Direct Connection’s Supercharged Surprise Ram 1500 Express

Direct Connection’s Supercharged Surprise Ram 1500 Express​

A Quiet Debut with Loud Potential​

At this year’s Roadkill Nights, the spotlight was firmly on Dodge. Crowds gathered to witness the debut of the 2026 Dodge Durango SRT HELLCAT Jailbreak and the highly anticipated Dodge Charger SIXPACK models. Those vehicles dominated the headlines—but in the background, Ram quietly introduced a truck that could prove equally significant for performance enthusiasts: a 2026 Ram 1500 Express equipped with the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 and eTorque mild-hybrid system, enhanced with conceptual Direct Connection performance parts.

Direct Connection's Supercharged Surprise Ram 1500 Express

Learn about Ram’s groundbreaking 2026 Ram 1500 Express featuring Direct Connection enhancements for unmatched performance and capability.

moparinsiders.com

 

[bill burke]

If dealership installed, with a modest warranty that maintains factory guidelines of original ownership, this set up might be just right for all 5.7 Hemi vehicles, specifically like my Challenger R/T. Minus the E-torque compatibility, there might be a huge demand from Hemi owners. What’s the chances ?

 

[vbondjr1]

Could you imagine what Direct Connection could do with the 5.7L if they really thought about it? A few years ago they had that "Scat Pack" Stage kit setup for the 5.7L which had the 392 Heads and exhaust along with an upgraded cam and a tune. Imagine for a second what Direct Connection could do with a 5.7L Hemi with this new Whipple supercharger, a set of Apache heads, a performance camshaft, a 6.1L crank (which is just a forged version of the 5.7L Crank), direct connection tune, bigger injectors, Hellcat fuel pump, SRT exhaust manifolds/cats and a Magnaflow catback exhaust. Have that as a Direct Connection package for the 15+ Charger/Challenger & 300 cars along with a package made for the Jeep Grand Cherokees, Durangos and the 1500-series pickup trucks along with Direct Connection Brembo big-brake packages, Direct Connection suspension upgrades that would upgrade non SRT vehicles to nearly SRT spec minus the adaptive shocks and so many other things.

I'm a big advocate for Direct Connection and honestly feel that every dealership should be a power brokers dealership across the country, no questions asked. People who buy cars from this brand are usually looking to modify and upgrade their cars anyway, so why not be able to do it directly from the dealership. Most people can afford a 5.7L Hemi powered vehicle, so why not give people access to upgrades right from the factory. Direct Connection already has exhaust systems from ARH along with some suspension stuff from AAD and for awhile they were also partnered with Borla for certain exhaust projects. They were partnered with Katzkins for interior upholstery packages and all kinds of stuff, so why not continue that but make it bigger? To me, Direct Connection, from a business standpoint, is a missed opportunity for Dodge. I watch both GM and Ford have their performance catalogs, GM especially with their "connect and cruise" engine and transmission packages and the Z28 and ZL1 take off parts for the lower tier Camaros along with Recaro seats and everything else, Same as Ford with Ford Performance and I wonder why Dodge, the performance brand, has not really cashed in on this? Every Dodge dealership parts department should literally be a speed shop. Every dodge dealership should be a magnet for Mopar enthusiasts and that ranges from Muscle, to Jeep, to Ram. Dodge is bringing out an all-Hemi lineup for the Durango, upgrades need to be advertised and available. The Hurricane-6 Charger is coming, Direct Connection NEEDS to be all over this car with parts available right from EVERY SINGLE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY!

 

[bill burke]

Could you imagine what Direct Connection could do with the 5.7L if they really thought about it? A few years ago they had that "Scat Pack" Stage kit setup for the 5.7L which had the 392 Heads and exhaust along with an upgraded cam and a tune. Imagine for a second what Direct Connection could do with a 5.7L Hemi with this new Whipple supercharger, a set of Apache heads, a performance camshaft, a 6.1L crank (which is just a forged version of the 5.7L Crank), direct connection tune, bigger injectors, Hellcat fuel pump, SRT exhaust manifolds/cats and a Magnaflow catback exhaust. Have that as a Direct Connection package for the 15+ Charger/Challenger & 300 cars along with a package made for the Jeep Grand Cherokees, Durangos and the 1500-series pickup trucks along with Direct Connection Brembo big-brake packages, Direct Connection suspension upgrades that would upgrade non SRT vehicles to nearly SRT spec minus the adaptive shocks and so many other things.

I'm a big advocate for Direct Connection and honestly feel that every dealership should be a power brokers dealership across the country, no questions asked. People who buy cars from this brand are usually looking to modify and upgrade their cars anyway, so why not be able to do it directly from the dealership. Most people can afford a 5.7L Hemi powered vehicle, so why not give people access to upgrades right from the factory. Direct Connection already has exhaust systems from ARH along with some suspension stuff from AAD and for awhile they were also partnered with Borla for certain exhaust projects. They were partnered with Katzkins for interior upholstery packages and all kinds of stuff, so why not continue that but make it bigger? To me, Direct Connection, from a business standpoint, is a missed opportunity for Dodge. I watch both GM and Ford have their performance catalogs, GM especially with their "connect and cruise" engine and transmission packages and the Z28 and ZL1 take off parts for the lower tier Camaros along with Recaro seats and everything else, Same as Ford with Ford Performance and I wonder why Dodge, the performance brand, has not really cashed in on this? Every Dodge dealership parts department should literally be a speed shop. Every dodge dealership should be a magnet for Mopar enthusiasts and that ranges from Muscle, to Jeep, to Ram. Dodge is bringing out an all-Hemi lineup for the Durango, upgrades need to be advertised and available. The Hurricane-6 Charger is coming, Direct Connection NEEDS to be all over this car with parts available right from EVERY SINGLE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY!

Kind of my thinking too. If not every dealer, perhaps an SRT/DC associated dealership in a geographic area.
When I bought my first Crossfire I got genuine VIP treatment along with a set of unique Crossfire luggage. Of course I still have them in the original boxes for posterity. Point is, that enhancing the whole CDJR dealership experience and go to mechanical expertise in after market goodies would be a win-win for everyone. SRT and Direct Connection, if I were a dealer I’d be all over this. I also have my “Dick Landy Performance Clinic” goodies from the 1980s tucked away, that event would be a nice thing to revive too.

 

[vbondjr1]

Kind of my thinking too. If not every dealer, perhaps an SRT/DC associated dealership in a geographic area.

When I bought my first Crossfire I got genuine VIP treatment along with a set of unique Crossfire luggage. Of course I still have them in the original boxes for posterity. Point is, that enhancing the whole CDJR dealership experience and go to mechanical expertise in after market goodies would be a win-win for everyone. SRT and Direct Connection, if I were a dealer I’d be all over this. I also have my “Dick Landy Performance Clinic” goodies from the 1980s tucked away, that event would be a nice thing to revive too.

I guess my thinking goes along the lines of utilizing what we have as a brand. Especially since these brands are all about passion. I've worked in Dealerships for years now and I can't stand being in boring dealerships. But to me things in dealerships, especially Mopar dealerships, are run completely backwards. A Mopar dealership should not have the same environment inside as GM, or Kia, or Toyota. Walking into a Mopar dealership should be like walking in to a Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops or a Summit Racing location or even in a sense, a good Home Depot. It should feel special, not mundane. You should see Jeeps accessorized with Jeep off road upgrades, SRT and Direct Connection should have a presence when you walk through the doors, Ram should have that presence when you walk through the doors. The parts department should not only be a place to just go get parts, but it should be a place where Direct Connection, SRT, Mopar Accessories and B-Pro Auto parts are displayed and celebrated, not treated as a burden. Not to get too deep into it, but it's another thing Stellantis needs to address if they are serious about trying to reconnect with their customers. Presentation is key! Not to mention that aftersales are a huge part of this industry and this is a brand that should never struggle with aftersales! This is a brand that should never struggle with used car sales! If Direct Connection could grow and incorporate a few more key aftermarket brands into its fold for things like wheels, lighting, interiors, body parts, performance, etc. Stellantis could easily dominate the North American market with no problem. Not to mention better advertising their B-Pro line of parts for their over the counter sales. I'm sorry. I don't want to get to deep into this. I just see so much potential with the brand it's hard not to talk about.

 

[dangeregnad]

Now just find a way to get rid of the etorque system and you have something worth buying