Different versions of the engine, but my Challenger had the same issues when new. I found that a common problem was that the intake manifold bolts were not any where close to the torque spec. After torquing them down it helped my idle and start up issues. The next thing I tried was changing the plugs at 20k, 10k miles early but I also read that the spark plug gaps from the factory were inconsistent and that was the case with mine also. Properly gaped and installed the new plugs and I have not had one issue with start up or idle since, and throttle response was greatly increased.
Check the torque spec of the intake manifold first, its free and I would be interested to see if this is also an issue on the Rams 5.7.
True, just checked mine 3 weeks ago. Intake manifold bolts should be torqued to 9ft-lbs or 108in-lbs. Common complaint with our Hemi's. Aslo the battery temp sensor(IBS) on the negative termal, if it's got any issues could cause that longer cranking.
Last summer there was a couple of us on here with the longer cranking times than normal problem. Mine went away by cleaning the terminal connecter. You might also have a pending code in relation to battery temp not right.For some changing the battery worked.
OPERATION
The battery sensor measures, calculates and reports battery: voltage, current, temperature, state of charge and other parameters via a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus to a master control module (engine controller, body controller etc). The battery sensor is used to optimize vehicle performance (maintain battery charge, fuel economy etc) via the vehicles electrical system
The battery sensor is readable/diagnosable via a “scan tool” that can display all of the available parameters needed for vehicle servicing or trouble shooting.
Information the Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) send out on the CAN Bus is
SOC = Battery State of Charge: Percentage the residual charge of the battery in respect to its nominal capacity. In few words represents how much the battery is charged.
SOH = Battery State of Health: Send a percentage of the real capacity of the battery in respect to the nominal capacity of the battery. It’s so called because during the functioning, the battery is subject to irreversible processes that reduce its capacity to be recharged and to give energy (battery ageing).
SOF = Battery State of Function: The prediction of the minimum voltage that will be reached during a cranking phase
When the IBS is powered up for the first time or is powered after a power disconnection, it goes into a so called “recalibration” phase, where the IBS must recognize the type of battery and its characteristics and state. So in this phase the tolerances on the state functions (SOC, SOF, SOH) are greater than in normal working condition.
