The cylinder designated as number 5 on a 5.7 HEMI is the front-most cylinder on the driver-side bank (cylinders 5–8). In other words, it’s the first cylinder you’d see on the left bank when you’re facing the engine from the front of the vehicle.
How the 5.7 HEMI numbers its cylinders
Understanding the cylinder layout of the 5.7 HEMI helps locate any cylinder quickly for maintenance, parts replacement, or diagnostics. The engine is a V8 with two banks of four cylinders. The numbering runs front-to-back along each bank: cylinders 1–4 occupy the passenger side, while cylinders 5–8 occupy the driver side.
- Cylinder 1 is at the front of the passenger-side bank.
- Cylinders 2–4 follow toward the rear of the passenger side.
- Cylinder 5 is at the front of the driver-side bank.
- Cylinders 6–8 follow toward the rear of the driver side.
Knowing this layout helps when replacing spark plugs, coils, or performing inspections without confusion.
Where to visually locate cylinder 5 on your engine
With the engine in the vehicle and the hood open, stand at the front and look toward the driver side. The leftmost bank (driver side) contains cylinders 5–8; cylinder 5 sits at the front of that bank closest to the radiator. The spark plugs or ignition coils for that cylinder align along that bank, depending on your engine's ignition setup (coil-on-plug vs. coil packs).
Because space around the left bank is often tighter, you might access cylinder 5 by removing nearby components or using a swivel socket. Always consult your service manual for exact coil/plug access points for your model year.
Why it matters for maintenance
Accurate cylinder identification aids several common tasks—spark plug replacement, fuel injector service, compression testing, and diagnosing misfires. Knowing that cylinder 5 sits at the front of the driver-side bank keeps you oriented quickly without double-checking a diagram each time.
Summary
On a 5.7 HEMI, cylinder 5 is the front-most cylinder on the driver-side bank (the left bank when facing the engine from the front). The numbering on this V8 runs front-to-back along each bank: 1–4 on the passenger side, 5–8 on the driver side. This orientation helps with quick reference during maintenance and diagnostics.