Tuner for 2015 and other bolt ons

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Farmer888

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Aug 6, 2018
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ontario
Ram Year
2003
Engine
5.7 hemi
Just upgraded from a 2003 ram 5.7 to a 2015 with 8 speed.
Probably not in the budget for a bit, but thought about a tuner and maybe some of the typical bolt ons for a bit of extra kick.
What do I need for a tuner? I was looking on Moe's and I need a unlocked pcm?
How bad is the factory exhaust for performance? I take it I need to do the intake, exhaust and a tuner to see much of a gain?
I'd like to do headers too like my buddy did with his 2016.
 

crazykid1994

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Florida
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2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
For starts the exhaust after the y pipe is decent. The factory y pipe sucks. You can do long tubes and y pipe or just replace the stock y pipe with one from afe. 15 and newer do require an unlocked pcm. Diablo is what I have but really should depend on your long term plans for the truck. Originally I wasn’t looking at doing much so Diablo was fine but HP tuners gives the tuner more in depth tuning abilities. I’m planning on switching at some point. The stock airbox is better than most aftermarket as it does maintain actual cold air from the fender vs sucking in engine bay air. The best I’ve seen is swapping the lower air box section out for one from a 6.4 truck or the ecodiesel and using the air filter from that as well. If you want good low end torque the 6.4 truck manifold is a great investment unless you plan on running boost through the truck.
 

Adamcr68

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Mar 28, 2020
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Location
Lorton VA
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemifever 5.7
For starts the exhaust after the y pipe is decent. The factory y pipe sucks. You can do long tubes and y pipe or just replace the stock y pipe with one from afe. 15 and newer do require an unlocked pcm. Diablo is what I have but really should depend on your long term plans for the truck. Originally I wasn’t looking at doing much so Diablo was fine but HP tuners gives the tuner more in depth tuning abilities. I’m planning on switching at some point. The stock airbox is better than most aftermarket as it does maintain actual cold air from the fender vs sucking in engine bay air. The best I’ve seen is swapping the lower air box section out for one from a 6.4 truck or the ecodiesel and using the air filter from that as well. If you want good low end torque the 6.4 truck manifold is a great investment unless you plan on running boost through the truck.
I second crazykid1994, I have the long tubes & recently had the S&B cai installed-both done by Quick_
Shifter. I put on a K&N cai when I first got my truck, but it was always dirty & letting in hot air, to do it over I would’ve done the stock box mod he mentioned. I’m trying to save for a cam & the 6.4 manifold, can’t get anymore go or torque with bolt-ons. I did go with HP tune, mines a 15 so had to get a unlocked cpu, but my tuner can adjust if when I get cam & manifold.
 

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danielmid

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Location
Southeast WI
Ram Year
2015 Sport 4x4
Engine
Hemi 5.7
For starts the exhaust after the y pipe is decent. The factory y pipe sucks. You can do long tubes and y pipe or just replace the stock y pipe with one from afe. 15 and newer do require an unlocked pcm. Diablo is what I have but really should depend on your long term plans for the truck. Originally I wasn’t looking at doing much so Diablo was fine but HP tuners gives the tuner more in depth tuning abilities. I’m planning on switching at some point. The stock airbox is better than most aftermarket as it does maintain actual cold air from the fender vs sucking in engine bay air. The best I’ve seen is swapping the lower air box section out for one from a 6.4 truck or the ecodiesel and using the air filter from that as well. If you want good low end torque the 6.4 truck manifold is a great investment unless you plan on running boost through the truck.
AFE doesn't sell the y-pipe anymore that I can find, I've been looking for it.
 

Wild one

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Jan 17, 2016
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Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Just upgraded from a 2003 ram 5.7 to a 2015 with 8 speed.
Probably not in the budget for a bit, but thought about a tuner and maybe some of the typical bolt ons for a bit of extra kick.
What do I need for a tuner? I was looking on Moe's and I need a unlocked pcm?
How bad is the factory exhaust for performance? I take it I need to do the intake, exhaust and a tuner to see much of a gain?
I'd like to do headers too like my buddy did with his 2016.
Being as how you're in Canada,figure on at least $1500 or more to tune it,and another couple grand to put a set of overpriced name brand headers on it. But a set of long tubes / a 6.4 intake manifold and tune will make a very noticable differance. More tuners these days are working with HP instead of Diablo,so you might want to take that into consideration when you're looking at tuners and unlocked pcms. I don't know of anybody in your area unlocking pcms,but CCMR in Edmonton can unlock it these days,and saves you the hassle of getting it across the border.
 
OP
OP
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Farmer888

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ontario
Ram Year
2003
Engine
5.7 hemi
Thanks, Ya I was kind of adding it up and it's likely more than I'll be looking to spend. Sure enough sounds like I have a broken manifold/bolt. Just started ticking when it's cold then goes away.
Will headers help solve the manifold issue? Longtubes the way to go I assume, and how hard to fit in there? Also, will I need a tuner if I do headers and y pipe or will stock tuning be able to compensate?
Sorry for the silly questions, just new to this truck and what's best bang for the buck.
Might have to look into where I can get pcm unlocked,
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,725
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Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Thanks, Ya I was kind of adding it up and it's likely more than I'll be looking to spend. Sure enough sounds like I have a broken manifold/bolt. Just started ticking when it's cold then goes away.
Will headers help solve the manifold issue? Longtubes the way to go I assume, and how hard to fit in there? Also, will I need a tuner if I do headers and y pipe or will stock tuning be able to compensate?
Sorry for the silly questions, just new to this truck and what's best bang for the buck.
Might have to look into where I can get pcm unlocked,
Long tubes are the way to go.Check ebay for them,as the chinese knock-offs actually have a semi decent rep,and are about a 1/3 the price of a set of ARH's or Stainless Works long tubes
 

Burn2k12Ram

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Reno, Nevada
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