Best Headers & Bolt-Ons for 09-18 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi

If you own a 2009-2018 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L Hemi, the single most cost-effective way to wake up the V8 is a set of shorty headers — and the right supporting bolt-ons. The factory cast-iron exhaust manifolds are restrictive log-style castings that choke exhaust flow, and swapping them for 1-3/4-inch tuned-length headers frees up roughly 10-15 horsepower and a deeper exhaust note with no tune required. In this buyer's guide we compare the best headers and airflow bolt-ons for the 5.7 Hemi Ram 1500, with real fitment, dyno-realistic gains, install times, and pricing so you can build a smarter package.

Why the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi Responds to Headers

The 5.7L Hemi in the fourth-generation (DS) Ram 1500 makes 390-395 horsepower from the factory, but it breathes through heavy cast-iron log manifolds that were designed for cost and emissions, not flow. Replacing them with tuned-length shorty headers is the classic first step because it removes a genuine restriction right at the cylinder head. On a stock 5.7 Hemi, quality 1-3/4-inch shorty headers add roughly 10-15 horsepower and 10-15 lb-ft of torque, sharpen throttle response, and give the exhaust a deeper, more aggressive tone.

Shorty headers matter for daily-driven trucks specifically because they bolt to the factory exhaust and keep the catalytic converters and oxygen sensors in their stock locations. That means no custom mid-pipe, no O2 sensor extensions, and no ECU tune to avoid a check-engine light — the truck adapts on its own. Long-tube headers make more peak power (20-30+ hp) but relocate the O2 sensors, usually delete the primary cats, and absolutely require a custom tune. For most Tampa-area Hemi owners who want more power without a headache, shorties are the sweet spot. At NLP Performance we stock the shorty options that fit the 2009-2018 truck below.

Best Shorty Headers for the 5.7 Hemi: BBK 1-3/4-Inch Tuned Length

BBK's shorty headers are our top pick for the 09-18 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. Each header is CNC mandrel-bent from 16-gauge steel to hold a consistent 1-3/4-inch primary diameter, uses a CAD-designed tuned-length runner to build low-end torque, and bolts directly to the factory head flanges and exhaust connection. You choose the finish: a durable Titanium Ceramic coating or a show-quality Polished Silver Ceramic. Both are functionally identical — the choice is looks versus price.

What "Tuned Length" and Ceramic Coating Actually Mean

Two terms sell headers, so it is worth knowing what they buy you. "Tuned length" refers to primary tubes that are cut to a specific length so exhaust pulses arrive at the collector in phase, using the scavenging effect to help pull the next cylinder's spent gases out. BBK's 1-3/4-inch primary is a deliberate size for the 5.7L Hemi: big enough to flow more than the restrictive factory log manifold, but small enough to keep exhaust-gas velocity high for strong low- and mid-range torque — exactly where a 5,000-plus-pound truck needs it. Go too large on primary diameter and you trade away the bottom-end grunt that makes a daily-driven Ram feel quick.

The ceramic coating is not just cosmetic. A ceramic-metallic thermal barrier keeps exhaust heat inside the tube, which lowers under-hood temperatures, protects nearby wiring and the O2 sensors, and resists the rust that eats bare or painted headers in humid Florida driving. BBK offers the same header in a dark Titanium Ceramic finish (part 4014) and a bright Polished Silver Ceramic finish (part 40140); both carry the coating inside and out, so the only real difference is appearance and a roughly $46 price gap. Either way you get a fully welded, one-piece design with a laser-cut flange that seals flat against the head.

Best Bolt-Ons for the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi Compared

Headers work best as part of an airflow package: intake in the front, headers and exhaust out the back. The table below compares our top-selling bolt-ons for the 5.7 Hemi Ram 1500 by category, dyno-realistic power gain, install time, and price. Estimated gains are for each part installed on an otherwise stock truck; stacked together they add up.

Cold-Air Intake: The First Airflow Upgrade

A cold-air intake is the cheapest, fastest way to start a 5.7 Hemi build and it pairs perfectly with headers — feed the engine more air in the front, let it out the back. For 2009-2014 trucks, the aFe Momentum GT Pro Stage-2 Si is our pick: a sealed roto-molded airbox with a large conical filter that aFe rates at up to 18 additional horsepower, installed in about 45 minutes with hand tools. For 2013-2023 trucks (including the Classic), the Corsa closed-box intake with a Donaldson PowerCore filter is a factory-quiet, high-flow option at $448.40.

Throttle Body: More Air, Sharper Response

A larger throttle body is a bolt-on that flows more air into the intake manifold and sharpens throttle response — a great complement to headers and an intake. BBK's Power-Plus 85mm unit is a CNC-machined billet housing that opens up the stock 80mm bore for an estimated 8-12 horsepower on the 5.7 Hemi, and it installs in about 30 minutes. The 85mm and 90mm versions shown here fit 2013-2020 Dodge/Ram Hemi trucks; for 2009-2012 Ram 1500 owners, BBK offers the matching 85mm and 90mm Power-Plus throttle bodies for the earlier 03-12 Hemi.

Cat-Back Exhaust: Unlock the Hemi Growl

Headers open up the front of the exhaust; a cat-back opens up the back. A quality stainless cat-back reduces backpressure for another 10-15 horsepower and, just as importantly, transforms the Hemi's voice into the deep V8 rumble owners are after. The Borla S-Type for 2009-2014 Ram 1500 crew and extended cabs is our go-to: T-304 stainless construction, an aggressive-but-not-droning tone, and Borla's million-mile warranty. Prefer a different budget or year? We also stock MagnaFlow and Gibson cat-backs for the 5.7 Hemi Ram — browse the full exhaust collection to match your cab and bed.

Don't Skip the Gaskets and These Install Tips

Always install fresh header gaskets — reusing the factory gaskets is the fastest way to end up with an exhaust leak and a ticking sound. BBK's Ram 5.7 Hemi header gasket set is a $45.95 insurance policy that seals the new headers to the head. Two more shop-proven tips: first, secure the oxygen-sensor wiring away from the hot header tubes with zip ties, because melted O2 wires are the number-one cause of a post-install check-engine light. Second, re-torque all header bolts after the first few heat cycles — thermal expansion loosens fasteners, and a quick re-torque prevents leaks down the road.

How Much Horsepower Will You Gain?

Realistic, dyno-backed numbers matter more than marketing claims. On a stock 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi, shorty headers alone add roughly 10-15 wheel horsepower. Add a cold-air intake (another 5-15 hp), a larger throttle body (8-12 hp), and a cat-back exhaust (10-15 hp), and a complete bolt-on airflow package commonly nets 25-30 horsepower without ever touching the internals — and it can be more with a supporting tune. Because the Hemi is naturally aspirated, each part removes a different restriction, so the gains stack rather than overlap. Start with headers for the best value, then build outward as your budget allows.