So I just bought a 2003 dodge 1500 hemi 5.7.

Hmm it kind of sounds like a lifter?? If I change the exhaust manifold, would that be a good place to start?

Check ALL manifold to cylinder head bolts to see if any are missing.. Find an experienced 'mechanic' to listen to the engine.. That shouldn't be a problem to diagnose.... However this day in time, an experienced .. old school mechanic IS hard to find!! Good luck.

Thank you, that is the issue I'm having is finding a decent priced mechanic that is reasonable with the price. All one told me is it could be internal in the engine, or a lifter, or maybe the exhaust.

Yeah, that's getting to be a problem and unfortunately it will get worse in the near future... If the problem doesn't appear on some type of screen, then it doesn't exist... Now that's technology!

Very true.