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The Dodge Charger R/T’s 5.7L Hemi V8 responds well to simple bolt-ons, and the smart order is intake, exhaust, then a tune to tie it together. Realistically a full bolt-on setup adds roughly 18-25 rear-wheel horsepower plus a much better sound and throttle response. Here are the best mods for a Charger R/T in 2026, in the order most owners do them.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBK Cold Air Intake (5.7 Hemi) | $250-$400 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Flowmaster / Borla Cat-Back Exhaust | $700-$1,400 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | DiabloSport inTune i3 Tuner | $400-$650 | Amazon |
| 4 | Long-Tube Headers (JBA / Kooks) | $900-$1,800 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Mishimoto 180-Degree Thermostat | $40-$90 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
BBK Cold Air Intake (5.7 Hemi)
The classic first mod — frees up airflow for ~5-15 hp and an instantly more aggressive intake note.
- Direct 5.7 Hemi fitment
- Washable high-flow filter
- Easy bolt-in install
- Cheap, effective starting point
- Better sound and response
- Reusable filter
- Modest power alone
- Best paired with a tune
Flowmaster / Borla Cat-Back Exhaust
The single biggest sound upgrade — a mandrel-bent cat-back wakes up the Hemi’s V8 rumble and adds a few hp.
- Stainless mandrel-bent tubing
- Aggressive Hemi tone
- ~10-25 rwhp range
- Transforms the exhaust note
- Quality stainless build
- Bolt-on fit
- Can drone on the highway
- Pricey
DiabloSport inTune i3 Tuner
The mod that ties it all together — a handheld tune that unlocks 15-20+ hp and optimizes your bolt-ons.
- Handheld ECU flash
- Pre-loaded and custom tunes
- Adjusts timing, fuel, shifts
- Biggest single power gain
- Wakes up the whole car
- Tunes around your other mods
- Most expensive piece
- Requires care/correct octane
Long-Tube Headers (JBA / Kooks)
The serious power adder — long-tube headers add 20-25 rwhp with a tune, the next step after intake and exhaust.
- Long-tube design
- Pairs with high-flow mids
- Big top-end gains with tune
- Largest bolt-on power jump
- Great with a tune
- Improved exhaust flow
- Labor-intensive install
- Emissions/legal considerations vary
Mishimoto 180-Degree Thermostat
A cheap supporting mod — a lower-temp thermostat keeps intake temps down and pairs perfectly with a tune.
- 180F operating temp
- Cooler, denser intake charge
- Direct Hemi fitment
- Inexpensive
- Helps consistency and timing
- Easy add-on
- Needs a tune to fully benefit
- Small gain by itself
Buying tips
- Do mods in order: intake, then cat-back exhaust, then a tune to pull it all together for the best gains.
- Use the octane your tune calls for (often 91/93) and have the car re-tuned after adding headers.
- Check local emissions rules before fitting long-tube headers or removing cats.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.