xkxe003

Haven't had much luck with Vararam responding to my requests for assistance so I thought I would try here. My issue is that I can't see either piece fitting, whether together or separate, under the hood in a way that would allow the hood to shut..

With the intake installed with the coupling flush on the TB, the coupling is squashed on the radiator. This doesn't change much by removing the plastic cover.






This image is with the Ram part installed with the rubber expanding drums in the proper holes, then the intake installed. If the Ram is moved any lower, the opening becomes partially blocked. Since there is only one possible place for the rubber bits on the Ram to go, I'm lost as to what adjustments to make. This is the part that has me the most confused, because even with a longer coupling forced in there that would sort of fit over the TB, there isn't anyway the hood would shut.

06CSIX

http://forum.lsxtv.com/showthread.php?t=1505

JRHAWK9

It will fit, you just need to get your angles correct. You will need to cut the rubber pieces at an angle.

-THIS- thread used to have some good photos, but I see the OP took them down and apparently doesn't even have a Vette anymore.

xkxe003

I had seen that. Unfortunately they stop with the pics when they get as far as I have, and more reference what they did, rather than explaining what they did.

xkxe003

Saw that thread too. If the pics were still up it would have been great.

Boomer111

One of the reasons I got rid on mine, pain in the *** to check filter.

Getting the scoop in the right position is tricky.

JRHAWK9

If my car wasn't put away in winter storage I would snap a couple pics and post them for ya. I tried looking back in what I have and I didn't save any of the photos I did take of it installed.

John Harry

When I had a Vararam several years ago I found the duct was too high, which appears to be part of your problem. Here's what I did to lower it:

Measure the clearance between the bottom of the air scoop and the splash pan, and between the underside of the duct and the top of the radiator shroud. Check the clearance between the Vararam’s rubber clamp hinges and the fan shroud, too. Take the smallest of these measurements, subtract at least 1/8” safety factor, and drill two new mounting holes (the holes for the screws that attach it to the mounting bar) in the bottom duct that distance above the original holes. If the original holes were drilled off-center or at an uneven height, as mine were, this is a good opportunity to correct it. This results in the duct sitting lower. The original holes can be plugged with a dab of black high-temp sensor-safe RTV silicone.

Also, you may want to replace the two screws that go into these holes. The originals in mine were Phillips head, and there isn’t quite enough clearance to get even a stubby screwdriver on them to prevent them turning while threading down the lock nuts. Rather than fight them I used two hex-head machine screws, which let me put a small wrench on the end.

TripleAstyle123

The new vararam I ordered has a front page instructional "tech note" for the new "mounting system that allows front to rear and some height adjustment". I can't seem to scan/ copy it onto the forum but if you ask Vararam they should know what I am talking about. It says something about up/down and left/right holes oversized allowing for 1/2in movement and included 1/4in rubber spacers and studs.

xkxe003

Thanks for the detailed instruction. I kind of thought I may have to do something like this, but was really hoping not to have to go to the trouble.

John Harry

If, as TripleAstyle123 says, the new ones have some height adjustment, then you might not have to make alterations as I did. Good luck.

TripleAstyle123

not to hijack BUT- I went to install mine today and it does not seem to fit at all with the factoy Z-51 oil cooler in place. I have the same kit as the OP it appears. Does anyone know what to do with the oil coler and mounting bracket that originally was supported on the factory shroud that's cut out. ??

xkxe003

You should have got a bracket from Vararam with your kit for relocating. It isn't listed on their site, but you need some extra parts for Z51. Call Vararam and tell them you have the Z51. For $120 they will send you the bracket and a different coupling. However, for my Z51/LS3 the bracket they send is not bent correctly, so it doesn't reach any mounting points. They insist it will fit however. The coupling was useless as well. They also insist it will fit. So far their insistence has had no affect on physics.

I really think the Vararam kits are made to fit a few models perfectly, then any models that vary outside those few, it is left to the user to modify and overcome.

TripleAstyle123

Any chance you could send me a pic of what the mounting bracket looks like? I am hoping you are wrong because this was not in my plans when I ordered the kit. I swear I saw z-51 cars with it installed and no mention of anything special done compared to base car....

xkxe003

You can see in the images in the below thread. This is on a early model 08.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...r-bracket.html

Robg91z

did anyone ever find the solution for this? i had the same problem with my ls3 vette

Boomer111

My solution was to replace it with the oem unit.

I got it to fit but it was just a pain to check for good closure all the time, regarding the warping problem and poor fit tendencies of the filter housing.

Some deal with it but I found it to be unacceptable.

John Harry

That's what I finally did too. To me, just not worth the hassle.