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 140308 | Flowmaster 817690 | Flowmaster 17429 | Flowmaster 817633 | MBRP S5146BLK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |
|
| OEM Part Number | 140307 | 140308 | 817690 | 17429 | 817633 | S5146BLK |
| Model Years | 2009-2019 | 2009-2019 | 2009-2020 | 1994-2001 | 2009-2019 | 2009-2019 |
| Engine Type | V6(3.6L) / V6(3.7L) V6(3L) / V8(4.7L) V8(5.7L) | V6(3.6L) / V6(3.7L) V6(3L) / V8(4.7L) 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 | 62 | 70 | 65 | 24 | 61 |
| 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 140308
Pipe and Tip Diameters – larger diameter pipes allow exhaust gases 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 affect on 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
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: Borla 140308
Best Exhaust System for Loud aggressive Sound: Flowmaster 817690 Outlaw
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 140308 Cat-Back
The Borla 140308 system uses 3 and 2.5-inch pipes made of aircraft-quality T-304 stainless steel with 4-inch round tips. It is a split rear under the bumper exhaust system.
It delivers that distinctive Borla-only sound that is not too loud but has a great tone. By switching from the single factory exhaust to this Borla, you will notice the expected performance gains and a slight improvement in fuel mileage.
Pros
- Distinct Borla sound
- Million mile warranty
- Made of T-304 Stainless steel
Cons
- Expensive higher-priced option
- Only moderately loud
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
MBRP S5146BLK
This MBRP exhaust system is a 2.5-inch dual split Cat-Back system that will generate a deep throaty growl. It is designed to improve exhaust flow, operating temperatures, and relieve backpressure. It will boost horsepower and torque while increasing fuel mileage.
The S5146BLK is made of heavy-duty, 16-gauge aluminized steel with a heat resistant ceramic black coating. Although not as strong as stainless steel, aluminized steel provides better heat resistance and also does a good job of resisting corrosion.
The MBRP system delivers a rich, mellow exhaust tone and includes black-coated tips with the MBRP logo on them.
Pros
- Boosts horsepower and torque
- Made of aluminized steel
- Black ceramic coating adds to durability
- Aggressive sounding without being overbearing
Cons
- Some parts are bare metal
- Not exceptionally loud
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.