Easy Hemi Horsepower Upgrades - 2008 Dodge Ram Quad Cab

Adding horsepower to nearly any computer-controlled EFI vehicle nowadays still follows the original plan for more power set forth since hot rodding was in its infancy. The old adage still rings true with more air in and more air out being the basics of the equation. Proper fuel and timing are a serious part of the equation too, but that's the beauty of EFI. Allowing the engine to get more air in the cylinders and out through the exhaust is our part, while we leave it up to the computer to read the amount of air traveling in, compressing, firing, and exhaling.

2008 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Bbk Cold Air Intake

1. Designed as a direct replacement, BBK’s latest cold air induction system (pn. 1733 $279.99) is a simple bolt on. As with all BBK cold air intake systems, the high flow cotton element filter is a washable unit that will last the life of your vehicle. This system features a chrome-plated inlet elbow with a black powder coated shroud for excellent looks.

1. Designed as a direct replacement, BBK’s latest cold air induction system (pn. 1733 $279

One of the most well-known companies to bring horsepower to the masses is BBK Performance. Situated in picturesque Temecula, California, BBK produces a myriad of go-fast parts that are made in-house for most any EFI performance, offering from Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, and Ford. We really like our '09 Dodge Ram and its Hemi power, so we took a look into what parts BBK offers for the full line of Hemi trucks. With an '08 Quad Cab Ram at the ready, BBK pulled its bolt-on parts in the form of an 85mm electronic throttle body, cold-air intake system, and direct-fit, shorty headers. The installation of all the items was a breeze, with the headers taking the most time of the three. At home with a decent set of tools, expect to put in a little more time than we did with the luxury of a full shop and hydraulic vehicle lift.

2. BBK's 85mm throttle body (pn. 1780 $439.99) comes completely assembled and ready to install. The Power Plus Series Hemi throttle body is manufactured from a brand-new CNC-machined aluminum housing that is fit with new OEM electronic throttle controls.
2. BBK's 85mm throttle body (pn. 1780 $439.99) comes completely assembled and ready to ins
3. Installing the new air intake requires reusing the factory inlet air temperature (IAT) sensor. After disconnecting the electrical plug, we gave the sensor a twist and pulled it free from the stock resonator box.
3. Installing the new air intake requires reusing the factory inlet air temperature (IAT)
4. Four bolts held the resonator plenum to the intake manifold. Once removed the stock resonator, inlet tube, and filter box were simply removed. Four more bolts held the throttle body on. With the bolts removed and the electrical connector unplugged, the OE throttle body was also taken off and used as a paperweight.
4. Four bolts held the resonator plenum to the intake manifold. Once removed the stock res

5. The original rubber gasket was reused. To ensure it would seal properly, we gave it a good wipe to remove any possible foreign materials.
5. The original rubber gasket was reused. To ensure it would seal properly, we gave it a g
6. According to the instructions included, we were supposed to reuse the original hardware for the throttle body. New Allen head bolts were included in the kit so we used those to mount the new, larger 85mm throttle body before plugging in the stock electrical harness.
6. According to the instructions included, we were supposed to reuse the original hardware
7. To make room for the BBK heat shield, this plastic mount for the Dodge air box must be removed. Two of the bolts are under the fenderwell liner, while the other two are easily removed right from the engine compartment.
7. To make room for the BBK heat shield, this plastic mount for the Dodge air box must be

8. Removing the plastic form uncovers two holes in the sheetmetal inner fender. To accommodate the locating pins for the BBK heat shield, the holes were required to be opened up with a 9/16-inch drill bit.
8. Removing the plastic form uncovers two holes in the sheetmetal inner fender. To accommo
9. The aluminum locating pins were installed with the supplied hardware from the kit.
10. BBK’s heat shield pins set into the newly drilled holes. Tabs aligned with the threaded inserts in the fender from the plastic bracket we removed earlier. The two original bolts were used to mount the part to the Dodge’s fender support.
10. BBK’s heat shield pins set into the newly drilled holes. Tabs aligned with the threade

11. Mounting the IAT sensor in the chrome air inlet tube required a new grommet that BBK supplied in the kit. A small amount of lubrication definitely helped here. We were sure to prevent any oils from fouling the sensor when installing the delicate sensor through he grommet.
11. Mounting the IAT sensor in the chrome air inlet tube required a new grommet that BBK s
12. Attaching the inlet tube to the new throttle body was a cinch using the new silicone coupler and stainless hose clamps. Some alignment will still be necessary, so we did not tighten anything at his point.
12. Attaching the inlet tube to the new throttle body was a cinch using the new silicone c
13. We did plug in the IAT to the Ram’s harness before we forgot.

14. After dropping the oversized air filter into the box, the open end was slipped onto the inlet tube. The coupler slips all the way through the heat shield and mounts with a hose clamp from the outside of the box. It’s a simple design that holds both the tube and filter in position without the need for an adapter and additional silicone couplers. A hole was preset in the heat shield to accept the breather tube. Using the nipple from the kit, we mounted the tube into place.
14. After dropping the oversized air filter into the box, the open end was slipped onto th
15. Standing back and checking everything out under the hood, the Hemi appeared a little more performance oriented compared to the original view. In addition, BBK’s parts will allow plenty of air to be inhaled by the 5.7L Hemi with much less restriction.
15. Standing back and checking everything out under the hood, the Hemi appeared a little m
16. These BBK Dodge Ram headers (pn. 40090 $409.99) are available in chrome or silver ceramic. The exhaust headers feature 3/8-inch laser cut flanges to prevent heat distortion and 1 3/4-inch heavy gauge CNC mandrel-bent tubing for improved horsepower and torque.
16. These BBK Dodge Ram headers (pn. 40090 $409.99) are available in chrome or silver cera

17. Installing the headers was done from under the truck, so we used a hydraulic lift to support the Quad Cab. It takes a little extra room to maneuver the parts in and out, and we sprayed some lubrication on the hangers before popping them off.
17. Installing the headers was done from under the truck, so we used a hydraulic lift to s
18. Getting the exhaust manifolds out required removing the hardware from the downpipes first and pulling the rest of the exhaust towards the rear of the truck to allow some room to work. A heat shield resided on each manifold and had to be pulled off to access the bolts attaching the manifolds to the engine.
18. Getting the exhaust manifolds out required removing the hardware from the downpipes fi
19. Shorty headers have a nasty habit of having tight tubes that block easy access to install some of the flange bolts. These were no different in that aspect, but provisions were made to accommodate a solution. Cutting a notch in the new gasket to match the notch in the header was the only modification necessary.
19. Shorty headers have a nasty habit of having tight tubes that block easy access to inst

20. Being cautious of future leaks, we applied a skim coat of high-temperature sealer around the BBK headers’ ports. Look closely and you can see where the header flange has notches for the hardware instead of holes, and the cuts in the gasket to match them.
20. Being cautious of future leaks, we applied a skim coat of high-temperature sealer arou
21. On both headers, the two rearmost bolts had to be loosely installed before the header was placed into position. The headers’ flange notches were easily set over the bolts and were a big help in holding the parts while we started the rest of the attaching hardware after applying antiseize to the threads.
21. On both headers, the two rearmost bolts had to be loosely installed before the header
22. A set of screw-in studs was the last of the items to be installed on the headers. Using a little antiseize, we cinched the downpipes tight and rehung the exhaust on the rubber hangers.
22. A set of screw-in studs was the last of the items to be installed on the headers. Usin

Test driving the truck confirmed there was no leaks and, most importantly, no dreaded Check Engine light. The Ram was strapped to the dyno for post-install numbers and laid down 260.17 hp and 266.91 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers represent a change of 7.62 hp and 2.8 lb-ft of torque at the peak. The biggest gains came much farther down in the proper driving area where a larger majority of the thrust control comes from. The dyno showed maximum gains of 10.48 hp and 16.48 lb-ft of torque down in the 3,000 through 4,000-rpm range, which is perfect for those pesky freeway on-ramps.

Our Honest Opinion
Too many people focus strictly on the peak numbers. Peak numbers are where you find your bragging numbers, but the real world wants big numbers where the majority of the driving is accomplished. With that being said, this Dodge Ram's Hemi now has a nice rumble to it thanks to the headers, and the rushing air into the engine sounds fantastic. With more than 10 extra ponies galloping with nearly 17 additional lb-ft of torque, this Ram is much more entertaining to drive now. The sound is right, the added horsepower is right, and we brought the truck just that much closer to the 345 hp that Dodge rates its 5.7L Hemi.