After a one-year absence, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is back in the full-size 1500 for 2026, now offered alongside the Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that briefly replaced it.
We have covered the best Ram 1500 accessories and best Ram 1500 upgrades in general. This time, we are focusing on 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI mods and upgrades that improve performance.
A Whipple blower that is already putting 650 horsepower to the ground in Ram's own DC650 build will provide a significant bump in power. There are bolt-on 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI upgrades available from Mopar itself. And our FN Tuned throttle response controller is ready to rock, as well.
Cold Air Intake: Feed the HEMI What It Craves
The best first upgrade for the HEMI is a cold air intake. The factory intake system on the Ram 1500 is designed around noise regulations and packaging constraints, so swapping it out for a proper cold air intake is a good start.
The Mopar Performance Cold Air Intake is the bolt-on choice that is also factory-backed. It is engineered specifically for the 5.7L platform, and it installs using the factory mounting points with no cutting, no fabrication, and no special tools. It draws cooler, denser air through a directional cone filter, channeling it more efficiently into the intake manifold than the stock setup.
The result is a slight horsepower bump, improved throttle feel, and an intake note that lets you know the HEMI is working hard every time you get into it.
Cat-Back Exhaust: Let the V8 Speak
A cat-back exhaust system reduces backpressure, improves exhaust flow, and gives the 5.7L the room it needs to breathe out as effectively as it breathes in. Paired with the cold air intake above, the difference in your driving excitement will be significant.
The Mopar Cat-Back Exhaust System is built specifically for 5.7L Ram 1500 models and installs directly onto the factory OEM mounting locations without a single modification. It is a stainless steel system that meets all corrosion resistance standards, compatible with both the factory exhaust tips and the optional Mopar 5-inch tips if you want an even more aggressive look at the tailgate.
The tone it produces is a deep, authoritative rumble that suits the personality of the HEMI perfectly without crossing into drone territory on the highway. Plus, just like the intake, it comes with the peace of mind of being Mopar-backed.
Whipple Supercharger: The Big Play, Coming Soon
If you want horsepower numbers that make other trucks uncomfortable at a stoplight, Whipple Superchargers is engineering a Gen 6 3.0-liter supercharger kit specifically for the 2026 Ram 1500 5.7L E-Torque. The kit is not yet available for standalone purchase, but the proof-of-concept is already on the road.
The Ram 1500 DC650, a collaboration between Direct Connection and Fox Factory Vehicles built on the 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn Night Edition platform, uses a 3.0L Whipple unit and is rated at 650 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. That is a jump of 255 horsepower over the stock 5.7L, delivered through the same block, the same eTorque mild-hybrid system, and a massive air-to-water intercooler that keeps intake temperatures in check.
The Whipple kit, when it arrives for individual purchase, will give 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI owners a path to the same power level on their own terms. Keep an eye on Whipple for the kit and be ready when pre-orders open.
FN Tuned Throttle Response Controller: The Plug-and-Play HEMI Upgrade
The way an engine feels under your right foot is not determined by horsepower alone. The factory electronic throttle system on the Ram 1500 introduces a programmed delay between the moment you press the gas pedal and the moment the engine actually responds. That's throttle lag, and it's intentionally built into the system for emissions regulations and to make the truck appeal to a wide range of drivers.
We have the ultimate fix. The FN Tuned throttle response controller plugs directly into the accelerator pedal position sensor on your Ram 1500 in under 15 minutes, with no permanent changes. What it does is eliminate the throttle lag by processing the factory signal and sending it to the ECU without the factory restrictions.
It comes with four fully customizable driving modes: Slow for fuel efficiency and tricky terrain, Cruise for a linear, old-school cable feel, Fast for spirited everyday driving, and Send It for when you want the HEMI to respond as aggressively as it can get. Each mode offers 9 sensitivity levels, giving you 36 throttle settings to dial in exactly the feel you want in any situation.
Compatible With Almost Any Other Mod
Already running the Mopar intake and exhaust? The FN Tuned throttle response controller layers on top of those upgrades and sharpens the delivery of whatever performance gains they have already unlocked. Running an aftermarket tune as well? Same story.
The FN Tuned throttle response controller only modifies the gas pedal signal, and it is completely untraceable by the dealer. It leaves no flags on the ECU and does not interfere with your factory warranty in any way.
On top of performance, the FN Tuned throttle response controller also allows you to disable the gas pedal with its built-in Anti-Theft feature. You can subscribe to the service and make your Ram 1500 undriveable, even if someone breaks in and starts the engine.