2005 Dodge 5.7L Hemi Magnum Bolt-Ons- Hot Rod Magazine

Back in the Sept. '07 issue, we tested some factory-based bolt-on parts for the new Mustang, the GTO, and the new Charger (cover theme: "Power Parts"). At the time, Mopar Performance was in development of a 5.7L kit, but deadlines being deadlines, we had to opt for an aftermarket story ("The State of the Hemi").

However, even in that story the Hemi computer was a limiting factor. Since then, our pal Jon Clark at Mopar Performance has made us aware of new performance parts for the Hemicars, including significant computer upgrades, and he urged us to try them out. So we found an '05 5.7L Magnum and took him up on it.

The Mopar Performance Parts Stage 1 kit includes the typical upgrades: a cold-air intake and after-cat exhaust. However, it also includes midlength headers and new catalytic converters, a camshaft, a reprogrammed engine-control computer, a torque converter, and a new transmission controller. We decided to install the parts in two stages-first would be the easy bolt-ons, the cold air kit, and the headers and exhaust. Once that combination was run on the dyno, we'd break the seal on the motor and install the cam, converter, and both computers.

Luckily, we found DC Performance just a few miles from our Los Angeles office. DC is known for building some serious Vipers and other late-model Chrysler vehicles, both in street and full race trim, and DC's Lyle Larson was a Pro Stock and Alcohol/Fuel driver in the early '70s and '80s. We knew we were in good hands.