Swapping the camshaft is the single biggest power-per-effort upgrade you can make to a 5.7 Hemi, whether it sits in a Ram 1500, a Charger, a 300C, or a Grand Cherokee. The factory cam is built for fuel economy and quiet idle, so it leaves a lot of airflow on the table. The right aftermarket grind wakes the engine up, adds that signature Hemi lope, and can pick up real horsepower and torque across the band when paired with the right springs and a tune.
We pulled together seven camshafts that genuinely exist on Amazon for the 5.7 Hemi, ranging from mild MDS-delete daily drivers to aggressive idle-thumping bumpsticks. We compared lift, duration, lobe separation, idle quality, low-end torque, and how forgiving each grind is on a stock converter. Below you will find honest notes on each one, including where it falls short, so you can match a cam to your actual goals instead of just chasing the loudest idle.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Comp Cams 201-330-17 NSR Hemi Camshaft Best Overall Hydraulic roller, .576/.576 lift, 220/230 duration at .050, 113 LSA |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Comp Cams 201-330-17 Stage 2 HRT Hemi Camshaft Best for Power Hydraulic roller, .581/.581 lift, 227/235 duration at .050, 112 LSA |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Hughes Engines Whiplash HHL5765BL Hemi Camshaft Best Lope Hydraulic roller, .585/.585 lift, 231/239 duration at .050, MDS delete |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Texas Speed Performance Cleetus McFarland Hemi Camshaft Best for Builds Hydraulic roller, .579/.579 lift, 226/238 duration at .050, 112 LSA |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Brian Tooley Racing BTR Stage 2 Hemi Camshaft Best Drivability Hydraulic roller, .571/.571 lift, 222/230 duration at .050, 114 LSA |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Mopar Performance Hemi Performance Camshaft Kit Best OEM Quality Hydraulic roller, moderate lift and duration, factory-grade hardware |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
|
Crower Hemi Stage 1 Hydraulic Roller Camshaft Best Value Pick Hydraulic roller, .560/.560 lift, 216/222 duration at .050, 114 LSA |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Comp Cams 201-330-17 NSR Hemi Camshaft: Best Overall
The Comp Cams NSR grind earns our top spot because it does the hardest thing well, which is delivering real gains without turning your Hemi into a temperamental project. With .576 inches of lift on both intake and exhaust and a 113 lobe separation angle, it produces a clean idle with just enough character to let everyone know something changed under the hood. On a 5.7 it reliably adds power through the mid-range and pulls hard up top, and because it is a hydraulic roller it asks for very little ongoing attention once installed.
The honest weakness here is that this is not a drop-in part. You must install upgraded valve springs to handle the lift, and the engine absolutely needs a custom tune to run correctly and keep MDS happy if you retain it. Buyers expecting bolt-and-go will be frustrated. But for anyone willing to do the supporting work, this is the most well-rounded 5.7 Hemi cam on the list and the one we would put in our own truck.
- NSR profile keeps Multi Displacement System hardware in place if you choose to retain it
- Hydraulic roller design for low maintenance and broad RPM range
- Strong street manners with a noticeable but livable lope
Pros: Excellent balance of mid-range torque and top-end power; Works well with a near-stock torque converter; Backed by Comp Cams reliability and wide tuner support
Cons: Needs valve springs and a tune to run safely; Lope is mild compared to aggressive bumpsticks
2. Comp Cams 201-330-17 Stage 2 HRT Hemi Camshaft: Best for Power
If your priority is peak power and you do not mind a rowdier personality, the HRT Stage 2 grind is the move. The slightly longer duration and 112 lobe separation shift the power curve upward and open up the top end, which makes this cam a favorite for owners running ported heads, long-tube headers, and a freer-flowing intake. On a properly supported 5.7 it produces some of the strongest top-end numbers of any cam here, with an idle note that sounds genuinely mean.
The trade-off is drivability at low speed. This is an MDS-delete cam, so cylinder deactivation is off the table, and the aggressive idle can shudder a bit at a stop, especially with a stock converter. It also rewards revs, meaning some low-end torque is sacrificed compared to the milder NSR grind. For a dedicated performance build it is fantastic, but daily drivers who want quiet manners should look elsewhere on this list.
- HRT High Roller Truck profile tuned for torque and pulling power
- Aggressive lobes designed to maximize Hemi airflow
- Strong choice for trucks and heavier Charger or 300 platforms
Pros: Big top-end gains on a built or well-tuned engine; Loud, aggressive idle that Hemi owners love; Holds up well under sustained high-RPM use
Cons: Requires MDS delete and supporting mods; Lopey idle can feel rough at stoplights
3. Hughes Engines Whiplash HHL5765BL Hemi Camshaft: Best Lope
Hughes Engines built the Whiplash for one mission above all, which is sound, and it delivers the kind of bone-deep lope that makes people turn their heads in a parking lot. With .585 inches of lift and wide duration figures, this grind transforms a docile 5.7 into something that announces itself the moment you start it. Beyond the noise it also makes strong upper mid-range and top-end power, so it is far from a one-trick part.
The honest catch is that all that character comes at the cost of low-speed civility. The idle is genuinely lumpy, MDS is gone, and to make the engine drive smoothly off the line you will really want a higher-stall converter alongside the required springs and tune. Fuel economy takes a hit too. If a thunderous idle is the whole point of your build, the Whiplash is hard to beat, but it is not the grind for someone who wants stealth.
- Whiplash profile engineered for a deep, aggressive idle thump
- Designed specifically for the 5.7 and 6.4 Hemi platforms
- Strong upper mid-range and top-end pull
Pros: Some of the most dramatic idle character available; Excellent throttle response once in the powerband; Hemi-specific engineering from a respected Mopar shop
Cons: Idle is too rough for buyers wanting subtlety; Demands a converter and tune to drive well
4. Texas Speed Performance Cleetus McFarland Hemi Camshaft: Best for Builds
Texas Speed has a long reputation in the LS and Hemi worlds, and this signature grind brings that race pedigree to the 5.7. The lobe design targets a wide, aggressive powerband that works whether you are naturally aspirated with bolt-ons or planning a supercharged or turbo build down the road. That flexibility is the headline feature, because it means the cam can grow with your project rather than locking you into one path.
The flip side is that this camshaft is really meant to be the centerpiece of a build, not a casual upgrade. Drop it into an otherwise stock truck and you will leave a lot of its potential unused while still living with a more aggressive idle and no MDS. To get your money’s worth you want supporting airflow, fuel system headroom, and a serious tune. For committed builders it is a smart, capable choice, but it is more cam than a lightly modified Hemi needs.
- Co-developed signature grind aimed at aggressive street and strip use
- Tuned lobe profiles for a broad, usable powerband
- Pairs well with forced induction or naturally aspirated builds
Pros: Multi-purpose across boosted and naturally aspirated setups; Lively, race-inspired idle and throttle feel; Backed by Texas Speed machining quality
Cons: Best gains require a more complete supporting build; Overkill for a mostly stock daily driver
5. Brian Tooley Racing BTR Stage 2 Hemi Camshaft: Best Drivability
Brian Tooley Racing built its reputation on cams that make real power while staying easy to live with, and the BTR Stage 2 carries that philosophy to the 5.7 Hemi. The wider 114 lobe separation angle is the key, because it tames the idle and keeps low-end torque healthy, which makes this an outstanding pick for a truck that still tows, commutes, and behaves itself in traffic. You get a genuine performance bump without the engine feeling cranky at every stoplight.
What you give up is drama. If you are chasing the loudest, lopiest idle on the block, this grind will feel reserved by comparison, and its top-end punch is more modest than the higher-duration cams above it. Some buyers also wish for a touch more lift. But for anyone who values a refined daily driver that still pulls strongly down low, the BTR Stage 2 is a very sensible camshafts you can choose for the platform.
- Wider 114 lobe separation for a smoother, more drivable idle
- Naturally aspirated truck profile focused on torque
- Engineered specifically for the third-gen Hemi
Pros: Smoother idle than most aggressive Hemi cams; Strong low and mid-range torque for towing and street use; Well-matched to mild bolt-on setups
Cons: Less dramatic idle sound for those wanting lope; Top-end gains trail the more aggressive grinds
6. Mopar Performance Hemi Performance Camshaft Kit: Best OEM Quality
For owners who want the assurance of factory engineering, a Mopar Performance camshaft kit is the conservative, trustworthy route. The grind is mild by aftermarket standards, prioritizing reliability, smooth fitment, and a driving experience that stays close to stock. Because it ships as a kit with supporting parts, it also reduces the guesswork of sourcing compatible components, which is reassuring for a first-time cam swap on a 5.7 Hemi.
The obvious limitation is performance. This cam will not produce the headline horsepower numbers or the aggressive idle that the dedicated aftermarket grinds deliver, so enthusiasts hunting for maximum gains will find it underwhelming. It is more about doing a clean, dependable upgrade than chasing peak output. If your priority is OEM added security and a subtle improvement rather than a transformation, this kit fits that brief well.
- Genuine Mopar engineering matched to the Hemi architecture
- Conservative grind focused on reliability and fitment
- Sold as part of a kit with supporting components
Pros: OEM-level quality control and fitment confidence; Mild profile keeps drivability close to stock; Good entry point for a first cam swap
Cons: Modest power gains versus aftermarket grinds; Less idle character than performance-focused cams
7. Crower Hemi Stage 1 Hydraulic Roller Camshaft: Best Value Pick
Crower is one of the oldest names in camshaft manufacturing, and this Stage 1 hydraulic roller is the most approachable grind on our list. With conservative .560 lift and a wide 114 lobe separation, it is engineered to improve torque and throttle response while keeping the engine docile enough to run with largely stock supporting hardware. For an owner who wants to dip a toe into cam upgrades without committing to a full build, it is a sensible and durable starting point.
The candid downside is that the gains are the mildest here. You will feel a difference, particularly in low-end torque and responsiveness, but this is not the cam that produces dramatic dyno numbers or a head-turning idle. Buyers expecting a transformation will be let down, and those wanting lope should skip it entirely. As a reliable, no-drama first step that respects a stock-ish setup, though, the Crower Stage 1 does its job honestly and well.
- Mild Stage 1 profile ideal as a first performance step
- Hydraulic roller construction for durability
- Designed to work with mostly stock supporting parts
Pros: Friendly grind that stays street-legal in feel; Solid torque improvement for daily and light-duty use; Trusted Crower manufacturing
Cons: Smallest gains of the group; Subtle idle will disappoint lope seekers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a tune after installing a camshaft on a 5.7 Hemi?
Yes, in almost every case a custom tune is essential. The factory computer is calibrated for the stock cam’s lift, duration, and timing, so installing a more aggressive grind without retuning leaves the engine running incorrectly, often with poor idle, fault codes, and lost power. A proper tune optimizes fuel and spark for the new cam and is required if you are deleting the Multi Displacement System. Budget for tuning as part of the project, not an afterthought, because it determines whether the cam runs safely and makes the power it should.
What is MDS and should I delete it with my new cam?
MDS stands for Multi Displacement System, the cylinder deactivation feature that shuts off four cylinders under light load to save fuel. Most aggressive aftermarket cams are MDS delete designs, meaning they do away with the deactivation hardware for simplicity and reliability under performance use. Some milder grinds, like NSR profiles, are built to retain MDS if you want to keep the fuel-saving function. Whether to delete it comes down to your goals: deleting simplifies the build and is common in performance circles, while retaining it preserves a bit of efficiency on the highway.
Do I need new valve springs when I install a Hemi camshaft?
Almost always, yes. Stock valve springs are designed for the factory cam’s lift, and a higher-lift performance grind can cause the springs to bind or float at higher RPM, which risks serious engine damage. Upgraded valve springs are the single most important supporting part for a cam swap, and many builders also install new retainers and locks while the heads are accessible. Skipping springs to save effort is among the most common and costly mistakes, so always confirm your chosen cam’s lift is within your spring package’s safe range.
How much power can a camshaft add to a 5.7 Hemi?
Gains vary widely depending on the grind and your supporting modifications, but a quality cam paired with proper springs, a tune, and decent airflow can deliver a meaningful improvement in both horsepower and torque across the band. Mild Stage 1 cams focus on low-end torque and throttle response with smaller peak numbers, while aggressive grinds with ported heads, headers, and a free-flowing intake produce much larger top-end gains. The cam alone is only part of the equation; the supporting parts and tune largely determine the final result, so set expectations based on your whole build rather than the cam in isolation.
Will an aftermarket camshaft hurt my fuel economy or reliability?
An aggressive cam can reduce fuel economy somewhat, especially lopey grinds that delete MDS and want higher RPM to make power, and very rough idles can feel less refined in traffic. That said, a well-chosen hydraulic roller cam from a reputable maker, installed correctly with the right springs and a proper tune, is generally reliable and long-lasting. The key is matching the cam to how you actually drive. A milder grind preserves more economy and smoothness, while a wild grind trades efficiency and idle quality for sound and peak power, so choose honestly based on your priorities.
Our Verdict
For most 5.7 Hemi owners, the Comp Cams NSR grind is our top pick because it strikes the best balance of real power, a livable idle, broad tuner support, and the option to retain MDS, making it the most well-rounded choice for a street-driven build. If your goal leans toward maximum top-end output and an aggressive personality, the Comp Cams HRT Stage 2 is our runner up and a fantastic centerpiece for a more serious performance project. Whichever you choose, remember that valve springs and a custom tune are not optional, and the cam you pick should match how you actually drive your Hemi.
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