I have a '06 R/T that I am wanting to start modifying for performance. So far, I have removed the suitcase muffler, swapped the resonators for Jegs hi-flow, and have added a K&N drop-in filter to the stock intake box. I have purchased a Jett 180 T-stat but have not installed it yet. I have plans to purchase a Frankentake IV cai, Diablo tuner, and Mopar tcm. But what else is there that should be swapped out/upgraded? Where should I go from here? The car does have 170k miles, but has been well taken care of.
Thank you very much.
That's such an open-ended question. There's a ton more that could still be done. Headers, hi flow or catless mids, cam, underdrive pulley, nitrous, supercharger, turbo, etc. What it really comes down to how much money and time do you want to invest in a car with 170k miles on it?
Heads right now. You have a ton of miles. One problem the hemi engine has had with members here and on challenger talk is going up like a bomb when the thing decides to throw a valve. Go heads and cam with beefier valves & springs. It is usually an SRT problem but more than a few 5.7 engines have gone down too.
Good point: With the tuner and TCM, will I need different valve springs or such. Will the fans need to be altered with the Tuner to go with the lower t-stat, What difference does the underdrive pulley actually make? The main question was with the mods that I have planned, will I need to do anything to the stock motor to prep it for them? Also noticed you are located in Nashville, as am I lol
Oh cool you're in Nashville too huh? I'm part of a club called Mopar Strong (on Facebook) and we have get togethers either at local car shows or at the track. You should look into it.
You will need to alter the fan speeds with your tuner when you put the T-Stat in. There's quite a few write ups out there on what to set them at. I can't remember off hand what I set mine at so I don't want to give you the wrong info.
The underdrive pulley is one of that mods that a lot say isn't worth the time and effort. It's probably a 5hp mod. I've put them on past cars but they were higher revving 4 or 6 bangers, so the effect on a lower revving V8 probably isn't as drastic.
There's nothing you need to do to your engine with the mods you have planned. They're all bolt on or plug in and don't affect the internals.
Check out our vendor section for reputable guys that can help you out whichever way you decide to go. Talking to them will also provide you a better education than most of us could provide you.