Dodge Ram Supercharger Can Transform Your Pickup Truck
Everyone knows that Dodge Ram is a powerful truck. It is one of the most popular pickups you can find today — and for a reason. But some people are interested in making it even better. Enter the Dodge Ram supercharger.
Installing a blower on your Ram can upgrade it and transform it in just a couple of hours. If you are interested in learning more about blowers for your Dodge Ram, you’re in the right place!
03 Hemi Supercharger
Supercharging a Hemi engine is an excellent way to increase the performance of the vehicle. But there are many different versions of Hemi engines and even more superchargers on the market.
If we take a look at the single year, 2003, for example, we can notice several different engine versions available. Dodge Ram is one of many vehicles that used Hemi engines from the start of the third generation, and they are still in use today.
Furthermore, you can find different types of superchargers based on how they work, but we will talk more about that later.
Hemi Engines
The production of Hemi engines started in 1951. The name came from the hemispherical design of combustion chambers, which the company altered with the last generation. However, the original name remained.
Chrysler offered three generations of Hemi engines:
- First-gen: 1951–1958
- Second-gen: 1964–1971
- Third-gen: 2003
Even though these engines were so popular, the company moved to other types before reintroducing them in 2003. Many iconic vehicles had Hemi engines like Dodge Charger, Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda, and of course, Dodge Ram.
Our primary focus here is superchargers for Ram, a series of pickup trucks manufactured by Dodge.
Dodge Ram
Dodge Ram was first introduced in 1981 models, and it was one of the most popular pickup trucks in the country. Currently, Ram is in its fifth generation, which started in 2019.
- First-gen: 1981–1993
- Second-gen: 1994–2001
- Third-gen: 2002–2008
- Fourth-gen: 2009–2018
- Fifth-gen: 2019
The design and specifications of Ram changed over the years, and each generation offers a couple of different models (at least when it comes to engines). The first one offered models with l6, V6, and V8 engines, the second one introduced V10 along with V6 and V8, and each model had different performance and power.
If you own a Dodge Ram from 2003, it is a part of the third generation of Ram. The reason why this is so important is that Chrysler reintroduced Hemi engines for this series. Of course, Hemi is not the only type of engine, and Ram slowly adapted to the change.
Magnum V6 and V8 were still available, as well as Cummins diesel l6 engines. But it was also the first series that offered a brand new 5.7-liter Hemi V8.
Is There a Dodge Ram 3.7 Supercharger?
Yes. A 3.7 engine was in 1500 models from 2002 to 2008. It is a 226 cu-in Magnum V6 engine, at least when it comes to the third generation of Ram. That means that you can find a supercharger for RAM 1500, and it can significantly boost the performance.
However, we should mention that none of the 3.7 models are Hemi. There are a couple of different Rams that use engines of this size.
Dodge Ram 1500 | 2002 to 2008 | Magnum V6 | 215 hp, 235 lb-ft |
---|---|---|---|
Dodge Ram 1500 | 2009 to 2012 | PowerTech V6 | 215 hp, 235 lb-ft |
So, if you own a Ram with a 3.7-liter engine, it was manufactured between 2002 and 2012. Only during this decade was it possible to find Dodge Ram trucks with these particular engines.
The primary reason why this is important is that superchargers are designed to fit a specific engine, which means that you will have two different options for blowers. One is for Magnum, and the other one is for PowerTech. You can’t just buy a model that’s for a 3.7 engine since there is a chance that it won’t fit. You will also need to know the year your Ram was made.
Third Generation of Hemi
The third generation of Hemi engines first appeared in Dodge Ram. There have been many different models available since it was introduced in 2002. The production of Hemi engines started slow, and we had only one version that had it in the first generation.
Dodge Ram trucks that use Hemi are:
- Dodge Ram 1500 from 2003 to 2008 with 5.7-liters
- Dodge Ram 2500/3500 in 2009 with 5.7 L
- Chassis Cab from 2008 to 2009 with 5.7 L
- Chassis Cab from 2009 with 5.7 L
- Dodge Ram 1500 from 2009 to 2012 with 5.7 L
- Dodge Ram 1500 from 2013 to 2018 with 5.7 L
- Dodge Ram 2500/3500 from 2010 to 2018 with 5.7 L
- Dodge Ram 2500/3500 from 2014 to 2018 with 6.4 L
- Chassis Cab from 2010 to 2015 with 5.7 L
- Dodge Ram 1500 with eTorque 5.7 L w
- 6.2 L supercharged for 1500 TRX
- 6.4 L Heavy Duty (2500)
There have been a few special edition models as well, but they are not as common. Hemi engines have been present in all series of RAM since 2003, and it is possible to find a blower for each of these models. Also, the TRX version is already supercharged, which means you don’t need to buy an additional supercharger for it.
Different Versions of Dodge Ram
As we can see from the previous list, there are many different types of Dodge Ram. Even if we focus on the last few generations, it is possible to find different series in each. Now, the primary difference is in power and engine size.
In essence, we can separate Ram trucks into light-duty and heavy-duty categories. This is mostly based on the payload and towing capacity each model has. Generally, there are four types of Dodge Ram:
- 1500
- 2500
- 3500
- Chassis Cab
The first category falls in the light-duty, while the second and third are considered as heavy-duty trucks. Chassis Cab is similar to the heavy-duty versions. There have been a couple of additional versions like Dodge Ram SRT or Dodge Ram 4000, but they are either limited to a specific market or a special edition of the existing trucks.
What Types of Ram 1500 Superchargers Can You Find?
There are no rules as to what types of superchargers you can find. Generally, you can find any of the traditional Dodge Ram supercharger versions, and those include ones with a twin-screw design, Roots, and even Whipple superchargers.
The main question here is what you are trying to achieve with the kit. After all, each version of the supercharger will offer something different. But, regardless of the model you buy, you will get a significant increase in performance.
Some drivers want a specific type of upgrade, which is great since there are so many blowers available for 1500 Ram. Naturally, it is up to you to decide which model suits you the best.
Finding a Perfect Blower for Your Ram
Now that we understand that there are many different versions of Ram and that the engine is different from model to model, let’s talk about the things you need to know that will help you find the perfect Dodge Ram supercharger for your car.
The first thing on the list is the year your vehicle was manufactured, followed by the size of the engine and the model. As we mentioned before, each series of Ram uses different engines with specifications, and superchargers are not universal. You will need to find a model that can fit the engine in your car.
Let’s say you own a 1500 Ram from 2003, for example. It is a car from the third generation of Dodge Ram, and there were 1500, 2500, and 3500 models released this year. Each version offers a couple of different engines. For 1500, we have 3.7 L, 4.7 L, 5.7 L, and 5.9 L engines.
Once you’ve figured out the size of the engine, you can easily find a supercharger that will be suitable for your Ram. For example if you have a 2014 to 2018 2500/3500 Dodge Ram, you’d need a 6.4 Hemi supercharger.
The New 5.7 Hemi Supercharger
Many owners/drivers own a newer version of Ram, specifically with a 5.7 Hemi engine. The production of the fifth generation of Ram started in 2019, and the only version with a 5.7 Hemi is 1500.
Ram 1500 | 345 horsepower | From 2003 to 2008 |
---|---|---|
Ram 1500 | 390 horsepower | 2009 |
Ram 1500 | 390 horsepower | From 2009 to 2012 |
Ram 1500 | 395 horsepower | From 2013 to 2018 |
Ram 2500/3500 | 383 horsepower | From 2010 to 2018 |
Chassis Cab 3500 | 345 horsepower | From 2008 to 2009 |
Chassis Cab 3500 | 388 horsepower | 2009 |
Chassis Cab | 383 horsepower | From 2010 to 2015 |
The engines available are either 5.7L Hemi Gasoline V8 or Gasoline V8 with eTorque. This will make finding a supercharger a lot simpler since the 5.7 engine is available exclusively for the 1500 version. You won’t need to worry as much, and nearly any supercharger you find for the new Ram will be good.
What You Need to Know About Ram Superchargers
The most important thing when looking for a supercharger is to find the model suitable for your engine. Since there are so many different models of Ram on the market, you will need to inform yourself as much as possible.
If you know the type of engine that’s in your car, you can proceed to find the blower you need. Installing a supercharger is not complex, but we will talk about it later. In general, you can expect more than a 50% increase in horsepower, which can significantly improve the vehicle.
Moreover, it is not the only way to improve performance. You can also consider upgrading rear wheels and tires since each improvement of the car will result in better performance. The best option, of course, is to combine all the small upgrades with a brand new supercharger.
Is Getting a Supercharger for 5.7 Hemi Ram Truck Good?
The short answer is yes. You will allow the engine to work better, and as long as you take care of your car and take it to regular service, there are no downsides. Moreover, installing a supercharger doesn’t require permanent modifications. You don’t need to cut anything. The only thing you will do is replace a couple of parts, and you can always put them back if you feel like it.
As for the performance, you will get a significant boost in horsepower and torque, which will completely transform your Ram. So, why wouldn’t you want to make your truck run even better? It is a win-win situation.
Installation of Supercharger For Dodge 1500 Hemi
Even though superchargers are easy to install, not everyone is comfortable with doing it all by themselves. For those that don’t like the idea of doing something like this on their own, they can always take the truck to the nearest service/workshop and let professionals handle it. Leaving it to professionals is always the safest option, but there are those who are more than capable of installing a blower on their own.
You should plan these additional costs from the start, and it might be smart to contact the service beforehand to know how much it will cost. The process is not complex, but it is something you’ll need to account for when planning to buy a blower.
Can You Supercharge a Ram 1500?
Yes. 318 cu in engines were available since 1981, and they are 5.21-liter V8 models. The engines were also available in the second generation of Ram, and the last available models were in trucks from 2001.
Once you find a blower designed for your version of the 5.21 engine, you can proceed to the installation. Now, there is nothing wrong with installing the blower by yourself if you feel comfortable with it. Some people might dislike the idea, but if you have experience upgrading engines, this shouldn’t be a problem. You can always follow a step-by-step guide to ensure nothing goes wrong.
Maintenance
The next step on our to-do list is maintenance. Now, maintenance for superchargers is nothing special. All you need to do to ensure that the blower works properly is regularly change the oil in the supercharger. The primary reason why this is so important is that oil in the blower serves both as a coolant and for lubrication. As for how often you should do it, the general rule is to change the oil in the supercharger as often as you change it in the engine.
Of course, the safest option is to check out what the manufacturer says about it and follow the procedure for both frequency and brand of oil.
Supercharger Kits For 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi
The 1500 version of Dodge Ram from 2005 has a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. If you are looking to get a supercharger for that specific version of the car, our suggestion would be to go for a complete kit.
With a kit, you will get all the necessary parts you need for the installation, and you won’t need anything else other than time and tools.
It is a simple upgrade for your Ram 1500 5.7l engine, and it will ensure that everything works as smoothly as possible. And as there are many types of superchargers for this specific version of Ram, be sure to find the one that suits your needs.
Supercharger Kits for 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi. Are They the Same?
Yes. Both 2005 and 2006 models belong in the third generation of Ram, and the same 5.7l Hemi V8 engines were used on all models between 2003 and 2008. This means that you can use the same supercharger kit on either of these models.
Of course, be sure to check whether the manufacturer mentioned that the entire series is covered by the same blower. There might be a few changes that won’t affect the power and performance of the vehicle but will affect the fitment of the supercharger.