If you are a proud owner of a 5.7 Hemi, you should know that your metallic beast can become even more ferocious. Sounds too good to be true, right? But it is! The 5.7 Hemi is open to many types of modifications that can increase its power output. Now, if you have heard that the 5.7 Hemi upgrades are above your range, do not worry. While some improvements will cost you a little extra, some cheaper ones will put less strain on your wallet. And we are going to discuss all of those modifications to you 5.7 enthusiasts, so get excited!
How to Increase the Horsepower of the 5.7 Hemi
As we have already mentioned, we will talk about budget and performance solutions. We are going to start with budget solutions. And if you decide that you want to go even further, we will discuss those methods. Now, start your engine!
Budget Solutions
If you’re here with a limited budget , just go through these 3 simple upgrades. You’ll surely notice a huge change.
Buy A Tuner
Tuners can help you bring out the maximum power output from your 5.7 Hemi. And they also have an easy installation process.
So, you do not need to take your Hemi to a dyno to install the tuner. It will save you on costs as well.
With an easy plug-n-play installation, you have to plug the custom tuner into the OBD 2.0 port. If you are having trouble locating it, it should be right around your emergency brake. You will see a gain of up to 20 HP once you install a customized tuner. It will also allow you to customize your shift points and RPMs. So, you will also see an increase in your drivability. Do note that you may need to install an unlocked PCM for this work.
Install A Cold Air Intake
The 5.7 crate engine comes equipped with a stock air intake. But the factory intake is very restrictive.
One trick to improve your Hemi engine’s performance is to replace the restrictive air intake with an aftermarket one. The cold air intake supplies cold air to the combustion chamber, which has a higher density.
As a result, the section burns more oxygen and generates more power. Installing a cold air intake will increase your car’s torque, horsepower, and efficiency. You can expect an increase of up to 15 HP after implementing these performance parts for the 5.7 Hemi.
Do note that the increase in horsepower depends on the quality of the intake.
Replace the Restrictive Stock Exhaust
Generally, car enthusiasts look at the exhaust manifold when upgrading their 5.7 engine.
That is because most companies use a restrictive exhaust system. Replacing the stock exhaust will ensure a free exhaust flow.
That way, you will see a considerable improvement in your engine’s performance. It also has other bonuses. You will see a change in the exhaust tone of your machine. While there are very pricey aftermarket parts, you may want to opt for the cheaper ones. You will also want to carefully choose these aftermarket parts, as they will drastically affect your engine’s performance.
These upgrades are for you if you are looking to increase your engine crate’s power within budget.
Now, if you are looking to spend money, you can equip your 5.7 Hemi with a supercharger or Hemi 5.7 turbochargers. Do note that you may have to remove your cold air intake if you choose a supercharger or 5.7 Hemi turbo.
Aftermarket Mods
Let’s dive deeper.
Reduce Engine’s Weight
You will have to replace the engine’s stock iron flywheel. You can get the maximum output by replacing the heavy flywheel with a lightweight aluminum one.
You will get the result as common sense dictates. With a lighter load to pull, your engine will be able to rev faster.
As a result, it will transfer power to the rear tires more efficiently. It will increase not only your engine’s power output but also the torque available.
Change Your Drive Shaft
Replacing the massive iron drive shaft with a lightweight aluminum one is a good idea.
If a vehicle has a horsepower less than 900, an aluminum driveshaft allows it to spin the driveshaft with a reduced horsepower.
As a result, the engine can transfer more power to the rear wheel, increasing torque and power. Since the 5.7 Hemi engine fulfills that criteria, this modification is an excellent choice for it.
Reset the ECU
The 5.7 Hemi engine is a computerized one, and an ECU controls it. Like all other computer systems, the electronic control unit has some restrictions as well.
The developers have put them there. You can remove those limiters by flashing the ECU. By doing so, you can take advantage of the restricted horsepower.
As the ECU dictates every action of the engine, resetting the control unit will allow your car to increase its power output and efficiency.
Replace the Factory Air Filter
If you replace the stock air filter and intake box with an aftermarket part, it will eliminate the intake box’s need.
Instead, it will collect cooler air from the inner fender well through an oversized air filter. Thus, the engine will get a supply of cooler air. With a large amount of cold air, the combustion chamber’s efficiency will increase radically.
You can also add a throttle body with a larger throttle body. That way, the engine can get this higher airflow without any hindrance. By doing so, you can gain a significant increase in your horsepower.
Install A Throttle Body Spacer
A throttle body spacer can help direct the engine’s airflow. Placed between the throttle body, the spacer can increase the volume of the space between the throttle body and the intake runners.
It will, in turn, allow more air to the engine. And we all know that the more the air, the better the combustion. Although the throttle body spacer is supposed to help provide better fuel automization, it depends on the engine’s build.
With an increase in the engine’s airflow, the throttle body spacer helps your engine bring out more horsepower.
Also, with more air available, your crate engine will not have to work as hard, and so it will increase your engine’s efficiency. It is one of the most popular 5.7 Hemi performance parts.
Upgrade Your Exhaust System
Replacing your factory system with OEM parts will offer excellent results.
While there are several options available, you want to go for the best one. So, replace your stock exhaust system with a cat-back exhaust system.
The stock exhaust system is very restrictive, and its mufflers may sound like its wheezing. Now nobody wants that.
You want your 5.7 Hemi engine to roar. Installing a cat-back exhaust system will improve your output and offer you a better exhaust note.
Introduce Headers
People use the terms ‘exhausts’ and ‘header’ interchangeably. But they are not the same.
Want to know how? Introduce headers to your engine, and you will know! All jokes aside, the headers are aftermarket parts. They provide a better exhaust gas flow.
As a result, you will see an increase in your engine’s power output. They also offer an increase in torque and fuel efficiency. It is one of the most popular mods for the Dodge Charger.
Install An Upgraded Intercooler
A cooler combustion chamber means a more efficient engine.
If you install an efficiently upgraded intercooler, it will direct an increased airflow to your engine. And you will see a significant increase in your engine’s torque and power output.
It will do so by reducing your intake air temperature and by improving combustion.
With a superior combustion system, your engine will perform more efficiently. Use this upgrade if you want more horsepower for 5.7 Hemi.
Use A Bigger Throttle Body
If you use a larger throttle body, it will allow more airflow into the engine.
As a result, your engine will get a better air-to-fuel ratio. As the bigger throttle body will deliver air at a higher rate, the engine’s acceleration will improve. It also enhances your car’s performance along with better throttle response.
Use a Supercharger
It is a common misconception that superchargers improve the engine’s performance at the cost of fuel economy. That is not true at all.
You will still see stable mileage from your supercharged 5.7 Hemi. So, do not waste any more time and supercharge your crate engine!
Install Meth Injection System
You have already seen the result of introducing cooler air to the system. So, what would happen if you were to pump ice-cold methanol/water mixture into your engine? It would give you a drastic improvement in our engine’s overall performance!
Diesel Fuel Filtration System
Like human beings, engines also need energy to run. As we can function better if we eat fresh food, they also run better with high-quality fuel.
Unfortunately, fuel does not come uncontaminated. They contain water and air vapor, dirt. These contaminators can reduce their power output and damage the engine.
To avoid this problem, you can use a fuel filtration system. That way, your engine will run more smoothly and efficiently.
Upgrade with Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter converts harmful compounds in the exhaust flow into harmless ones using a catalyst. That way, it can improve your fuel economy.
But that is not all. In case you were wondering if these converters affect performance, they do. It improves your engine’s performance along with its fuel economy.
Install Spring Booster
You may not be a fan of tuning mods. We get it. You do not want to mess with the configurations the developers put in. But you want an improved driveability.
What can you do? Well, the perfect solution is there for you, and its name is spring boosters.
The booster customizes the signal between the ECU and the accelerator pedal. By installing a spring booster, your vehicle will be more potent than ever!
The booster customizes the signal between the ECU and the accelerator pedal. By installing a spring booster, your vehicle will be more potent than ever!
Final Words
It is natural to want more power in your mechanical 5.7 beast. Specially when its a 5.7 hemi challenger, you must go for the upgrades. Otherwise you’ll surely miss the fun. Anyway it is tough to decide on how to do it as there are many factors to consider. So, we hope that our concise discussion has helped you in this matter.
I have a 2018 RT Challanger its been retuned, both engine and transmission, new exaust cold air, long tube headers, will a new tourque converter help, i have a 307 rear. Will the converter give me a boost.
Thank You,
Louie
Thank you for all the advice and now to start setting aside the money for the extra components for around d Christmas time . As soon as she’s done she will have a video made and sent to you to show how each mod changed the hp , the torque and over all hell unleashed on these streets of littlerock while I keep her looking like a sleeper with cut outs on the exhaust.
What were the comments it says this ( As soon as she’s done she will have a video made and sent to you to show how each mod changed the hp , the torque and over all hell unleashed ) I would like if I would could also get a video sent to me as well my email is [email protected]
The site i’ve been seeking for ages. Very nice delivery in a simple way. If possible i’d add price ranges for each mod.
If you want actual HP gains, you need to modify with real hardware changes ie supercharges, throttle body mods, headers and free flowing exhaust. THEN you will gain from a tuner.
Not sure what my HP gains are however, I’ve installed on my 2015 RT Challenger Plus Kook’s long tube headers with high flow midcats, 85mm throttle body and throttle spacer, and a Volant CAI. The car’s a beast!
What do you think the total costs was for that method?
i have a 2015 charger road an track an have put JBA shorry headers cat back exhaust no resonators or mufflers unlocked hemi fever tuned pcm throttle body spacer cai and its runs even with 392’s i think after a stage 2 cam change itll be even better!!!