Modest upgrades to 5.7 daily driver

Considering some modest upgrades to my new ride (2012 R/T with manual trans) and surprised there doesn't seem to be much discussion on the board unless I'm using the search function wrong (again)

For Phase one: adding long tube headers, slightly cooler thermostat and a SRT-8 6.4 active intake manifold with SRT-8 air cleaner housing. The intake is noted for adding 20-30 ft/lbs to the 5.7 lower end and the headers are a nice 25+ hp bump. The factory SRT-8 airbox is very good and have no interest in "pipe with an air filter" kit.

Looking into tuner options now, appreciate any input.

Phase two would be an upgrade to 6.1 cam and springs and having the heads cleaned up modestly.

Thoughts? No interest in a blower or upgrading engine size. Just looking to upgrade power output without killing all gas mileage with the daily driver.

Car already has muffler delete out back.

Thanks

You can't use the 6.1 cam. Youll have to run a VVT style cam.

The first round of upgrades sounds good, but I don't think the intake is worth it. I really like the eagle intake that you've got now.

Ah, I assumed the later 6.1 cam was VVT.

Good too know. Is there as decent aftermarket VVT cams?

On the intake I think the 25-30 ft/lbs of torque it provides to the wheels is worth the expense. If I'm going to spend a few hundred on headers to get 25-30 hp why not spend a few hundred for a better intake.

A 392 cam is decent. I have one if you want it.

6.4 cam and a real good tune should net you close to 100 with long tube headers.
Don't know if porting heads would be worth it.
Matt

Going to spend more than a few hundred on headers I would imagine.

$470 for full length headers, chrome.

I just might be interested, is it an MDS camshaft?

Yes it is an MDS cam so you would want the manual trans version with your 6spd. I remembered that right after I posted. I bought it to swap in my wifes '12 Charger.

I would be interested in a cheap 6.1 or 6.4 cam for my motor and don't care if it is MDS, I don't think it is different enough to worry about unless you were going the other way around.

Well its either a VVT cam or a VVT w/MDS on the 392's and 09+ 5.7's. Either will work on a VVT engine but the 392 and 5.7 VVT cams for manuals are a little hotter lobes because they dont use MDS. A 6.1 cam is a non VVT or MDS cam.

I have an 2003 5.7 block and an 2011 5.7 block, I can build whatever I get the best stuff for cheapest. But it sounds to me like gdonavan should buy that cam you got, maybe I am wrong?

I need a non-MDS cam with VVT.

You want the 392 manual cam or a Muscle Motors VVT cam. The 392 cam is usually worth about 30-40 RWHP in a 5.7. I have a 392 A8 cam because I wanted to retain MDS is wifes car.

I have one I will never use...... I bought it to upgrade my 09 5.7 jeep cam but did not realize I have VCT! I think it's from an 05/06 srt8...... I did buy a cheap 6.4 cam VCT that I Will install one of these days........ Get me at my screen name at the yaahoo site..... TBF

One of you want to PM me a price including shipping to my buisness address in 59901 zipper code?

Anyone have links to a 5.7 on the dyno with a 392 camshaft? I'm told by one source it will turn the 5.7 into a pig downstairs.

I have a 5.7 manual 2010 challenger, this 392 cam sounds interesting. What's all would be needed parts wise. Exhaust tuner CAI catch can and tstat is all I run.

I have been reading some very conflicting info, I find it hard to believe it would make a 5.7 "a pig down low" since it is a fairly modest increase in lift and duration. I would NOT be surprised that it gives the 5.7 a shot in the arm considering in stock form the 5.7 makes peak power at 5300 rpm.

For a head that flows as much as it does that is a very low rpm and I'd wager the cam is the limiting factor. Dyno reports indicate as much as a 50 hp increase with a cam swap.

Well anyone know the timing and lift specs on the 392 cam?

A Google search will take you to the LXForums, lots of info there, from memory it's 215/220 ish and .570"ish lift, 117LSA?

yeah I doubt that would hurt the low end much on a 5.7

392 6.4 VVT Cam Specs

215/221 @ .050"
.353"/.333" lobe lift
.574"/.541" valve lift
121 LSA
108 ICL

Stock Eagle 5.7 VVT Cam Specs 6 speed

188/205 @ .050"
243/267 @ .006"
.312"/.304" lobe lift
.500"/.486" valve lift
115 LSA

That seems like a lot of LSA, is that just to keep the valves from hitting each other?

Not sure, does the VVT play into the ridiculous LSA? How much does the VVT move cam timing?

LSA is usually for emissions and clean smooth idle. That's why cam swaps in these things is alot of times worth 100hp.