new Ram owner looking for the right mods

[tlizilani]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. Let me start by saying I'm the proud owner of my 1st (def not the last) Dodge Ram 1500. It's an awesome truck. I'm coming over from a tundra and a ford before that and this truck is better than those two.

Now the important stuff, I'm expecting a big chunk of change from work and I plan on getting my usual mods. The cat back exhaust and CAI. I'd love to go true duals but I read that the only true benefit going true duals are when long tube headers are involved. So I'm gonna get a cat back system, im looking for something that will give me a little rumble with some push and has to be wife friendly :-D maybe low drone from inside.

Now the CAI, I've been reading around and right away I'm interested in the VR, it just down right looks awesome, and when ordering from moes they suggest the ported throttle body, is this addition worth it?

Now I'm not looking to be a gas saver or to gain a miracle HPs but I def want that little extra muscle

 

[chuck]

Welcome!! The Vararam and the 87mm Ported TB from Moe's would be an awesome combination. Definitely worth it if you have the money to spare. If you can only get one, get the Vararam now and save up for the TB.

 

[BlkRamRt]

I agree with chuck they both work great together

 

[tlizilani]

Cool! I think I'm settled on that combo. What kind of exhaust are you all running?

 

[BlkRamRt]

i am running a muffler delete by mufflex.

 

[chuck]

I have the stock dual pipes that came with my truck from the factory, only change is the 18" Magnaflow muffler. It gives it a nice deep throaty growl.

 

[UNBROKEN]

For mild mods there's no reason to replace the entire exhaust. The various bolt in muffler swaps are likely within a HP or 2 of a full cat-back replacement and a fraction of the cost.

 

[Hemi450hp]

Everything said above is correct. The VR + Moe's 87mm Combo has been working great. As for the catback exhaust, you will get about the same performance as a simple muffler swap, but the Catback system is completely Bolton and comes with the 5" tips that are so sought after on these trucks. If you are planning to add 5" tips anyways, then I would go straight for the complete catback system. If the stock tips are fine for you, then a simple muffler swap is all that is needed.

 

[Casper]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. Let me start by saying I'm the proud owner of my 1st (def not the last) Dodge Ram 1500. It's an awesome truck. I'm coming over from a tundra and a ford before that and this truck is better than those two.

Now the important stuff, I'm expecting a big chunk of change from work and I plan on getting my usual mods. The cat back exhaust and CAI. I'd love to go true duals but I read that the only true benefit going true duals are when long tube headers are involved. So I'm gonna get a cat back system, im looking for something that will give me a little rumble with some push and has to be wife friendly :-D maybe low drone from inside.

Now the CAI, I've been reading around and right away I'm interested in the VR, it just down right looks awesome, and when ordering from moes they suggest the ported throttle body, is this addition worth it?

Now I'm not looking to be a gas saver or to gain a miracle HPs but I def want that little extra muscle

So far good advice (and excellent advice once Hemi450hp-- Matt @ Moe's--weighs in).
Here's my two cents: Vararam is a great old school look CAI, and a ported Throttle Body is a natural complement to the Hemi. Moe's sells a new OEM TB that has been carefully widened only as you approach full throttle. No warranty worries because it looks stock and doesn't need a custom tune. I have the S&B CAI which is the next best for power but has a clean almost factory look. On my wish-list is a 24" Mufflex kit. That's a Magnaflow muffler of that length,but with all the stainless steel piping needed for DIY bolt on install. Moe's sells them in 14,18, 24" or the muffler delete straight pipe kit.
Tuners are very popular, but I suggest you use the search function on this site and do your homework first.

One other important mod is the PCV oil catch can. It intercepts oil mist that would otherwise be sucked back into your manifold to sludge up your TB and intake--Dodge was lazy on this design and the Billet Tech catch can with 2013 spacer that Moe's sells is an investment in your engine's health. There is so much more, but that's what this forum is for...
Happy Mod'n!

 

[Casper]

I agree with chuck they both work great together

@BlkRamRt: Between the K&N and muffler delete, there is no way you're sneaking in late at night.

 

[Adams2013]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. Let me start by saying I'm the proud owner of my 1st (def not the last) Dodge Ram 1500. It's an awesome truck. I'm coming over from a tundra and a ford before that and this truck is better than those two.

Now the important stuff, I'm expecting a big chunk of change from work and I plan on getting my usual mods. The cat back exhaust and CAI. I'd love to go true duals but I read that the only true benefit going true duals are when long tube headers are involved. So I'm gonna get a cat back system, im looking for something that will give me a little rumble with some push and has to be wife friendly :-D maybe low drone from inside.

Now the CAI, I've been reading around and right away I'm interested in the VR, it just down right looks awesome, and when ordering from moes they suggest the ported throttle body, is this addition worth it?

Now I'm not looking to be a gas saver or to gain a miracle HPs but I def want that little extra muscle

As Far As CatBack Nobody Recommends Them
Muffler Will Do Just Fine

The VR CAI Is A Great Intake
And They Say The 87MM TB
Makes A Great Combo With The VR

 

[tlizilani]

I have the stock dual pipes that came with my truck from the factory, only change is the 18" Magnaflow muffler. It gives it a nice deep throaty growl.

Did you do the install yourself?

For mild mods there's no reason to replace the entire exhaust. The various bolt in muffler swaps are likely within a HP or 2 of a full cat-back replacement and a fraction of the cost.

Everything said above is correct. The VR + Moe's 87mm Combo has been working great. As for the catback exhaust, you will get about the same performance as a simple muffler swap, but the Catback system is completely Bolton and comes with the 5" tips that are so sought after on these trucks. If you are planning to add 5" tips anyways, then I would go straight for the complete catback system. If the stock tips are fine for you, then a simple muffler swap is all that is needed.

Yeaaa in thinking what I'll do is just replace the muffler itself. I just need to figure out which one will get meet my need.

So far good advice (and excellent advice once Hemi450hp-- Matt @ Moe's--weighs in).
Here's my two cents: Vararam is a great old school look CAI, and a ported Throttle Body is a natural complement to the Hemi. Moe's sells a new OEM TB that has been carefully widened only as you approach full throttle. No warranty worries because it looks stock and doesn't need a custom tune. I have the S&B CAI which is the next best for power but has a clean almost factory look. On my wish-list is a 24" Mufflex kit. That's a Magnaflow muffler of that length,but with all the stainless steel piping needed for DIY bolt on install. Moe's sells them in 14,18, 24" or the muffler delete straight pipe kit.
Tuners are very popular, but I suggest you use the search function on this site and do your homework first.

One other important mod is the PCV oil catch can. It intercepts oil mist that would otherwise be sucked back into your manifold to sludge up your TB and intake--Dodge was lazy on this design and the Billet Tech catch can with 2013 spacer that Moe's sells is an investment in your engine's health. There is so much more, but that's what this forum is for...
Happy Mod'n!

Yes I have much to learn about tuners, not quite ready to tackle that yet. As for the catch can that's definitely something to look into. Since I'm ready to drive this truck into my golden years

Thanks for the info dudes

 

[Casper]

De Nada!

 

[Berber5985]

I just put on vararam intake, mufflex 14" exhaust, 87 mm throttle body, and diablo tuner by hemifever, and a catch can. All of the bolt on mods took me an evening to do in between rain showers. The mods have def woken the truck up!

 

[Bully's Performance]

If you are looking at purchasing the above items let me know I would be more than happy to put together a killer bundle price for you

 

[Designflaw]

Like everyone has said, muffler vs. catback, everything stock is already Stainless. Dodge did that part right.

 

[12TrueSport]

Lots of great input so far. Just think of your mods as being additive in nature with an overall goal of making the truck run as efficiently as possible.


Air in = intake, throttle body etc
Air out = exhaust (muffler) maybe headers if you want looks and sound, maybe a slight increase in HP.

MPG = all of the above plus performance sparkplug wires (Tyalor racing etc..)
Tuner - Something to tie all your mods together. best overall perfomance gain (what you will feel the most) and they are good for scanning for DTC's and adjusting tire size for lifts etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mopar_Express]

There is a lot of good advice in this thread. I would recommend starting out with an intake and a muffler. Holding off on a tuner for you may not be a bad choice because the 2013s arent really sorted out yet. When the time comes though dont be afraid of a tuner, they are very easy to install and practically program themselves. I got the Bullydog for my 2012 and it took me overall about an hour to install even with updating the unit and waiting for it to program in the truck. The hardest part was figuring out a fuse to use that was powered by the key. I am noticing major performance gains on my truck with the 93 tune and its only been a few days. Good luck with whatever mods you choose!