Can I Put a Supercharger on my 5.7 Hemi? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Can I supercharge my 5.7 Hemi? You probably already know a lot about Hemi engines by Chrysler, as vehicles that boast them are rather popular. Ever since the first Hemi engine was released in 1951, there have been numerous different models and editions. In fact, Chrysler released three generations of Hemi engines, and you can find models with various displacements and power in each of them.
So, what happens if you have a third-gen Hemi? Is this the newest available model? Can you upgrade it and make it run even better? What are your options? Here, we will discuss everything you need to know about newer Hemi engines and Hemi superchargers!
Can You Supercharge a 5.7?
Installing a supercharger is the simplest way to increase the performance of the engine. But can I supercharge my 5.7 Hemi? It turns out that you can supercharge stock engines without any problems.
The reason for this is that companies that design superchargers make them based on the original specifications and dimensions of the engine. That means that if you modify something, you might struggle a bit to fit the blower onto the engine.
However, stock versions will work incredibly well, and you can find kits designed for each series of Hemi engines. Of course, there are several things you need to know first before you start searching for the perfect supercharger system.
[read more]Can I Supercharge My 5.7 Hemi? – Details
Each series of Hemi is different, and there might be a couple of slight changes between each model as well. This is why you need to know the series of the vehicle, as well as the year of manufacturing. That way, you will have an easier time finding a kit that can fit the car you own.
This is just the first step of the process since there are also different models of superchargers, and each offers something unique for the performance. Naturally, it all comes down to what you’re trying to achieve with the upgrade, but have no fear. We will go through everything you need to know here.
Just incase you want to know will a Hellcat supercharger fit a 5.7 Hemi? You can read all about that and more here.
Hemi Engines
Let’s start from the beginning.
What is a Hemi engine? Hemi engines got their name from the hemispherical design of the combustion chamber. These were introduced in 1951, which also marked the beginning of the first-gen Hemi engines.
There have been three different generations of engines that fall into this category:
- The first generation from 1951 to 1958
- The second generation from 1964 to 1971
- The third generation started in 2003
Hemi engines were designed by Chrysler, and you can find them in many different vehicles that use Chrysler engines. Those include Plymouth, Dodge, and of course, Chrysler. Cars with Hemi engines were rather popular in the sixties, and the entire second generation is iconic. We have legendary cars like the Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and others.
Over the years, Chrysler abandoned the true hemispherical design, but they revived the brand with the latest generation, which is still available. As we mentioned before, there are different models of the Hemi engine in each generation. The third one offers:
- 5.7
- 6.1
- 6.2
- 6.4
It is worth mentioning that there are two versions of 6.2 engines named Demon and Hellcat, and they are already supercharged. So, if you own any of the three other Hemi engines, you might want to consider upgrading them.
What Cars Use a 5.7 Hemi?
The 5.7-liter engine was introduced in 2003, and it was originally available on Dodge Ram only. However, the following year offered additional models like the Durango, and the number of vehicles using the 5.7 Hemi kept increasing.
Today, you can find many different cars and trucks powered by this engine. These include:
- Dodge Ram
- Dodge Durango
- Dodge Magnum
- Chrysler 300C
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Dodge Charger
- Jeep Commander
- Chrysler Aspen
- Dodge Challenger
- Jeep Wagoneer
Out of all of these cars, only Magnum, Jeep Commander, and Chrysler Aspen are not available today. They stopped using the 5.7 between 2008 and 2010.
In 2009, Chrysler made a couple of changes to the engine, and one of the first ones was the introduction of VCT or Variable Camshaft Timing. But that was far from being the only change. Chrysler also revised cylinder heads, improving the flow, changes to the manifold, and made a couple of other changes based on the model. As a result, each vehicle using the 5.7 engine has a different power.
| Dodge Ram before 2009 | 345 horsepower | 375 lb-ft of torque |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Magnum before 2009 | 340 horsepower | 390 lb-ft of torque |
| Dodge Ram 2009-2012 | 390 horsepower | 407 lb-ft of torque |
| Dodge Ram after 2013 | 395 horsepower | 410 lb-ft of torque |
The lowest power is on the Dodge Durango (from 2011), Jeep Cherokee, and Jeep Commander with 360 horsepower, while the best performance is reserved for older Durango and Aspen with 399 hp.
Can a Stock 5.7 Hemi Handle a Supercharger?
Some owners might want to know, can you put a supercharger on a 5.7 Hemi.? The answer is yes. Hemi engines go well with blowers, and the most popular options are Roots-type superchargers and ones with the twin-screw design.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t experiment with other types. The best option is to find the one that’s suitable for your taste. The only thing that matters is that you find a supercharger kit suitable for the series of the engine in your car.
As long as you find a suitable blower for your vehicle, regardless of the type, there shouldn’t be any problems. People are often concerned whether the engine can handle it or if the supercharger will cause damage to the vehicle. But there is nothing to worry about.
Superchargers are designed to fit specific engine models and series, and the 5.7 Hemi is quite powerful on its own. So, it can handle it better than most engines on the market. The increase in performance is based mostly on the type of blower you buy and the series of the car you own. As we mentioned before, different models have different power outputs regardless of them having the same engine.
Can You Supercharge a Ram 1500?
Dodge Ram has been around for a while, and you can easily supercharge the engine. However, you can’t use the same supercharger on every version of Dodge Ram 1500. The first model was introduced in 1993, and it is available to this day. However, 1500 went through many changes in the past thirty years, and our focus here is on the vehicles with 5.7 Hemi engines.
The first model with the Hemi engine became available in 2003. It had a 345 cu in V8 offering 345 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. This is the first series that used the new Hemi engine, and it is also the series that came out before the revision. If you own a Dodge Ram manufactured between 2003 and 2008, you can probably use one Dodge Ram supercharger regardless of the year.
As we previously mentioned, Chrysler revised 5.7 Hemi in 2009, which offered an increase in performance. The second series of 1500 Rams with Hemi offered 390 horsepower with 407 lb-ft of torque.
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 5.7-liter (345 cu in) V8 | From 2003 to 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 5.7-liter (345 cu in) V8 | 2009 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 5.7-liter (345 cu in) V8 | From 2009 to 2012 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 5.7-liter (345 cu in) V8 | From 2013 to 2018 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 5.7-liter (345 cu in) V8 | From 2019 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 TRX | 6.2-liter (378 cu in) V8 | From 2014 to 2018 |
These models were available between 2009 and 2012. Finally, the third series was introduced in 2013, and these Dodge Rams are still available. The last increase puts the 5.7 engine at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
The safest option is to try and find a model for a specific year based on your car since it is the only way to ensure that the supercharger will be a perfect fit.
How Can You Supercharge a 5.7 Hemi?
Supercharging a car with 5.7 Hemi is not hard, and there are people who can do it by themselves. If you feel comfortable messing with the engine, and it is something you’ve done in the past, this shouldn’t be an impossible task for you.
You can either find a blower on its own or find a supercharger kit that’s designed for your car. Our recommendation is to always go for the kit since it will arrive with all the necessary parts you’ll need to replace in the process. While it is not impossible to install everything without those parts, you will be forced to either order them separately or risk the performance of your car. If you go for the kit, the only other things you will need are time and tools.
But, how can you find the right blower? The process is quite simple. Let’s say you own a Dodge Ram made in 2005. That means that you will need a supercharger designed for the first part of the third generation of Hemi engines.
All you need to do is find the model that can fit a 5.7 Hemi engine made between 2003 and 2008. And that’s it. The manufacturer of the blower will tell you what engines are supported for each blower, and your goal is to find the one that supports your series of Ram.
The same rule applies to other vehicles that have a 5.7 Hemi engine like the ones we mentioned before in the list.
What Superchargers Can You Find?
In general, there are three different types of superchargers available for cars.
- Centrifugal superchargers
- Positive displacement pumps
- Turbo
Even though turbosuperchargers are still superchargers, people often focus on the first two types. Roots-type superchargers are positive displacement pumps, and they are rather popular for drag racing.
The second option is to go for a standard twin-screw design, and this type of supercharger is used for Hellcat and Demon models of the Hemi engines. Of course, you can also try out Whipple blowers, and they are exceptional.
Regardless of the type of supercharger you pick, you will notice a significant increase in performance. The exact numbers will vary depending on the model of blower you buy. Some offer between 45% and 50% boost, while others will offer more.
In general, you can expect over 150 horsepower more compared to the stock engine. Since we are talking about the engine that is as popular as the Hemi, as well as iconic models like the Charger and Challenger, there is no doubt that you will have plenty of choices when looking for a model for a 5.7-l Hemi engine.
Can I Supercharge My 5.7 Hemi Engine? – Installation & Maintenance
If you decide to install the supercharger by yourself, it will take between 10 and 12 hours, based on your previous experience. But what happens if you don’t want to install it by yourself? Well, you can always take your car to the local service/garage/workshop and leave the entire installation to professionals.
As you can probably guess, this is the safest option since it eliminates the chance of something going wrong. While it will increase the overall price of the blower, it might be the smartest thing to do if you are inexperienced in the field.
Once the installation is over, you can start enjoying your supercharged car. The maintenance of superchargers is quite simple, and all you need to do is replace oil to ensure it runs smoothly. The oil in the blower acts as a coolant and for lubrication, which means it is essential for the proper work of the blower.
You can change the oil in the supercharger as often as you change it in the engine. Our recommendation is to follow the suggestions provided by the manufacturer, both for the maintenance and the brand of oil you should use.
Are 2018 Ram Power Wagon Superchargers a Good Option?
Yes. If you can afford to supercharge your Dodge Ram, it is a great decision. The power gains are worth the price, and the blower will instantly transform your Hemi Dodge engine into a beast.
The best thing about superchargers is that they work even at low RPM, and you will notice the difference as soon as you start the engine. Installing a blower doesn’t require any permanent modifications, the process is reversible, and even if you want to reverse the engine to the stock version, the process will take you just a couple of hours.
So, there is no reason to avoid supercharging your Ram when you can easily make it even better. Hemi engines are one of the most popular versions designed by Chrysler, and supercharging it will allow the car to run even better.