Finding the best cam kit for 5.7 hemi builds usually starts with a simple goal: you want that classic muscle car chop and a lot more power when you mash the gas. The 5.7 Eagle Hemi is a great engine, but let's be honest, Chrysler left a lot of performance on the table to keep things quiet and "fuel-efficient" for the average driver. If you're reading this, you aren't the average driver. You're likely looking for that sweet spot between a daily driver you can actually live with and a beast that turns heads at the stoplight.
Choosing a cam isn't just about picking the one with the biggest numbers. It's about matching the cam to how you actually use your truck or car. A heavy Ram 1500 needs a completely different setup than a lightweight Challenger. If you go too big on a heavy truck, you'll lose all your low-end torque, and the thing will feel like a dog until you hit 4,000 RPM. Nobody wants that.
The MDS Elephant in the Room
Before you even start looking at specific kits, we have to talk about the Multi-Displacement System (MDS). If you have an automatic 5.7 Hemi, your engine likes to shut down four cylinders when you're cruising to save gas. While it sounds good on paper, it's a nightmare for performance cams. Most people looking for the best cam kit for 5.7 hemi end up doing an MDS delete.
Why? Because performance cams and MDS lifters don't play nice together. MDS lifters are prone to failure anyway (the infamous Hemi tick), so if you're pulling the heads off to swap a cam, you might as well put in solid non-MDS lifters. Most high-quality kits will include the plugs and lifters needed to get rid of that system once and for all. It makes the engine more reliable and lets you run a much more aggressive lobe profile.
Comp Cams HRT Series: The Crowd Favorite
If you've spent five minutes on any Mopar forum, you've heard of the Comp Cams HRT (Hydraulic Roller Thumper) series. For many, this is the best cam kit for 5.7 hemi because they've done the homework for you. They have stages ranging from "Stage 1" (which is basically a mild upgrade that works with a stock torque converter) to "Stage 3" ( which requires a high-stall converter and might make your neighbors hate you).
The Stage 2 HRT is usually the "Goldilocks" choice. It gives you a noticeable lope—that rhythmic "thump-thump" sound—without making the car impossible to drive in traffic. It adds a massive chunk of mid-range power, which is exactly where the 5.7 Hemi lives. Just keep in mind that with Comp Cams, you really want to buy the full kit including the valve springs and pushrods. The stock Hemi springs are notorious for being weak, and a high-lift cam will snap them like toothpicks.
Texas Speed (TSP) and the Pursuit of Power
Texas Speed has made a massive name for themselves in the LS world, and they brought that same energy to the Gen III Hemi. Their Stage 2 or Stage 3 "Chopacabra" style cams are incredibly popular right now. If your goal is pure sound and top-end horsepower, a TSP kit might be the best cam kit for 5.7 hemi for your specific build.
What I like about TSP is that they offer very complete "one-click" kits. You get the cam, the springs, the pushrods, the phaser limiter, and the MDS delete hardware all in one box. It takes the guesswork out of it. Their grinds tend to be a bit more aggressive, so if you're running a Ram 1500, make sure you look at their "Truck" specific cams. These are designed to keep the torque curve low so you can still pull a trailer without the engine struggling.
Brian Tooley Racing (BTR) Truck Cams
Speaking of trucks, Brian Tooley Racing (BTR) offers some of the most well-engineered cams for people who actually use their 5.7 Hemi for truck stuff. If you have a Ram and you want more power but don't want to lose the ability to tow your boat, BTR is often the way to go.
Their "Truck Norris" Hemi cam is a bit of a legend. It's designed to provide a massive boost in torque right where you need it, and it sounds great too. It's a very "usable" power increase. You aren't just gaining 50 horsepower at 6,500 RPM where you'll never see it; you're gaining power in the 2,500 to 4,500 range, which makes the truck feel much lighter and more responsive on the street.
Don't Forget the Supporting Cast
I can't stress this enough: the "best" cam kit is only as good as the parts supporting it. When you're looking for the best cam kit for 5.7 hemi, you need to look at the "while you're in there" items.
- Valve Springs: Don't even think about using stock springs. Most kits come with beehive or dual springs. Use them.
- Pushrods: The stock Hemi pushrods are thin. Chromoly pushrods are a cheap insurance policy against engine failure.
- Phaser Limiter: The 5.7 Hemi uses Variable Valve Timing (VVT). A big cam can move so much that the valves might actually hit the pistons. A phaser limiter kit restricts that movement to a safe range.
- Oil Pump: Since you're already tearing the front of the engine apart, putting in a high-volume oil pump (like a Melling) is a smart move.
The Reality of Tuning
Here is the part people often forget: you can't just install the best cam kit for 5.7 hemi and drive away. The factory Computer (ECU) will have absolutely no idea what to do with all that extra air. It will likely idle like crap, throw a check engine light, and might even stall at every stoplight.
You must budget for a custom tune. Whether you're using an HP Tuners setup or a handheld programmer with a custom email tune, it's a non-negotiable part of the process. A good tuner will smooth out the idle, adjust the shift points (if you're an automatic), and make sure your air-fuel ratios are safe. Without a tune, you're just wasting money on hardware.
Is a Cam Swap Worth It?
If you're looking for that "wow" factor, then yes, absolutely. A 5.7 Hemi with a proper cam sounds better than almost any other modern V8. It has that deep, guttural growl that just screams American muscle. Beyond the sound, the performance gains are real. It's not uncommon to see 50 to 70 rear-wheel horsepower gains with a Stage 2 cam and headers.
But it's a big job. If you're doing it yourself, give yourself a full weekend (and maybe a few extra cases of beer for your friends). If you're paying a shop, be prepared for a decent labor bill because getting to the cam on a Hemi requires stripping the front of the engine and pulling the heads (if you're doing the lifters).
Final Thoughts
The best cam kit for 5.7 hemi really depends on your goals. If you want a daily driver with a bit of attitude, go for a Comp Cams HRT Stage 1 or a BTR Truck Cam. If you want a weekend warrior that sounds like a race car, look at the Texas Speed Stage 3 or Comp Stage 2/3.
Just remember to do the MDS delete, upgrade your springs, and get a solid tune. Do it right the first time, and you'll fall in love with your Hemi all over again every time you turn the key. There's nothing quite like that first cold start after a cam swap when the engine settles into that steady, rhythmic chop. It makes all the bloody knuckles and long hours in the garage totally worth it.