Best Headers for 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi Trucks

Choosing the right headers for the 2009–2018 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi is the single most cost-effective way to wake up Chrysler's 390–395 horsepower V8 — and to cure the dreaded cold-start "Hemi tick" once and for all. The factory cast-iron log manifolds were built to be cheap, quiet, and durable, not to flow exhaust. Swap them for a set of tuned-length tubular headers and you free up trapped power, sharpen throttle response, and add a deeper exhaust note. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, headers are one of the most-requested bolt-ons for fourth-generation Ram trucks, so we put together this buyer's guide comparing five of the best options we stock — from a $459 no-tune shorty to a full long-tube kit with a high-flow catted Y-pipe.

Why Upgrade the Headers on Your 5.7L Hemi Ram 1500?

The 5.7L Hemi V8 in the 2009–2018 Ram 1500 makes 390 hp and 407 lb-ft (2009–2012) or 395 hp and 410 lb-ft (2013–2018), but it does it through restrictive cast-iron exhaust manifolds. Those heavy log-style castings use short, abrupt internal passages that choke exhaust scavenging. Tubular headers replace them with smooth, mandrel-bent primary tubes and a merged collector, letting each cylinder breathe out more freely. The result is more power, a stronger mid-range, quicker throttle response, and a more aggressive tone.

There is a second, equally important reason Ram owners install headers: the notorious Hemi tick. The factory steel manifold bolts thread into an aluminum cylinder head, and because the two metals expand and contract at different rates through thousands of heat cycles, the bolts — most often the rearmost ones — snap. A broken bolt lets the manifold leak, producing a sharp tapping noise that is loudest on a cold start and quiets as the engine warms and the metal expands to partially re-seal the gap. Replacing the manifolds with tubular headers and fresh hardware (many owners step up to stainless ARP-style studs) permanently resolves a tick caused by a manifold leak.

One honest caveat: a ticking Hemi can also be a failing lifter or roller follower, which is an internal engine problem — not something headers will fix. If your tick is constant at all temperatures rather than worst on cold start, diagnose the lifters before spending on exhaust parts.

Shorty vs. Long-Tube Headers: Which Is Right for Your Ram?

Shorty headers are the better choice for most daily-driven 2009–2018 Ram 1500 owners, while long-tube headers are for those chasing maximum top-end power on a modified truck. The difference comes down to primary-tube length and where the collector sits.

Shorty (tuned-length) headers

Shorty headers are a direct bolt-on replacement for the cast manifolds and keep the catalytic converters in the stock location. They typically add about 10–15 wheel horsepower on a 5.7 Hemi, build strong low-end and mid-range torque, install in roughly a half to full day, and generally require no tune because the O2 sensors and cats stay put. For a near-stock truck, this is the sweet spot of value, ease, and emissions-friendliness.

Long-tube headers

Long-tube headers use longer individual primaries that merge into a 4-into-1 collector further downstream, maximizing high-rpm scavenging. Expect roughly 15–30+ wheel horsepower, with the biggest gains living above about 3,500 rpm. The trade-offs: they are louder, almost always relocate the O2 sensors (so O2 extension harnesses are needed), usually pair with high-flow catted mid-pipes, and a custom tune is strongly recommended to optimize fueling and clear catalyst-efficiency codes. On 2015-and-newer trucks the PCM is encrypted and must be unlocked before custom tuning.

The 5 Best Headers for the 2009–2018 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi

Each kit below is in stock at NLP Performance and verified to fit the 5.7L Hemi-powered Ram 1500. We have ranked them by best all-around value, then organized by use case — CARB-legal, premium, maximum power, and budget OE-style.

1. BBK 1-3/4 in. Titanium-Ceramic Shorty Headers — Best Overall

BBK has been building bolt-on power for American muscle and trucks since 1988, and its 1-3/4 in. shorty headers are our go-to recommendation for the 4th-gen Ram. The titanium-ceramic coating manages underhood heat, resists corrosion, and gives the tubes a durable dark finish. Because the design retains the factory cat and O2 locations, most owners install these without a tune and without a check-engine light. If you prefer a brighter look, the same header is offered in a silver-ceramic finish for $523.94.

2. JBA Cat4Ward Shorty Header (Raw 409SS) — Best CARB-Legal Pick

If you live in California — or any emissions-checked county — the JBA Cat4Ward is the header to buy. It carries CARB Executive Order EO D-57-35 for the 2009–2018 Ram 1500 5.7L (PN 1961S-2), which makes it 50-state street legal because it keeps the catalytic converters in their factory position. The 1-5/8 in. primaries and "Fire Cone" collectors favor low-end and mid-range torque that suits a daily-driven half-ton, and JBA backs the header with its well-known million-mile limited warranty. Choose raw 409 stainless to save money, or step up to a silver-coated version for added corrosion protection.

3. aFe Twisted Steel 304SS Headers — Best Premium Build

aFe Power's Twisted Steel headers are built from premium 304 stainless steel with mandrel-bent tubing and a 4-into-1 merge collector for maximum scavenging. The larger-diameter tubing improves throttle response and adds an aggressive note that shorties can't match. aFe markets best-case dyno gains as high as +37 hp and +58 lb-ft — treat that as a peak figure rather than a typical result — but real-world gains in the 15–25+ wheel-hp range are realistic with supporting mods and a tune. Note that this is a 49-state part and is not CARB-legal in California.

4. BBK Long-Tube Headers with High-Flow Catted Y-Pipe — Best for Maximum Power

For the biggest naturally aspirated gains, this BBK kit pairs 1-3/4 in. long-tube headers with a matched high-flow catted Y-pipe, so you get the full top-end benefit without a fistful of check-engine codes. It is the most complete bolt-on exhaust upgrade on this list, and the titanium-ceramic coating keeps underhood temperatures in check. Plan on a custom tune to optimize fueling and recover the slight off-idle torque that long-tubes can trade away — and budget extra time if your truck is 4WD or a 2015-and-newer model with an encrypted PCM.

5. aFe BladeRunner Ported Exhaust Manifolds — Best OE-Style Upgrade

Not everyone wants tubular headers. The aFe BladeRunner is a cast replacement manifold with the inlet and outlet ports machined to match the factory gaskets, plus walls roughly 25% thicker than the crack-prone OEM castings. That makes it the most durable, OE-style way to address the Hemi manifold-bolt and ticking problem while picking up a little flow — ideal for an owner who values longevity and a factory-quiet install over maximum horsepower. At $500 it slots between a budget shorty and the premium tubular options.

Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi Header Comparison

Here is how the five headers compare on design, construction, and California legality. Prices are current at NLP Performance and every product links to its in-stock listing.

Do You Need a Tune After Installing Headers?

Shorty headers generally do not require a tune, while long-tube headers do. Shorty kits like the BBK and JBA keep the catalytic converters and O2 sensors in their factory locations, so the PCM sees normal readings and most trucks run cleanly with no codes. Long-tube headers relocate the O2 sensors downstream and change exhaust behavior enough that a custom tune is recommended — both to optimize fueling and to clear catalyst-efficiency codes. A handheld tuner with a Hemi calibration handles most 2009–2014 trucks, but 2015-and-newer Rams use an encrypted PCM that must be unlocked first, typically adding $200–$600 to the project.

Are Hemi Headers Legal in California?

Most aftermarket Hemi headers are not legal in California unless they carry a CARB Executive Order (EO) number for your exact year, make, and model. Of the kits here, only the JBA Cat4Ward is CARB-exempt (EO D-57-35) because it keeps the cats in the stock position; the BBK shorty, BBK long-tube, aFe Twisted Steel, and aFe BladeRunner are sold as 49-state parts that are not legal for street use in California. Long-tube headers, which relocate the catalytic converters, almost never qualify for an EO. If you register your truck in California or another emissions-checked area, choose the JBA — or keep your factory manifolds.

Installation: What to Expect

Shorty headers and the BladeRunner manifolds install in the factory location and take roughly a half to full day for a confident DIYer, or a couple of hours on a shop lift. Long-tube kits are a bigger job — plan on about 6–8 hours at home, 3–4 hours for an experienced shop, and more if your Ram is 4WD because of driveshaft and front-differential clearance. Regardless of which kit you choose, always install new manifold gaskets and hardware; upgrading to stainless ARP-style studs is cheap insurance against repeat bolt failure. Long-tube installs also need O2 sensor extension harnesses to reach the relocated bungs and avoid a check-engine light. At NLP Performance we recommend doing headers at the same time as a cat-back exhaust or cold-air intake to save on labor and stack the gains.