First Mods

[TDevil]

So, I mentioned this a little in my intro post, but want to get some feedback as to order. The truck has a ton of power for me, but there is never too much, and any mpg gains I pick up will be welcome too. I'm tying to decide an order right now:

( A ) Vararam Intake (possibly with Throttle Body)
( B ) Magnaflow or Borla Exhaust
( C ) Diablo InTune with HemiFever tune

Then the non-performance stuff:
( A ) Hard folding tonneau cover (either EnCore or Fibermax or Fold-A-Cover)
( B ) Step Rails (I'm a short guy, lol, need rails from wheel to wheel)
( C ) Badge delete and possible Ram tailgate Badge replacement

I'm waiting a week or so before any real performance mods (to "break in the engine") So, that said, my question is for the exhaust, since I have factory dual exhaust, any real benefit to a new cat back system, or just muffler? I'll just ask for the size from you guys, as I'm sure you can tell me exact part numbers of what I need from either Borla or Magnaflow, lol
The Fold-A-Cover seems nice, but they seem to have stopped selling them through some vendors (amazon, etc) so I'm wondering if they are either not doing great or are coming out with something new. Thoughts?

 

[BlkRamRt]

I WOULD GET THIS EXCEPT FOR (B) BUY A MUFFLER AND GET IT WELDED ON OR A MUFFLEX KIT AND ITS BOLT ON. SAVE A FEW BUCKS HERE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE. JUST MY OPINION.

( A ) Vararam Intake (possibly with Throttle Body)
( B ) Magnaflow or Borla Exhaust
( C ) Diablo InTune with HemiFever tune

 

[Darkflow]

Do the performance mods 1st. I'm more of a fan of Borla than I am of Magnaflow. So im going with that choice lol but both are good choices. I say get the catback system for whichever you choose, better quality.

 

[Bully's Performance]

Do the performance mods 1st. I'm more of a fan of Borla than I am of Magnaflow. So im going with that choice lol but both are good choices. I say get the catback system for whichever you choose, better quality.

Fully agree w/ the bolded parts I do not not disagree with the Borla they do make a great product, but my preference is for Magnaflow on the trucks, but like you said both are great products

 

[TDevil]

Well, ordered the Vararam and Diablo intune with Hemifever tune from Moe's. Going to have a local shop install a magaflow system this week (assuming I tip 500 miles by then)
Also, having a local shop de-badge the truck for $30 this week. Excited to get playing!

 

[Ramguy65]

I drove my truck from the dealer right over to a muffler shop and had a true dual sytem installed with a Magnaflow. Love the sound. True duals give you more HP and better fuel economy but also costs a bit more.

 

[cullen17]

Debadging the truck is easy. let it sit out in the sun for an hour or two. get some fishing line and the badges come off super easy. if you look in the DIY forum section there is a stickied thread that explains how to do it!

 

[LaramieLimited]

Also if you really like Borla, MOPAR Performance system is technically a borla.

 

[Heywood]

Also if you really like Borla, MOPAR Performance system is technically a borla.

But add 20% to the price for the Mopar etching.

The Challengers were the same way.

Mopar on the R/T was/is a Borla.

Mopar on the SRT's were/are a re-badged Corsa Sport.

Wasn't sure about the trucks.

To the OP:

Solid list. I'd go performance first. Intake, Vararam, exhaust and tuner with HF tune... can't miss.

Buy the exhaust for what sounds best to you and don't buy the advertising hype on the performance aspect of them. You'll sleep better at night that way.

 

[audio1der]

If you're adding mods to help MPG, do yourself and run some numbers on how many mile you'll have to drive before all that $$ pays for itself.
If you're after sound/power, go for it and have fun.

The only mod which may pay for itself in a reasonable amount of time, and has shown itself to help on my truck and another local 4.7 near me, is the "Big 3" ground upgrade. Youtube it.

 

[TDevil]

Cullen17 - Thanks, but right now I'm self employed so my time is very precious to me, so if I can take it to a shop and let them do something like that in an hour while I'm in a deli across the street working, it's more than worth the $30 to me. Usually I do everything I can myself, but my schedule is too nuts right now to spend the time to do something that to me is trivial (from a mechanical standpoint.) I will however be installing the intake myself.
Heywood-Thanks. The intake and tuner have already shipped, so I'm hoping to get them in this week before I leave for Chicago on Saturday. Otherwise they will have to wait til late next week when I get back. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go Magnaflow, just have to decide full cat back or just muffler and y pipe (since I have factory dual exhaust)
audio1der - Thanks for the heads up, I had never heard of that mod before (and I've been modding my trucks for 15 years now) I did install an under drive pulley in my last Ranger, but I'm not sure I understand how the Big 3 upgrade will help mpg? I'm always open to playing, but I just don't see how this helps mpg by upgrading that part of the electrical system. Can you explain it? Thanks everyone!

 

[TDevil]

Ok, exhaust done! Took it to my local shop that's been doing my exhaust work for 13 years now and they changed out the Y pipe and replaced the muffler with a Magnaflow. Little louder in the cab than I hoped, but sounds awesome going down the road. Put a big smile on my face when I took off out of the parking lot! Tomorrow the Vararam and Diablo tuner are set to arrive. I'm hoping to get them in tomorrow afternoon, and will have to wait to paint the vararam cover til I get back from a business trip on Wednesday.

 

[DavidRam]

Coming along nicely! You don't wast much time.

 

[TDevil]

Damn work. I have a vararam intake and diablo tuner in my foyer right now and no time to install it. Oh well, will give me something to look forward to when I get home.

 

[smarsmar101]

You'll feel the difference with the vararam and tuner... wow, i wish i had the money right now....