Cam or converter?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Prestonguillory14

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2023
Posts
119
Reaction score
85
Location
Livonia, Louisiana
Ram Year
2015 Sport
Engine
5.7L HEMI
Hey guys so pretty soon im thinking about doing some performace upgrades and kind of on a tighter budget and was wondering if yall think I should do a converter to put the power to the ground or a cam, either way we go it will have a tune and long tubes. I also have the 8sp trans if that helps. Thanks
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
14,292
Reaction score
25,014
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Hey guys so pretty soon im thinking about doing some performace upgrades and kind of on a tighter budget and was wondering if yall think I should do a converter to put the power to the ground or a cam, either way we go it will have a tune and long tubes. I also have the 8sp trans if that helps. Thanks
If you're on a tight budget,be realistic.There's a few cams out that don't require a convertor,get ahold of Matt Fikac at Moes,and talk to him about a cam that'll work for your application.First thing to ask yourself,can you afford to fix it,or have it down for a couple weeks if it breaks,if you can't,then don't get stupid modding it. A very mild cam and long tubes and maybe a 6.4 intake manifold,will still be reliable and work good as a daily driven truck.Don't go cheap on lifters,get OEM lifters
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
14,292
Reaction score
25,014
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
The OEM lifters are still one of the best lifters you can buy,the only ones maybe better are the Johnson lifters with axle oiling,but they come with their own issues to.
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
14,292
Reaction score
25,014
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
If your going with long tube headers and a tune anyway, get the ones that delete the cats all together
Alot of tuners won't delete the cats anymore,plus in a few states,there's a good chance you won't pass emissions with no cats.Throw in the fact the exhaust stinks,and keeping the cats starts to look better.
I run no cats,but i'm also in Alberta where emission testing is a non issue,but i don't push deleting the cats anymore,the gains from no cats hardly offsets the headaches from running without them these days
 

diymirage

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2024
Posts
341
Reaction score
354
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Alot of tuners won't delete the cats anymore,plus in a few states,there's a good chance you won't pass emissions with no cats.Throw in the fact the exhaust stinks,and keeping the cats starts to look better.
I run no cats,but i'm also in Alberta where emission testing is a non issue,but i don't push deleting the cats anymore,the gains from no cats hardly offsets the headaches from running without them these days
im not pushing for it one way or another, im simply saying, if the long tube headers is a given, and the choice is between cam and cats, than to me, it is a no brainer

but your right, way to many kommies out there encroaching on your rights to do what you want with you own vehicles
 
OP
OP
Prestonguillory14

Prestonguillory14

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2023
Posts
119
Reaction score
85
Location
Livonia, Louisiana
Ram Year
2015 Sport
Engine
5.7L HEMI
Hey guys thanks for all the info but what I’m trying to really figure out which would be the best bang for the buck a cam “or” converter, can’t really swing the money to do both right now. Thanks
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
14,292
Reaction score
25,014
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Hey guys thanks for all the info but what I’m trying to really figure out which would be the best bang for the buck a cam “or” converter, can’t really swing the money to do both right now. Thanks
Best bang for your buck is always a small shot of nitrous ;) You can get away with up to a 75 shot on the stock tune,as long as you run colder plugs and keep the tank full of at least 91 octane.
 

crackerjack1957

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2015
Posts
2,064
Reaction score
2,484
Ram Year
2014 Sport 1500 CC 4x4
Engine
Hemi 5.7...65RFE...4.56
Hey guys thanks for all the info but what I’m trying to really figure out which would be the best bang for the buck a cam “or” converter, can’t really swing the money to do both right now. Thanks
You don't need a converter for 8HP70 with stock or a mild cam.
If it was a 65RFE transmission then yes converter needed.
 
Top