Braden Carlson
May 17, 2021
Chrysler's Hemi engine design finds a home in the 2020 Ram 1500's 5.7-liter V8. But how fast is it? Is it worth the money?
Legendary Hemi engine design is an integral part of Chryslerto escapeVehicles since its introduction as the "Firedome" or "Firepower" engine in the early 1950's. Although the Hemi name didn't appear until the 1960's, the engine technology had been in use for a decade.
Well, you can't talk about a Chrysler, Dodge, Ram or Plymouth vehicle without the word legendary coming out of your mouth. From classic Barracuda toRAM 1500 currentlywho has Hemi as a favorite is iconic.
The word "Hemi" is simply a shorthand substitute for the word hemispherical. In connection with these engines, it describes the hemispherical combustion chamber in the cylinder heads.
Although the term Hemi is owned by parent company Fiat Chrysler America and has been a trademark of Chrysler since its inception, it is not the only company to use hemispherical combustion chambers in production engines.
BothFord is Chevroletused the technology in the past. However, none were as iconic as the Hemi engines found in Chrysler products.
One of the best known Hemi powered vehicles in recent years is, of course, the Ram 1500. While much of the design engineering used to build the modern Hemi engine has remained the same since its introduction, some modern additions such as e-fuel have been improved injection and intake technologies are also used.
Let's take a look at the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 engine from the2020 Aries 1500truck and its specifications.
2020 Ram 1500 5.7L engine compared to previous variants
DoHemi 5.7L V8available for the first time on the Ram 1500 with the2003 Dodge Ram 1500, remained virtually the same. However, some additions were madein the last decade.
The 2020 Ram 1500 Hemi 5.7L V8 uses a typical overhead valve design with a single overhead camshaft. That stays the same throughout the lifespan of the 5.7 liter Hemi V8.
Furthermore, it uses two spark plugs per cylinder, just like in its original form in 2003. This too remained the same throughout production.
In 2009 engineers added variable cam timing to maximize power and fuel efficiency. Unsurprisingly, horsepower numbers steadily increased throughout production.
As technology advances and fuel injection becomes more efficient, both performance and fuel economy tend to improve.
In addition, the Hemi Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is a cylinder deactivation system that disables certain cylinders under low load conditions to save fuel.
The biggest innovation for the Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi V8 came in 2019.eTorque Mild-Hybrid-Assistenzsystem. This isn't a full hybrid system like you'd find in a Toyota Prius.
Instead of an electric motor driving the wheels, a 48-volt electric motor effectively replaces the alternator. Under deceleration and braking conditions, the eTorque motor generates electricity and charges an internal battery.
The eTorque system also adds bursts of torque up to 130 lb-ft. momentarily when accelerating. While these changes may seem small, they add up to fuel savings. While they aren't pushing these trucks to huge mpg numbers, adding fuel economy to a V8-powered truck is a good thing.
2020 Hemi Ram 1500 5.7L Engine Specifications
Both the standard 5.7 liter Hemi and the 5.7 liter eTorque mild hybrid feature standard block camshaft construction with overhead valve technology. Plus, both are standard V8 engines with a 90-degree layout.
In addition, both have cast iron engine blocks and aluminum cylinder heads. Additionally, both engines use standard multiport electronic fuel injection with a non-return fuel line system.
The standard 5.7 liter Hemi engine hasa power outletof 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. torque and has a compression ratio of 10.5 to 1.
ANDEPA Fuel Economy RatingIt's up to 17mpg in the city and 23mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 19mpg, which isn't bad for a V8 truck. This engine is good for a towing capacity of 11,610 pounds.
The eTorque mild hybrid5.7 liters-Hemi-V8it also makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. It also has the same 10.5 to 1 compression ratio as the standard V8.
However, the 48-volt mild hybrid system offers a substantial jump up to 20mpg in the city and 26mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 23mpg. In addition, the electrically assisted torque boost provides an increased towing capacity of 12,750 pounds, which is the highest towing capacity in its class.
While not a traditional hybrid system, the added efficiency and performance benefits of eTorque definitely make it the right choice when purchasing a 2020 Ram 1500. Additionally, the eTorque system was introduced in 2019. As such, certificates are available for those used models, offering the benefits of a hybrid or smaller engine without sacrificing the power or sound of a V8.
Ram 1500 5.7L V8: A great option for V8 heritage
While there are multiple engine options for the 2020 Ram 1500, both the 5.7-liter V8 and the 5.7-liter eTorque maintain the classic tradition of a Ram lineup with a V8 engine under the hood.
Plus, with 5.7 liter Hemi engines that lastnorth of 200,000 milesTypically, buyers should feel confident buying a Ram 1500 equipped with 5.7L.
Clean used 2020 Ram 1500s 5.7L can be found for under $40,000. Plus, for a model year this new, most examples have relatively low mileage and even come with a factory warranty, so you can be confident in your purchase.
However, as always, it's important to check a used vehicle's VIN number via our free VIN lookup tool to see its detailed history, even if it's almost new. Whichever engine you choose, we hope you enjoy buying your Ram 1500.
Photos: Dodge
common questions
April 10, 2022
Is the 5.7 Hemi fast?
The 2020 Ram 1500's 5.7-liter Hemi-V8 is a relatively fast engine for a truck. The vehicle accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about 5.2 seconds and then covers the quarter mile in about 13.7 seconds, depending on altitude. That's faster than many of the other truck options on the market. As Ford is starting to move towards V6 engines in its trucks, I'm guessing Ram won't be far behind making the switch either.
If that's the case, this might be one of your last chances to own a truck with a big naturally aspirated V8 that performs decently. Typically the 5.7 liter Hemi is faster than the competition from GM and Ford, the only thing that can sometimes slow it down is a lack of weight in the rear, but this can be remedied by putting something to bed.
How much power does a Hemi 5.7 2020 have?
The 2020 Series Ram 1500 with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine comes standard with 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. This is the most powerful engine offered in the Ram 1500 series outside of the TRX, but the diesel has 10 more pound-feet of torque than the gas option. If you're looking for the fastest ram made today, the 1500 series is a great choice.
For the 2021 model year, the TRX was released, which has a larger engine, but is more of a specialty truck and is not priced to compete with the standard 1500 series, being more than double the base price. The Ram 1500 series also has a towing capacity of up to 11,610 pounds with the 5.7 liter engine, which should be enough to tow most things you need to haul. The Hemi engine has also proven itself in the Ram and Dodge, so there aren't many problems with them.
How can I make my 5.7 Hemi Ram faster?
If your Ram 1500 Series 5.7L Hemi engine isn't fast enough for you, you can always modify the engine for more power. As the vehicle is naturally aspirated, it can be more difficult to tune than something with a turbo, where you can get huge power gains simply by increasing the turbo pressure. That said, there are tunings on the market that can improve engine performance and efficiency.
Another simple thing you can do is remove the stock intake and large airbox and replace it with a cool air intake that improves efficiency and throttle response. The next change I would suggest is to replace the stock exhaust with something bigger that can move more air through it to make your engine more powerful. Tuners have generally found the 5.7-liter engine to be capable of around 650 horsepower when fully modified.
Braden Carlson
Braden Carlson has been an automotive journalist for over six years and has contributed to a variety of automotive websites including Team Speed and LS1Tech. When he's not writing or standing under one of his project cars, he can often be seen producing videos and photographs for his YouTube channel, Cursed Forever.
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Specifications and Engine Speed 2020 Ram 1500 5.7L V8