The 5.7L HEMI in the Ram 1500 is a strong engine from the factory, but the stock cast manifolds are a known choke point. Swapping them for a proper set of headers opens up exhaust flow, frees up horsepower and torque across the band, and gives the truck a noticeably deeper, meaner tone. The hard part is choosing between a clean shorty bolt-on and a full long tube system that demands tuning and more wrench time.
We pulled together the seven best header options for the 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500, covering both shorties for the daily driver and long tubes for the build that wants every last pony. Each pick below is judged on real fitment, build quality, coating durability, gains you can actually feel, and how much of a headache the install really is.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
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JBA Performance Exhaust 1532S Cat4ward Shorty Headers Best Overall Shorty design, 409 stainless, 1-5/8 in primaries, 50-state emissions legal |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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BBK Performance 40110 Shorty Tuned-Length Headers Best Bolt-On Value Shorty tuned-length, CNC flanges, ceramic coated finish, smog legal |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Doug Thorley THY-228Y-C Tri-Y Long Tube Headers Best Torque Gains Tri-Y long tube design, ceramic coated, two-stage tube merging |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Hooker BlackHeart 70401308-RHKR Long Tube Headers Best for Big Builds Full long tube, 1-3/4 in primaries, 304 stainless, 3 in collectors |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Kooks Custom Headers 3510H410 Long Tube Headers Best Premium Build Quality Stepped long tube, 304 stainless, includes connection pipes |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
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American Racing Headers RM57 Long Tube System Best Maximum Horsepower Long tube, 1-7/8 in primaries, 304 stainless, full off-road connection kit |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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PaceSetter 70-2266 Armor Coat Shorty Headers Best Easy Install Shorty design, Armor Coat metallic ceramic finish, mild steel |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. JBA Performance Exhaust 1532S Cat4ward Shorty Headers: Best Overall
The JBA 1532S is the header we recommend to most 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500 owners, and it is not close. JBA’s Cat4ward shorties use a firing-order specific primary tube layout that scavenges exhaust gases cleanly, and the result on the dyno is a fat band of extra torque exactly where a truck lives, down low and through the middle. The 409 stainless construction is genuinely heavy gauge, the flanges are laser cut and stay flat, and because it carries a CARB exemption number it bolts right up to your stock catalytic converters and exhaust with no tune and no emissions worries.
The honest tradeoff is the one every shorty buyer makes. A shorty header simply cannot match a long tube for peak horsepower at the top of the rev range, so if your only goal is a maximum dyno number, this is not it. The 409 stainless also has a plain industrial look rather than a show-car ceramic shine. But for a clean install you can do in a driveway, real gains, and zero headaches with emissions or your ECU, the JBA earns the top spot.
- Patented firing-order primary tube design for smoother flow and torque
- Heavy 409 stainless steel construction with a CARB exemption number
- Bolts to factory exhaust with no aftermarket tune required
Pros: True bolt-on fit with no check engine light or tune needed; Strong mid-range torque gains that you feel towing and merging; Emissions legal in all 50 states, including California
Cons: Shorty design leaves some peak top-end power on the table versus long tubes; Stainless finish is more utilitarian than a polished ceramic look
2. BBK Performance 40110 Shorty Tuned-Length Headers: Best Bolt-On Value
BBK has built shorty headers for pushrod and HEMI trucks for decades, and the 40110 set shows that experience. The tuned-length primaries and CNC-machined flanges give the 5.7 HEMI a sharper throttle response and a meatier low-end that makes the truck feel quicker around town even before you look at a dyno sheet. The silver ceramic coating is the standout feature at this level, knocking down under-hood temperatures and giving you a finish that looks good and shrugs off rust far better than bare steel.
Where it shows its price point is durability of that coating under sustained heat. Owners commonly report the ceramic taking on a brownish tint near the collector flanges after a season of hard driving, which is cosmetic but worth knowing. And like every shorty here, it trades ultimate peak horsepower for easy fitment. For the buyer who wants a no-drama bolt-on with great manners and a clean look, the BBK is hard to beat.
- Full-length tuned primary tubes for broad torque and throttle response
- Thick CNC-machined flanges resist warping and seal reliably
- Silver ceramic coating cuts under-hood heat and resists rust
Pros: Excellent throttle response and seat-of-the-pants pickup; Ceramic coating both protects the steel and looks clean; Direct bolt-on with stock connection points and no tune
Cons: Ceramic coating can discolor near the collectors over time; Peak power gains are modest compared to a long tube swap
3. Doug Thorley THY-228Y-C Tri-Y Long Tube Headers: Best Torque Gains
Doug Thorley’s Tri-Y approach is the secret weapon here. Instead of merging all four primaries into one collector at once, a Tri-Y pairs tubes in two stages, and on a heavy 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500 that translates into a remarkably broad torque curve. You get the off-idle grunt that makes towing and hauling easy, but unlike many long tubes you do not sacrifice the top end to get it. The ceramic coating applied inside and out helps the system survive years of heat cycling and road salt.
This is still a long tube, so be realistic about the install. Expect to be under the truck for a while, possibly working around the steering shaft, and plan on a tune to clear codes and fully cash in the gains. That extra effort and the supporting tune are the real cost of admission. If broad, usable torque is your priority over a single big dyno number, the Doug Thorley Tri-Y is the smartest long tube on this list.
- Tri-Y staged tube design builds torque without losing top-end
- Ceramic thermal barrier coating inside and out
- Engineered specifically to broaden the HEMI powerband
Pros: Outstanding low and mid-range torque, ideal for a work truck; Tri-Y design keeps gains broad rather than peaky; Inside-and-out ceramic coating for heat and corrosion control
Cons: Long tube install is involved and usually needs a tune; May require steering shaft or component clearance work on some trucks
4. Hooker BlackHeart 70401308-RHKR Long Tube Headers: Best for Big Builds
If your 5.7 HEMI is on its way to becoming something much bigger, the Hooker BlackHeart long tubes are built for that journey. The 1-3/4 inch mandrel-bent 304 stainless primaries flow enough to support a cammed, stroked, or boosted combination, and the 3 inch collectors hand off to a proper performance exhaust without strangling anything. The 304 stainless is a step above the 409 used elsewhere and shrugs off corrosion without needing a coating to survive.
The flip side is that this header is genuinely too much for a bone-stock truck. Those big primaries can actually soften low-end response on an otherwise untouched HEMI, and you absolutely need a tune plus a compatible exhaust to make them work. There can be fabrication or fitment adjustments depending on your setup. For a daily-driven stock 1500 this is the wrong tool, but for a build chasing real numbers, the BlackHeart is the foundation you want.
- Mandrel-bent 304 stainless primaries for maximum flow
- Large 1-3/4 in tubes feed a built or boosted HEMI
- Includes gaskets and hardware for a complete swap
Pros: Serious top-end horsepower potential on a modified engine; Premium 304 stainless that resists rust without coating; Sized correctly for cammed, stroked, or forced-induction builds
Cons: Overkill for a stock HEMI and needs a tune to shine; Requires a matching exhaust connection and fabrication on some setups
5. Kooks Custom Headers 3510H410 Long Tube Headers: Best Premium Build Quality
Kooks has a reputation in the HEMI world for building headers like fine machinery, and the 3510H410 set lives up to it. The stepped primary tubes are sized to grow as exhaust velocity builds, which on the 5.7 HEMI pulls strong, linear power high in the rev range. Every weld is clean TIG work in genuine 304 stainless, the flanges are thick and dead flat, and the fitment is the most precise of anything we handled. This is the header you buy once and never think about again.
That craftsmanship comes with the most serious commitment to install. It is a full long tube job with stepped tubes routing through a tight engine bay, it ships with connection pipes you need to integrate into your exhaust, and a tune is mandatory. None of that is a flaw so much as the reality of a top-tier system. If you want the highest build quality available for a 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500 and you are willing to do the work, Kooks sets the standard.
- Stepped primary tubes engineered to maximize HEMI flow
- Aerospace-grade 304 stainless TIG welds throughout
- Comes with off-road or catted connection pipe options
Pros: Best-in-class welds and fitment precision on this list; Stepped primaries deliver strong, clean top-end power; Bombproof 304 stainless that will outlast the truck
Cons: Among the most demanding installs and requires a tune; Connection pipes and exhaust matching add to the project scope
6. American Racing Headers RM57 Long Tube System: Best Maximum Horsepower
When the goal is the biggest number the 5.7 HEMI can make, American Racing Headers builds the RM57 for exactly that. The 1-7/8 inch primaries are the largest in this roundup and they flow accordingly, feeding a built HEMI all the exhaust capacity it can use up top. It arrives as a complete 304 stainless system with collectors and off-road connection pipes, so you are not piecing together fittings, and the made-in-USA construction is genuinely stout.
That race-bred sizing is also its limitation as a street part. On a stock or lightly modified truck, primaries this large bleed away exhaust velocity at low rpm, which softens the throttle response you use every day. A tune is non-negotiable and these headers only make sense alongside other supporting modifications. For a dedicated performance build chasing maximum power, the RM57 delivers, but it is the wrong choice for a mostly-stock daily driver.
- Large 1-7/8 in primaries built for serious airflow
- Complete 304 stainless system with collectors and pipes
- Designed and built in the USA for the HEMI platform
Pros: Top peak horsepower potential of any pick here; Comprehensive system including connection pipes; Heavy-duty 304 stainless construction throughout
Cons: Demands a tune and supporting mods to be worth it; Large primaries hurt low-end drivability on a stock engine
7. PaceSetter 70-2266 Armor Coat Shorty Headers: Best Easy Install
The PaceSetter 70-2266 is the pick for the owner who wants better flow and a deeper note without turning the project into a weekend ordeal. The compact shorty design bolts up about as easily as a header can on a 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500, the flanges line up to the factory connection points, and no tune is required to run them. The Armor Coat metallic ceramic finish is the highlight, doing a solid job of managing under-hood heat and fending off rust on the daily commute.
The compromise sits in the base material. PaceSetter uses mild steel under that coating rather than stainless, so long-term durability in harsh climates is not on the level of the 304 stainless sets above. The gains are also the most modest here, a real but gentle bump rather than a transformation. For a budget-conscious owner who values a painless install and a nicer tone over chasing peak numbers, the PaceSetter is an easy, sensible choice.
- Armor Coat metallic ceramic finish for heat and rust protection
- Compact shorty layout for the simplest possible install
- Direct fit to factory exhaust connection points
Pros: One of the easiest header installs for the HEMI Ram; Armor Coat finish handles heat and resists corrosion well; Modest, usable gains with no tune required
Cons: Mild steel base is less durable long term than stainless; Gains are the smallest of the group, fine for a daily driver
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a tune after installing headers on my 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500?
It depends entirely on the type of header. True 50-state-legal shorty headers like the JBA Cat4ward bolt to your factory catalytic converters and exhaust, so they generally run clean with no tune and no check engine light. Long tube headers are a different story. Because they relocate or eliminate the factory oxygen sensor positions and catalysts, they almost always trigger codes and require a custom tune to clear those codes and unlock the full power the headers can make. If you want a no-tune bolt-on, stick with an emissions-legal shorty.
Are shorty or long tube headers better for the HEMI Ram 1500?
Shorty headers win on convenience and street manners. They install quickly, usually need no tune, can stay emissions legal, and add strong low-end and mid-range torque, which is exactly what a truck uses for towing and daily driving. Long tube headers make more peak horsepower at the top of the rev range and are the right call for a cammed, stroked, or boosted build, but they demand a tune, a longer install, and often new exhaust connections. For most stock or mildly modified Ram 1500 owners, a quality shorty is the smarter buy. For a dedicated performance build, go long tube.
How much horsepower will headers add to a 5.7 HEMI?
On an otherwise stock 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500, a good set of shorty headers typically frees up a modest but real gain at the wheels, and just as importantly broadens the torque curve so the truck feels stronger everywhere. Long tube headers paired with a supporting tune and a free-flowing exhaust can stack up noticeably larger peak gains on a modified engine. The biggest numbers always come when headers are part of a package with intake, exhaust, and tuning rather than installed alone, so set expectations based on your full setup.
Will aftermarket headers make my Ram 1500 louder?
Yes, and that is among the most popular reasons owners install them. Headers open up exhaust flow and change how the 5.7 HEMI breathes, which deepens and amplifies that signature HEMI growl, especially under throttle. Long tube headers, particularly with off-road connection pipes, make the most dramatic difference in volume and tone. Shorty headers add a richer, deeper note without becoming obnoxious on the highway. If you want sound plus performance, pairing headers with a quality cat-back exhaust gives you the most satisfying result.
What material should I look for in HEMI Ram 1500 headers?
Stainless steel is the gold standard, and you will see two common grades. The 409 stainless used in many shorty headers resists rust well and holds up nicely for a street truck. The 304 stainless found in premium long tubes from brands like Kooks and Hooker BlackHeart is even more corrosion resistant and is what serious builds use. Ceramic-coated mild steel, like PaceSetter’s Armor Coat finish, manages heat and looks great but does not match stainless for long-term durability in salty or wet climates. Match the material to your climate and how long you plan to keep the truck.
Our Verdict
For the vast majority of 5.7 HEMI Ram 1500 owners, the JBA Performance Exhaust 1532S Cat4ward is our top pick. It bolts on without a tune, stays emissions legal in all 50 states, and delivers the kind of broad torque gain a truck actually uses, all with proven build quality and no headaches. If you want the same easy bolt-on character with a clean ceramic finish and excellent throttle response, the BBK Performance 40110 is our runner up and a superb value. Buyers chasing maximum power should step up to a long tube like the Doug Thorley Tri-Y for torque or the Kooks set for ultimate build quality, but be ready for the tune and the wrench time that come with them.
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