When your Dodge Ram HEMI rolled off of the assembly line in Warren, Michigan or Saltillo, Mexico, it was already a powerful truck. But just like many other stock high-performance vehicles, there is always room for improvement. One of the best ways to improve the performance of the Ram HEMI is to replace the factory-installed stock exhaust system with a better performing aftermarket system. This review will look at six of the best exhaust system upgrades for the Dodge 1500 HEMI.
Best Exhaust System for Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI – Top Picks:
- Borla 140307
- Borla 140752BC S-Type Cat Back
- Flowmaster 817690
- Flowmaster 17429
- Flowmaster 817633
- MagnaFlow D-Fit Muffler
| Borla 140307 | Borla 140752BC S-Type Cat Back | Flowmaster 817690 | Flowmaster 17429 | Flowmaster 817633 | MagnaFlow D-Fit Muffler | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |
|
| OEM Part Number | 140307 | 140752BC | 817690 | 17429 | 817633 | 19439 |
| Model Years | 2009-2019 | 2019-2022 | 2009-2020 | 1994-2001 | 2009-2019 | 2009-2021 |
| Engine Type | V6(3.6L) / V6(3.7L) V6(3L) / V8(4.7L) V8(5.7L) | V6(3.6L) V8(5.7L) | V8(4.7L) / V8(5.7L) | V8(5.2L) / V8(5.9L) | V8(5.7L) | V8(5.7L) |
| Item Weight (lbs) | 53 | 55 | 70 | 65 | 24 | 20 |
| Latest Price | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon |
Important Exhaust System Features
There are a lot of excellent exhaust systems on the market that can replace the factory one. In an effort to determine your choice of which exhaust system you should invest in for your Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI, take into account the following important exhaust system features.
Quality Construction – the typical aftermarket exhaust system is constructed of stainless steel with four basic finishes:
• Nickel Chrome – has nice shiny surfaces, with better anti-corrosion resistance, but known to discolor easily
• Silver Ceramic – corrosion and heat resistant
• Titanium Ceramic Coated – good heat and corrosion resistance and helps reduce heat buildup under the hood
• 409 Stainless Steel – the most durable type but also know to discolor easily
Best Exhaust System for Quality Construction: Borla 140307 or Borla 140752BC S-Type Cat Back
The Borla S-type exhaust takes advantage of the optimal properties of 300-series stainless steel, considered to be the best material for exhaust systems. It doesn’t rust easily, doesn’t discolor horribly, and will probably outlast your truck.
Pipe and Tip Diameters – larger diameter pipes allow exhaust gasses to flow with less restriction, which in turn makes it easier for your HEMI to “breathe”. This will equate to improved engine performance and better fuel mileage. The pipes should have a minimum diameter of 2.5-inches, but 3-inch pipes would be even better. The size of the tip diameter has a profound effect on the sound of the exhaust. The wider the tip, the better the sound. You should settle for nothing less than a 4-5 inch tip diameter.
Best Exhaust System for Pipe and Tip Diameter: Borla 140307
The Borla 14-307 has a single, 3-inch inlet and dual 2.5-inch tail pipes along with dual slant-cut 5-inch chrome tips. It offers the ideal combination of looks and fitment.
Sound – let’s face it, the sound the exhaust system produces is important to your pride of ownership and a more satisfying driving experience. Are you searching for a low rumble like rolling thunder or an aggressive roaring growl?
Best Exhaust System for Rolling Thunder Sound: Flowmaster 17429
The Flowmaster American Thunder kit is all about creating that low, menacing rumble that gives your Hemi-powered Ram the sound of a powerful muscle truck.
Best Exhaust System for Loud aggressive Sound: Flowmaster 817690 Outlaw
With a sound more like that of a race car on a track, the Outlaw-series from Flowmaster is intended to produce a roaring and aggressive sound, particularly at wide open throttle.
Borla 140307
The Borla 140307 system will increase your truck’s horsepower and torque. It will enable the engine to be more fuel-efficient and help extend the life of the engine. This Borla system uses 3-inch, steel pipes with a stainless coating. There are dual 2.5-inch split tailpipes and it fits easily under the truck, making installation relatively easy. The tips are angle cut and 5-inches in size.
The Borla sound is smooth and mellow. Once you hear a Borla system you will easily be able to indentify one the next time you hear it go by. The sound is not overly loud and if that is what you want to achieve with your performance exhaust system, loud and overly aggressive, you may want to stay away from a Borla system.
Pros
- Distinct Borla sound
- Perfect fit and easy to install
- Resists corrosion
- Excellent exhaust release velocity
- Million mile warranty
Cons
- Not as loud as may be hoped for
- Pricey
Borla 140752BC S-Type Cat Back
Borla brings you this cat-back system that adds massive five-inch blacked out muffler tips and the proven s-type muffler design that produces low back pressure and enhances the powerful sound of the truck. The entire system features 304 stainless steel construction and replaces the factory muffler using the stock mounting locations.
The sound of the 140752BC is described as muscular and louder than stock, but not as aggressive as the ATAK system. It produces a slight amount of drone at cruising speeds and enhances the sound of the Hemi engine when accelerating hard.
Pros
- Slick black chrome tips look excellent no matter what color the truck is
- Improves the sound and performance of the truck
Cons
- Won’t fit all models of the Ram 1500 Hemi, check the application before ordering
Flowmaster 817690
This is a durable and long-lasting system that delivers a super aggressive sound, however when just cruising down the street you won’t wake up the entire neighborhood. The Outlaw Cat-Back system has stainless steel construction and requires no modification to be installed, and the installation can be accomplished in 2 hours or less.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime Limited Warranty
- Ease of installation
Cons
- Tends to drone at highway speeds
Flowmaster 17429
The Flowmaster American Thunder system is constructed of 2.5-inch aluminized steel pipes with 304 stainless steel 3-inch tips. There is no welding required to install this system, but for a really secure fit you can weld the slip-fit connections if you so choose. Installation time is around 2 hours; depending on how much trouble you have removing the old system.
This system gives you the option of having the exhaust come out the side, just behind the wheels, or rear of your Ram HEMI.
Pros
- Increases performance
- Ease of installation
- Moderate sound but not annoyingly loud on acceleration
Cons
- 2.5-inch pipes
- Only 3-inch diameter tips
- Extra parts to cover different models requires careful sorting
- Clamp threading may strip before reaching recommend torque value
Flowmaster 817633
The Flowmaster Outlaw system has a black ceramic finish that really adds to its durability. It is constructed of 409 stainless steel, which is long lasting, and because of the ceramic finish, it is heat resistant and it won’t discolor over time.
If you are looking for an aggressive roar, you won’t be disappointed with your purchase of the Outlaw muffler. It is designed using racing technology so you will hear a deep, smooth satisfying roar. Being dyno-tuned, it will deliver better engine performance.
Pros
- Corrosion and heat resistant
- Pleasing throaty roar
- Black ceramic finish adds durability
- Dyno-tuned to enhance engine performance
Cons
- Sound leaks at the brace point
- Tends to drone in 4 cylinder mode
- Provided clamps (especially the front one) are low quality
MagnaFlow D-Fit Muffler
The D-Fit is a satin-finish 409 stainless steel muffler system that quickly and easily replaces the factory muffler to unlock added power, torque, and a deep, throaty growl. One of the best things is that this system is simple to install. Just remove the factory clamps, slide the factory muffler out of the way, and install the D-Fit.
The sound is mildly aggressive with little cabin drone at cruising speeds. It has a powerful tone that improves once the truck has been driven for a while. The muffler uses the stock tailpipe, which just clips in place.
Pros
- Easy to install using basic tools without modification to the factory exhaust
- Excellent tone and sound at cruising speeds
Cons
- Doesn’t extend to the tailpipe
Conclusions
Today, there are many different aftermarket exhaust systems that will improve the performance of your Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI. You always need to choose a system of higher quality that will provide not only durability but also enhanced performance in fuel economy and horsepower. In our opinion, these are 6 of the best systems available. Hopefully, this review will give you a good starting point in your search for the best aftermarket exhaust system for your Dodge Ram HEMI.