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How can I make my 5.7 Hemi faster?

If you're the proud owner of a 5.7 Hemi engine, you're probably always on the lookout for ways to boost its performance. Fortunately, there are several modifications and upgrades you can make to your engine to increase its speed and power. In this article, we'll explore some of the best ways to make your 5.7 Hemi faster.

Upgrade the Air Intake System

One of the easiest and most effective ways to increase the power of your 5.7 Hemi is to upgrade the air intake system. A high-performance air intake can improve airflow and allow your engine to breathe more efficiently, resulting in increased horsepower and torque. Some popular options include cold air intakes, short ram intakes, and even custom-built intake systems.

Install a Performance Exhaust System

Another crucial component in boosting your 5.7 Hemi's performance is the exhaust system. A high-flow exhaust system can reduce backpressure and allow your engine to expel exhaust gases more efficiently, leading to increased power and better fuel efficiency. Consider upgrading to a cat-back or axle-back exhaust system, or even a full-blown custom exhaust setup.

Tune Your Engine

Tuning your engine is one of the most effective ways to unlock its full potential. A professional tune-up can optimize your engine's air-fuel ratio, ignition timing, and other parameters, resulting in a significant increase in horsepower and torque. This can be done through a standalone engine management system or by reprogramming your vehicle's factory ECU.

Upgrade the Fuel System

The fuel system plays a crucial role in your engine's performance, and upgrading it can lead to substantial gains. Consider installing a high-flow fuel pump, larger fuel injectors, and a high-pressure fuel regulator to ensure your engine is getting the fuel it needs to produce more power. These upgrades can help your 5.7 Hemi run more efficiently and generate more horsepower.

Improve the Cooling System

Keeping your engine cool is essential for maintaining peak performance, especially when you're pushing it to its limits. Upgrading your cooling system with a high-performance radiator, water pump, and cooling fans can help prevent overheating and ensure your engine runs at optimal temperatures, allowing it to produce more power.

Conclusion

By implementing these upgrades and modifications, you can unlock the full potential of your 5.7 Hemi engine and enjoy a significant boost in speed and power. Remember to always consult with a professional mechanic or tuner to ensure the modifications are done correctly and safely. With the right upgrades, your 5.7 Hemi can become a true performance powerhouse.

How can I increase the horsepower of my 5.7 HEMI?

Horsepower upgrades for a 5.7 Hemi range from simple bolt-ons like a cold air intake and tuning, to more involved modifications like a camshaft and full exhaust system, and high-end forced induction such as a supercharger or turbocharger. For maximum power, forced induction is the most effective route, while other upgrades can provide performance improvements for less cost and complexity.

This video explains how to build a 425 WHP 5.7 HEMI: 58s8020 AutomotiveYouTube · Sep 10, 2024
Basic upgrades

Tuning: A custom or off-the-shelf tune can improve throttle response, responsiveness, and horsepower. Some tuners can also be used to disable the Multi-Displacement System (MDS).
Cold air intake: A cold air intake can provide modest performance gains by allowing the engine to breathe more freely.
Exhaust: Upgrading to a performance exhaust system, including headers, can improve scavenging and sound. SRT exhaust manifolds are a cost-effective upgrade over stock manifolds.
Thermostat: A 180-degree thermostat can help the engine run cooler, which can lead to better performance.

This video shows some easy DIY performance mods for the 5.7 Hemi: 57sMopar MotorsportsYouTube · Dec 18, 2019
Intermediate to advanced upgrades

Camshaft: A performance camshaft, often paired with a kit to delete the MDS, can significantly increase horsepower and torque. This requires other supporting modifications like the right valve springs, pushrods, and a tune that matches the new cam's characteristics.
Forced induction: Supercharger or turbocharger kits are the most powerful upgrade path. These are expensive and often require supporting modifications like fueling upgrades. A supercharger offers a more linear power delivery, while a turbocharger can spool up faster.

This video explains how to make your 5.7 Hemi faster than a TRX: 42sIncredible HemiYouTube · Jan 25, 2024
Other considerations

Engine internals: For those building a high-horsepower engine, it may be necessary to forge the bottom end to handle the increased stress.
Supporting modifications: As you increase power, consider supporting modifications like a better fuel system and transmission tune to ensure reliability and performance.
Heads: Porting and polishing factory heads or installing aftermarket heads can also improve performance, but this is a more involved and expensive upgrade.

What years to avoid for the 5.7 HEMI?

The 2005 and 2006 Hemi-powered LX-platform cars, especially the Magnum, experienced significant issues with their 5.7s. The Magnums had a whopping seven recalls with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and had a nasty habit of stalling and hesitation after refueling.

How much HP can you make out of a 5.7 HEMI?

Especially by modern standards considering its large 5.7 L displacement which produces anywhere from 340. Up to 420 horsepower. And 370 to 4 10 foot-p pounds of torque.

How much horsepower can a tune add to a 5.7 HEMI?

A tune can add 5–15 horsepower to a stock 5.7L Hemi, with the potential for 10–20+ horsepower when combined with other modifications. A tune is most effective at optimizing performance for supporting modifications like headers, cold air intakes, and larger cams, or for a more efficient and responsive driving experience. For best results, a custom tune should be used with higher octane fuel, especially 91 or 93.
You can watch this video to learn how to build a 425 WHP 5.7 HEMI: 1m8020 AutomotiveYouTube · Sep 10, 2024
Typical horsepower gains

Stock engine: Approximately 5–15 horsepower.
With supporting modifications: 10–20+ horsepower is achievable.
Custom tune with premium fuel: Can lead to significant gains, especially when supporting other mods.

Benefits of a tune

Improved performance: A tune optimizes the air-to-fuel ratio and ignition timing, which improves overall performance.
Increased efficiency: Correcting the air-to-fuel ratio can make the engine run more cleanly and efficiently.
Enhanced throttle and transmission response: A tune can make the throttle feel more responsive and adjust the transmission's shift points for better performance.
Optimized for modifications: Tuning is a crucial step to maximize the gains from other performance parts, such as headers and cold air intakes.

This video demonstrates the horsepower gain after using a Diablo tune: 51sR/T LifeYouTube · Apr 2, 2019
How to get the most out of a tune

Use a performance tune: Look for tunes from reputable companies like Hemifever or for custom tunes to get the most out of your specific setup.
Use high-octane fuel: Using 91 or 93 octane fuel is highly recommended and will result in greater power gains.
Consider a cold air intake: A cold air intake can work well with a tune to add more horsepower.
Add headers: Headers are a great way to improve exhaust flow, and a tune is essential to maximize the power gains from them.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.