The 5.7 HENI engine has to be one of the most popular engines and many muscle car enthusiasts absolutely love it. The engine makes a well-balanced, reliable and powerful option for a Dodge Charger, Challenger or RAM truck. But as impressive as it sounds, the 5.7 HEMI’s best performance is still left to be discovered. Investing in a strong set of performance headers is one way to take it to the next level.
In this article, we will look at why headers are a good option for your 5.7 HEMI engine, how they improve its working and finally, the things you need to look out for when buying 5.7 HEMI headers.
The 5.7 HEMI Engine Explored
The 5.7 HEMI engine can be considered a king amongst all engines and has been around since the 1970s. The engine also makes use of the traditional HEMI design which includes a Hemispheric combustion chamber that enhances airflow and enables a greater level of power. It is however still sometimes used in lower-performance models but it can get more out of the vehicle when paired with an aftermarket performance part like a header. As you might know, the HEMI is known for its grunty power and balanced components, that why it’s a staple engine for any high-performance vehicle. A majority of these factory components are not designed to provide maximum power but provide economic efficiency.
Fitting a header on a 5.7 HEMI engine will immediately increase available horsepower and torque but will also be more fuel-efficient.
What Headers Are and What is Their Role?
Headers can already be used since they take the place of the restrictive stock exhaust manifolds on the truck that can create bottlenecks on the exhaust system. Unlike stock manifolds, headers possess individual tubes for each cylinder that allow the exhaust gasses to come into a collector with less restriction before entering the exhaust pipe.
5 7 HEMI headers work best with 5.7 HEMI engine due to their design. Headers with even the entire length of the tubes and smooth bends work to enhance how exhaust gases escape the engine. This happens as the exhaust gases rush out of the cylinder and create a low pressure vacuum that assists in drawing in a new air and fuel mixture into the combustion chamber. This makes the engine more efficient, and thus, more horsepower and improved throttle response get yielded.
Why Need to Replace Stock Headers by the Aftermarket and Why are they So Important for the 5.7 HEMI Engine
Increased Horse Power and Torque
With the installation of headers, the second most shocking gain is the remarkable boost in power and torque that comes with it. It is true that the 5.7 HEMI engine is an extremely powerful platform but it definitely stands to benefits when improved airflow has been incorporated. If pressure and exhaust flow is improved by headers, an addition of 10 to 20 horsepower can be expected. Even more substantial gains are seen when these are combined with other performance builds to enhance power output.
Improved Throttle Response
Thanks to the unique construction of headers, there is an enhanced scavenging effect meaning that the engine can breathe better. This means that whenever you step on the throttle, it will feel like your 5.7 HEMI engine comes alive. Such a change is easily noticed, whether on the highway or the racetrack.
Fuel Efficiency Gains
Although mostly categorized as performance upgrades, headers also have the advantage of improving fuel economy. Headers lower the energy expended pumping exhaust gases out, since they will make it easier for the engine to expel them. This is a valuable benefit for those who own 5.7 HEMI engines in RAM trucks, as mileage can be an important factor.
Enhanced Sound
Installing headers for 5.7 HEMI engines doesn’t solely improve performance, but it also changes the exhaust note for the better. Larger header designs can change the sound of the engine completely, creating a more aggressive tone usually found on performance vehicles. That’s a sound performance car enthusiasts would love to hear, making this upgrade worthwhile.
Choosing the Right Headers for Your 5.7 HEMI Engine
There are some considerations you need to make when choosing headers to ensure that you get the best from this upgrade.
Material Once more, headers are typically made of stainless, mild, or ceramic-coated steel. Undoubtedly, the most common material for headers is stainless steel because it provides more durability and is resistant to corrosion which can be essential in headers places that operate at high temperature. On the other hand, ceramic coatings are beneficial in heat moderation and protecting the components at the vicinity. Tube Length Headers are basically classified into two basic types which are short headers and long tube headers.
Shorty headers are more convenient, easily installed, and are perfect for installations where the engine bay is narrow. Long tube headers, on the other hand, provide much greater performance gains at higher RPMs than shorty headers, which is why they are the favorites of enthusiasts in search of maximum power. Fitment and Compatibility First and foremost, it’s important to use headers built for a 5.7 HEMI engine and a compatible vehicle. If the headers are not fitted properly, it can make the installation difficult, cause leakage, and subsequent operational problems. A lot of manufacturers make headers for particular vehicles so that it’s easier for people to install headers.
Budget In the market for 5.7 HEMI engines, some remember that high-quality headers can be really hard to find, quality comes at a price and some may even benefit from the cheaper end of the spectrum and others may opt for higher-end performance headers. There is quite a bit of temptation to go with the cheaper alternative, however that will be detrimental in the long term as solid brands provide long term benefits.
Installation and Additional Considerations
Having headers fitted on a 5.7 HEMI engine can be a tricky affair. Obviously, it takes proper know how to have the job done accurately. Experienced Do it yourself (DIY) fans would surely want to have a go at it. However, most prefer to let someone do the work for them rather than risk anything. If headers are installed incorrectly, intake exhaust can get weak and performance can produce unwanted sounds.
Furthermore, upgrading to headers may require altering the rest of the exhaust system which may include connecting pipes or catalytic converters. Some long tube headers may require modifying the fuel- air ratio and require a special tune ‘slotted’ for your 5.7 HEMI engine to realize its full potential.
Are Headers Worth It for Your 5.7 HEMI Engine?
Updated headers have proven to be among the most efficient upgrades you can install on your 5.7 HEMI engine. Especially, if you’re looking to upgrade a few things, such as adding horsepower, throttle response enhancement, stunning exhaust noise or more or less anything else, there aren’t many things that could compete with headers. Simply an upgrade, which enthusiasts that are ready to go another step with their vehicle should haveered headers are among the best modification prables.
Nonetheless, not everybody may be a fan of headers. If you are comfortable with the factory 5.7 HEMI engine output, and care more about the engine reliability, then not investing in headers may be worth it. However, if you are looking to maximize the capabilities of your engine, then the header is an improvement, which will make you thankful.
Conclusion
For performance enthusiasts, the 5.7 HEMI engine represents a fantastic platform, and one of the thousand modifications to consider is the heads upgrades. Since headers reduce backpressure, increase exhaust flow and improve scavenging, they offer tremendous boosts in horsepower, torque and throttle responsiveness.
When selecting an appropriate set of headers for 5.7 HEMI applications, keep in mind material, tube length and fitment, as these are all important aspects to ensure the right set for the intended purpose. From building a track car, a daily driver to a RAM truck upgrade, getting headers is a worthwhile enhancing performance investment.
Today go ahead and elevate your 5.7 HEMI engine with the right headers and enjoy the adrenaline rush of an altered driving technique. Best performance, sound and feel of a high-ender car will be achieved if the right establishment is done together with the correct headers choice.
