by its transmission...
look into a HellCat. or an alcohol injected Diesel 2500.
but the truck is designed for everyday use. not racing...
and its well known the final drive in our trucks are its weakest part... followed by its transmission...
look into a HellCat. or an alcohol injected Diesel 2500.
If you want to risk the Rear end then sure you can just change axles, but you can pretty much guarantee that the rear end will explode under the increased torque.
Weak link on these trucks is the rear end.
Personally here's what I would do:
1) Upgrade Rear End to 1 Ton Rear End w/ aftermarket differential (suggest either full locker or LSD) and gear ratio between 3.7 and 3.92.
2) If you have 4x4 Forget about using it until you upgrade Torque Converter, Transfer Case, and Front Axles
3) Replace Driveshaft & U-Joints w/ stronger Aluminum or Hardened Steel Aftermarket units.
4) Replace/rebuild Transmission with drastically stronger gears.
5) Rebuild bottom end w/ 8.0:1 Compression (might as well get a .020 - .030" over bore too)
6) Put in High Performance Bearings (EVERYWHERE)
7) Install Oil Cooler (bigger than OEM if equipped)
8) Install Transmission Cooler (if not OEM Equipped)
9) Install 180 or 190* Thermostat
10) Install new Cam Shafts for S/C setup (lobe separation of 112* to 114* is usually good) - Oh you'd need High performance Springs and Push Rods too (and all the other nuts and bolts there)
11) Port & Polish heads while you're in there.
12) Full Exhaust from Headers back
13) Upgrade Throttle Body size to upwards of 75mm (optimal flow)
14) Install High Flow Fuel Pump (walbro 255 or better is a must)
15) Install Larger Injectors
16) Get custom tune for 91 (minimum) Octane Fuel
Expect to pay around $10,000 - $18,000 all said and done (if you do all work yourself)
That's the minimum I'd do before putting a S/C on my truck personally... and here's some extra goodies that will help but aren't really necessary:
- High Flow Oil Pump
- High Flow Water Pump
- Bigger Oil Pan
- Stonger Engine & Transmission Mounts
- Bump Stops on Rear Suspension
- Heavy Duty Wheel Bearings (complete hub swap from a 2500 8-bolt lug would be okay)
- Wideband Air Fuel Gauge
- EGT Gauge
- Boost Gauge
- IAT Gauge
- Upgraded Ignition Coils
- Meth Injection (will keep engine cooler in summer time heat)
- Upgrade Radiator
- Swap to Electric Radiator Fans (the OEM Clutch Fan will get destroyed after a little bit)
- Cold Air Intake w/ High Flow Filter
- Upgraded Idler Pulleys
In all Honesty, if you're simply looking for more fun with your Ram I'd advise against Supercharging your current truck and simply upgrade to a 2500 Ram w/ 5.9L Cummins and throw a programmer and some other little goodies on it... that will put a smile on your face for sure.
Weak link on these trucks is the rear end.
Personally here's what I would do:
1) Upgrade Rear End to 1 Ton Rear End w/ aftermarket differential (suggest either full locker or LSD) and gear ratio between 3.7 and 3.92.
2) If you have 4x4 Forget about using it until you upgrade Torque Converter, Transfer Case, and Front Axles
3) Replace Driveshaft & U-Joints w/ stronger Aluminum or Hardened Steel Aftermarket units.
4) Replace/rebuild Transmission with drastically stronger gears.
5) Rebuild bottom end w/ 8.0:1 Compression (might as well get a .020 - .030" over bore too)
6) Put in High Performance Bearings (EVERYWHERE)
7) Install Oil Cooler (bigger than OEM if equipped)
8) Install Transmission Cooler (if not OEM Equipped)
9) Install 180 or 190* Thermostat
10) Install new Cam Shafts for S/C setup (lobe separation of 112* to 114* is usually good) - Oh you'd need High performance Springs and Push Rods too (and all the other nuts and bolts there)
11) Port & Polish heads while you're in there.
12) Full Exhaust from Headers back
13) Upgrade Throttle Body size to upwards of 75mm (optimal flow)
14) Install High Flow Fuel Pump (walbro 255 or better is a must)
15) Install Larger Injectors
16) Get custom tune for 91 (minimum) Octane Fuel
Expect to pay around $10,000 - $18,000 all said and done (if you do all work yourself)
That's the minimum I'd do before putting a S/C on my truck personally... and here's some extra goodies that will help but aren't really necessary:
- High Flow Oil Pump
- High Flow Water Pump
- Bigger Oil Pan
- Stonger Engine & Transmission Mounts
- Bump Stops on Rear Suspension
- Heavy Duty Wheel Bearings (complete hub swap from a 2500 8-bolt lug would be okay)
- Wideband Air Fuel Gauge
- EGT Gauge
- Boost Gauge
- IAT Gauge
- Upgraded Ignition Coils
- Meth Injection (will keep engine cooler in summer time heat)
- Upgrade Radiator
- Swap to Electric Radiator Fans (the OEM Clutch Fan will get destroyed after a little bit)
- Cold Air Intake w/ High Flow Filter
- Upgraded Idler Pulleys
In all Honesty, if you're simply looking for more fun with your Ram I'd advise against Supercharging your current truck and simply upgrade to a 2500 Ram w/ 5.9L Cummins and throw a programmer and some other little goodies on it... that will put a smile on your face for sure.
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What Izero said----Great stuff
I was going to say, before you start anything, figure out a budget, and have a very good idea about expectations before starting on the budget so you end up at the goal, with a wicked mean truck!
I was going to say, before you start anything, figure out a budget, and have a very good idea about expectations before starting on the budget so you end up at the goal, with a wicked mean truck!
Last edited by Gone Fishin; Dec 9, 2014 at 05:29 PM.
