vararam intake boosting 40hp?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 123
From: gresham oregon
vararam intake boosting 40hp?
Vararam is saying their intake unit will make 40hp. They dont say if it is rwhp. I know there are some users out there, so users, what do you think, is vararam just blowing smoke. I can see maybe 10hp, but not 40? 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
this has been beaten to death. There are believers and the non-believers.
Someone in the tech section has many documented before and after runs... worth 3 mph or something like that in the quarter (i don't remember if he had a blackwing as the baseline, or stock assembly)
Someone in the tech section has many documented before and after runs... worth 3 mph or something like that in the quarter (i don't remember if he had a blackwing as the baseline, or stock assembly)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 134
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From: Corpus Christi Texas
I have a vararam on my 02 zo6 and can feel the difference at freeway speeds. I think its possible for a 40 HP improvement in the winter at freeway speeds(60mph plus). I'm not sure that during the summer (95-100 degrees) that the vararam will make 40 HP. I have used ram air on several of my cars (mustangs,f-bodys)and always felt a measureful improvment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Bottom line is...believe what you want to..fact is,imho,it is worth the money spent..I ,for one, am a believer( I'm not gonna support a factual 40 hp gain...but it is substantial)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
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From: Shiloh Ohio
I have no idea on HP. I am not a big dyno fan unless it is for a tune. Just too expensive for me. I like to go to the strip to test my mods. I saw about .30 improvement in my qtr mile ET over stock and around 3 mph over stock in trap speed. You will never see a 40 RWHP on a dyno with a vararam or any other cold air intake. The criticisms usually are, may be prone to hydro lock, poor fit and finish, poor design, difficult to install, and flimsy inadequate filter. I like the fit and finish, I think the design is way ahead of the competition, hydro lock is a factor although it appears to be a remote possibility, and the filter is still up for debate. I agree it was hard for me to install. But other members who are more mechanically inclined have said the install was easy. I would recommend it with no reservations. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by shurite44
I agree it was hard for me to install. But other members who are more mechanically inclined have said the install was easy. I would recommend it with no reservations.
j/k
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
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From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by flynbya2
Dude, you should be able to torque those bolts with just your fingers...grasshopper! j/k
j/k
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Central NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'08-'10
I recently installed a vararam on my car, and feel there is a definite improvement in acceleration. 40hp seems a little optimistic, but it's a no brainer mod for the money. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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Originally Posted by 99C5Vert
here you go... his baseline was a blackwing.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...518&forum_id=1
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...518&forum_id=1
Thank you.
The first part of that thread is at http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...313&forum_id=1
Dyno results show very little gain with the Vararam. I don't know about 40hp, but the track gains, when the car is up to speed, are substantial. And thats where it counts About 0.15secs and 3mph over the Blackwing.
Sorry 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I am a believer that it does give you some extra power, heck anything is better than stock..but there is no way the Vararam gives you an extra 40HP 
if this were REALLY the case, everyone on here would be buying a 400 dollar vararam instead of spending 1k- 2k on a cam package. If you believe you get 40 extra HP with the Vararam, then I have a hood seal I can sell you that will give you 5 extra HP 
if this were REALLY the case, everyone on here would be buying a 400 dollar vararam instead of spending 1k- 2k on a cam package. If you believe you get 40 extra HP with the Vararam, then I have a hood seal I can sell you that will give you 5 extra HP
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
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From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
I've seen some here post dyno results of 10-12 RWHP but no way 40HP from any intake. 
However I would support it having more gains at higher speeds and definately in cold weather.
However I would support it having more gains at higher speeds and definately in cold weather.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
You need to read the fine print on claims like these. I think the 40 HP claim is with a particular filter and I am not sure if the claim it is RWHP as well, I doubt it is. In addition they may be calculating the increased HP based on gains in trap speed and times of a 1/4 mile run and not on a dyno, I am not sure. Their web site has a bunch of articles if you are interested in reading it all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Honestly, I could only see that if they were testing a car that was cammed up'w heads and exhaust...and being choked off by the stock intake. Then....maybe....I just don't know...but, i'd buy another one if I owned another vette in a heartbeat!!
