Kooks 09-18 Dodge 1500 HEMI Pick Up Truck 1-5/8in x 1-3/4in Stainless Steel Shorty Headers

Stepped Stainless Headers That Unlock 25-Plus Horsepower and 40-Plus lb-ft of Torque on the 5.7L HEMI Ram 1500

The Kooks 35101110 replaces the cast-iron factory exhaust manifolds on 2009 through 2018 Dodge and Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI trucks with precision-bent 304 stainless steel Torque Series shorty headers engineered for maximum performance gains across the broadest possible powerband. Stepped 1-5/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch primary tubes deliver a measurable increase of 25-plus rear-wheel horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 40-plus lb-ft of torque at 4,100 RPM over stock manifolds, gains Kooks verified at the tire on a 5.7L HEMI with the factory tune in place. The 35101110 connects directly to the factory catalytic converters, preserving emissions systems, O2 sensor placement, and EGR provisions without cutting, welding, or purchasing additional mid-pipes.

Kooks built the 35101110 around the specific firing order and port geometry of the 5.7L HEMI VVT engine, using a D-shaped flange port that matches the head gasket opening precisely and a 4-into-1 mitered merge collector that promotes scavenging without turbulence. The 3/8 inch thick laser-cut 304 stainless steel flanges are CNC-machined to eliminate warping and gasket blowout, and every primary tube is mandrel-bent from 16-gauge material to maintain consistent wall thickness through every bend. Whether the application is a daily-driven 2WD Laramie, a heavy-towing 4WD Big Horn, or a modified sport truck, the 35101110 delivers repeatable gains on the VVT-equipped 5.7L without requiring an aftermarket tune to function.

Key Features

• 1-5/8 in. to 1-3/4 in. Stepped Primaries: Stepped diameter construction accelerates exhaust velocity at low RPM and promotes maximum flow at high RPM for broad gains across the entire powerband.
• 25-Plus RWHP at 5,500 RPM: Kooks-verified dyno gains of 25-plus horsepower and 40-plus lb-ft of torque at the tire over stock cast-iron manifolds, measured on the factory tune.
• Direct OEM Cat Connection: Bolt-on to factory catalytic converters with no additional mid-pipes, connection pipes, or fabrication required.
• 3/8 in. Laser-Cut D-Port Flanges: CNC-machined 304 stainless flanges are port-matched to the 5.7L HEMI head opening and resist warping or gasket failure under sustained heat cycles.
• 16-Gauge 304 Stainless Steel Tubing: Heavy-duty wall thickness resists corrosion and maintains structural integrity through repeated thermal cycling from ambient temperatures to sustained exhaust heat.
• EGR Provisions Included: Factory EGR connections are retained on the 35101110 so emissions systems remain operational on all applicable model years.
• No Tune Required: The Torque Series design allows the 5.7L VVT HEMI to produce measurable power gains while operating on the factory ECU calibration.
• Handcrafted in the USA: Every Kooks 35101110 is built to order at Kooks' Statesville, North Carolina facility with the same quality standards applied to their race-winning competition headers.

What's Included

• 2 x Stepped 1-5/8 in. x 1-3/4 in. T304 Stainless Steel Torque Series Shorty Headers with 4-into-1 Mitered Merge Collectors
• Stage 8 Locking Header Bolts and Mounting Hardware
• OEM-Matching Exhaust Gaskets
• Installation Manual with Torque Specifications

Install Instructions

1. Raise and support the vehicle on a lift or four jack stands at the factory-specified jacking points. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Remove the factory air intake assembly and throttle body tube for upper engine bay access.
3. Spray penetrating oil on all exhaust manifold bolts and O2 sensor threads. Allow adequate soak time before attempting removal.
4. Support the transmission and motor with a floor jack. Remove the transmission crossmember to gain clearance for manifold extraction.
5. On the driver side, remove the lower motor mount bolt to access the lower dipstick tube bolt. Remove the dipstick tube lower fastener and move the tube aside.
6. Disconnect all four O2 sensor electrical harnesses. Remove all four O2 sensors using a 7/8 inch O2 sensor socket and set aside.
7. Remove all remaining accessible exhaust manifold bolts from the top of the engine. Loosen the cat-back exhaust clamp at the muffler inlet. Unbolt the factory Y-pipe at both manifolds and slide the assembly forward, then down to remove from under the truck.
8. Re-install the transmission crossmember temporarily and lower the jack. Clean all head flange surfaces thoroughly with a scraper and degreaser. Remove all carbon buildup without scratching the head surface.
9. Install the supplied exhaust gaskets on the head studs. Install the driver-side Kooks 35101110 header and dipstick tube together as a single unit. Start all bolts by hand before tightening.
10. Install the passenger-side header with new gaskets. Tighten all header bolts to factory torque specification in the factory sequence, typically 18 to 20 lb-ft. Re-install the dipstick tube lower bolt and left motor mount bolt.
11. Re-install all four O2 sensors with anti-seize on threads. Reconnect all O2 sensor harnesses.
12. Reconnect the factory Y-pipe or OEM catalytic converters to the header collectors. Re-install the transmission crossmember to final torque specification.
13. Re-install the air intake assembly. Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Start the engine and inspect for exhaust leaks at all flanges and collector connections.
14. Allow the vehicle to complete a full heat cycle (bring to operating temperature and cool completely). Re-torque all header bolts and clamps after the first heat cycle and again after a few hundred miles of driving.

Product Specifications

This Part Fits

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Kooks 35101110 fit both 2WD and 4WD Ram 1500 trucks?
A: Yes. The 35101110 is engineered to fit all 2WD and 4WD configurations of the 2009 through 2018 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI engine. The stepped shorty design routes around the differential and transfer case hardware present on 4WD models without modification.

Q: Will the 35101110 fit the Ram 1500 Classic sold after 2018?
A: No. The 35101110 is designed for the DS platform Ram 1500 sold from 2009 through 2018. The Ram 1500 Classic sold from 2019 onward uses the same DS platform, but Kooks offers a separate part number for those model years. Verify fitment before ordering if your truck is a 2019-plus 1500 Classic.

Q: Do I need a tune after installing the Kooks 35101110?
A: A tune is not required for normal operation. The 35101110 is specifically engineered as a no-tune Torque Series header that produces its documented gains using the factory ECU calibration. A professional custom tune will extract additional power beyond the published baseline gains.

Q: Does the 35101110 connect to my factory catalytic converters?
A: Yes. The collector outlet on the 35101110 is designed to bolt directly to the factory OEM catalytic converter inlets. No additional connection pipes, mid-pipes, or Y-pipe modifications are required for a standard installation.

Q: Does the 35101110 work with the factory EGR system?
A: Yes. Kooks designed provisions for the EGR connection into the 35101110 so the factory exhaust gas recirculation system remains intact on all applicable model years. No EGR delete or relocation is required.

Q: What is the warranty on the Kooks 35101110?
A: Kooks provides a limited lifetime warranty on all stainless steel components to the original purchaser. Coverage is governed by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which means installing this part does not void your vehicle's factory powertrain warranty solely on the basis of the modification. Warranty claims are handled directly through Kooks Custom Headers.

Q: How long does it take to receive the 35101110?
A: Every 35101110 is built to order at Kooks' USA facility. Standard lead time is 4 to 6 weeks. Orders requesting optional Jet-Hot ceramic coatings require an additional 15 to 20 business days. Contact the seller for current production timelines before placing your order.

Q: Can I get the 35101110 with a ceramic coating for additional heat protection?
A: Yes. Kooks offers optional Jet-Hot 1,300-degree ceramic coating in Classic Polish Silver, Satin Silver, Satin Black, and Flat Black finishes. Ceramic-coated orders are not eligible for exchange or return and add 15 to 20 business days to the lead time.

Q: Is the Kooks 35101110 legal in California?
A: This header is not CARB-approved and cannot be legally installed on registered street vehicles in California or other CARB-regulated states. It does not carry a CARB Executive Order number.

Why Kooks

• Over 60 years of American-made exhaust excellence with documented wins in the NHRA, IHRA, NMCA, NMRA, NASCAR, NASA, and SCCA.
• Every unit is hand-TIG-welded and inspected before leaving the Statesville, North Carolina facility.
• Limited lifetime warranty backed by six-plus decades of stainless fabrication expertise and race-proven quality.

California Proposition 65 Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including Chromium and Nickel, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.