Best Headers for 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7 HEMI Guide

Bolt-on headers are the single most effective way to wake up a 5.7L HEMI, and the best headers for the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7 HEMI turn a soft, restrictive factory exhaust manifold into free-flowing tubes that add real wheel horsepower and a deeper V8 tone. The factory 5.7L Eagle HEMI in these trucks is rated at 395 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque, but it breathes through heavy cast-iron manifolds designed for cost and quiet, not flow. Swap them for a proper set of shorty or long-tube headers and you unlock power the factory left on the table. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, headers are one of the first upgrades we recommend for any HEMI Ram owner chasing throttle response, sound, and mid-range grunt.

How Much Horsepower Do Headers Add to a 5.7 HEMI?

Headers add roughly 10 to 30 wheel horsepower to a 5.7L HEMI depending on the style you choose. Shorty headers on a 2009-2018 Ram 1500 typically pick up 10-15 wheel horsepower and a similar torque bump in the low-to-mid range, while a full long-tube system with high-flow catted pipe and a supporting tune can add 25-30 wheel horsepower — and in some dyno tests even more. A widely cited Holley test swapped factory cast-iron manifolds for 1-3/4 in long tubes and saw the HEMI climb from 407 to 442 horsepower, a 35-horsepower gain, with torque spread from 3,000 rpm all the way past 6,000 rpm.

The reason is simple: the factory manifolds are short, log-style castings that trap exhaust pulses. Aftermarket headers use equal-length, mandrel-formed primary tubes that scavenge spent gases more efficiently, so each cylinder breathes better. On our Tampa dyno the biggest, most usable gains from shorties land right where a truck lives — 2,500 to 4,500 rpm — which is exactly the range you use merging, towing, and passing.

Shorty vs. Long-Tube Headers: Which Is Right for Your Ram 1500?

Shorty headers are the smarter choice for most daily-driven Ram 1500 trucks, while long-tube headers are the pick when you want maximum horsepower and an aggressive full-exhaust build. Shorties bolt into the factory location, keep your catalytic converters and O2 sensor positions, and usually run great with no tune — a clean, reversible upgrade that still nets 10-15 wheel horsepower and a noticeably deeper idle. Long tubes replace the manifolds and the down-pipe/Y-pipe entirely, moving the catalysts farther back for a bigger 25-30 wheel-horsepower gain that really wakes up above 3,500 rpm.

The trade-off with long tubes is complexity. They almost always require a custom ECU tune to correct fueling and rear O2 readings, and on 2015 and newer HEMI trucks the PCM is encrypted — you cannot simply plug in a handheld until the computer is unlocked, which adds roughly $200-$600 to the project. Long tubes can also soften torque just off idle by changing exhaust velocity, and in a heavy half-ton you may feel that more than you would in a lightweight Charger or Challenger. For a truck that tows and daily-drives, our Tampa shop leans shorty; for a weekend brawler chasing every horsepower, long tube is the answer.

The 5 Best Headers for the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7 HEMI

We carry headers spanning every budget and build goal for the 5.7L HEMI Ram, from a $505 bolt-on shorty to a $2,646 hand-built race set. Each option below is confirmed to fit the 2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI in both 2WD and 4WD configurations. Prices are current at NLP Performance.

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

BBK has built bolt-on power parts for American V8s since 1988, and their 1-3/4 in tuned-length shorty is the header we put on more HEMI Rams than any other. The tubing is CNC mandrel-bent for smooth flow, capped with 3/8 in CNC-machined flanges that seal tight, and finished in a titanium-ceramic coating that shrugs off rust and cuts underhood heat. Because it retains the factory catalytic converters and O2 locations, most 2009-2014 trucks run it with no tune at all. For $505.56 it is the highest value-per-dollar power adder in this guide.

2. JBA Cat4Ward 1-5/8 in Raw 409 Stainless Shorty — Best Stainless Shorty

JBA's Cat4Ward shorty is built from 1-5/8 in 409-series stainless steel and uses the company's patented firecone collector to smooth the transition into the factory pipe. Stainless construction means it will never rust from the inside out the way a coated mild-steel header eventually can, and JBA backs it with a million-mile limited warranty. Like the BBK, it keeps your catalytic converters in the stock location, so it is emissions-friendly outside of California and generally does not require a tune. At $819.12 it is the pick for owners who want stainless durability in a true bolt-on shorty.

3. aFe Twisted Steel Shorty Headers — Best Flow-Focused Shorty

aFe's Twisted Steel shorty is made from 16-gauge 409 stainless with mandrel-bent primaries and a 4-into-1 mitered merge collector engineered to cut turbulence and speed up exhaust velocity. The 100% hand-MIG-welded construction and 3/8 in flanges make for a leak-free seal, and aFe rates the header at up to 20 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque when paired with their matching Y-pipe. It fits 2009-2016 Ram 1500 trucks in 2WD and 4WD and retains the factory cats. At $1,099.00 it sits between the value shorties and the premium race sets, and it is a strong choice for owners who plan to add an aFe Y-pipe down the road.

4. BBK 1-3/4 in Long-Tube Headers w/ Catted Y-Pipe — Best for Max Power

When you want the biggest number, this is the kit. BBK's full-length long-tube system uses 1-3/4 in CNC mandrel-bent tubing, a patented scavenging collector, and a matched high-flow catted Y-pipe that connects with gasketless ball-and-socket joints. Because it moves the catalysts rearward and frees the entire exhaust path, it delivers the +25-30 wheel-horsepower gains that shorties can't reach, with a broad torque curve that pulls hard past 3,500 rpm. Plan on a custom tune — and an unlocked PCM if your truck is a 2015 or newer — to get the most out of it. Titanium-ceramic coating keeps it looking sharp and running cool.

5. Kooks 1-5/8 x 1-3/4 in Stainless Shorty Headers — Premium Race Pedigree

Kooks has been building championship-winning headers since 1962, and their 5.7 HEMI shorty is a no-compromise piece: 304 stainless steel, a stepped 1-5/8 to 1-3/4 in primary design that broadens the torque curve, and TIG-welded construction handcrafted in the USA. This is the header for the builder who wants the same brand that hangs off NHRA and NASCAR machinery under their truck. At $2,645.90 it is the most expensive shorty here, but it is also the most durable and the best flowing — a lifetime part for a truck you plan to keep.

2009-2018 Ram 1500 5.7 HEMI Headers Comparison Table

Here is how all five headers stack up on design, material, primary tube size, and price. Tap any product name or price to shop it directly at NLP Performance.

Do You Need a Tune After Installing Headers?

Shorty headers that retain the factory catalytic converters usually do not require a tune, but long-tube headers almost always do. Because shorties keep the cats and O2 sensors in their stock positions, the factory PCM sees a nearly identical exhaust signature and runs fine — most 2009-2014 Ram 1500 owners bolt on a BBK, JBA, aFe, or Kooks shorty and drive away without touching the computer. Long tubes are different: they relocate the catalysts, so the rear O2 sensors read differently and the fuel maps need adjusting to prevent a check-engine light and to capture the full power gain.

The wrinkle for newer trucks is PCM encryption. Starting in 2015, Ram locked the HEMI's PCM, so you cannot flash a tune with an off-the-shelf handheld until the computer is unlocked. Budget an extra $200-$600 to have the PCM unlocked or to buy a pre-unlocked unit, then a tuner such as a DiabloSport or HP Tuners setup handles the calibration. If you would rather keep it simple, that is one more reason a shorty is the easy button for a 2015-2018 truck.

Installation: What to Know Before You Bolt On

Header installation on a 5.7L HEMI Ram is an intermediate DIY job that takes most shops 3 to 5 hours per side of the truck depending on access. On 4WD trucks the driver-side steering and front axle tighten up the workspace, so plan for extra time and fresh manifold gaskets and bolts. Always start the new hardware by hand to avoid cross-threading the aluminum heads, torque the flange bolts in a crisscross pattern, and re-torque after a heat cycle or two once the gaskets have seated. Anti-seize on the bolts makes future service far easier.

If you would rather leave it to a professional, our team at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL installs headers on HEMI Rams regularly and can pair the job with a supporting Y-pipe, cat-back, or tune for a complete exhaust build. Every header in this guide ships from our warehouse ready to bolt on, and we can help you match the right primary size and material to your goals before you buy.