Is the Vararam filter crap??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 4
From: Shelby Township Michigan
Is the Vararam filter crap??
I've read that some people say the filter is crap and I'm wondering why? I'm looking at buying an intake system as my first mod but I don't want to have problems sucking in dirt and debris into the motor if the filter is a poor design or a poor fit. Would I be better off with something like a Vortex rammer?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Had the Vortex which is a very good CAI. Currently running the Vararam which IMHO is fine. I prefer the Vararam on the racetrack, it works as advertised 
Whatever you do DON'T ask KORRECK
Bob
Whatever you do DON'T ask KORRECK
Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I guess I fell into the "crap" camp. I was not happy with the filter delivered with the Vararam and installed a K&N instead. I also siliconed the K&N into place to ensure not leaks. I will know next winter how well this works as I have four used oil analyses with the Donaldson so I have a good baseline for air filtration. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Vararam/K&N combination.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
I guess I fell into the "crap" camp. I was not happy with the filter delivered with the Vararam and installed a K&N instead. I also siliconed the K&N into place to ensure not leaks. I will know next winter how well this works as I have four used oil analyses with the Donaldson so I have a good baseline for air filtration. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Vararam/K&N combination.
The foam filter is absolutely fine. It just doesn't look "technical" enough for some people.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 4
From: Shelby Township Michigan
Originally Posted by vettenuts
I guess I fell into the "crap" camp. I was not happy with the filter delivered with the Vararam and installed a K&N instead. I also siliconed the K&N into place to ensure not leaks. I will know next winter how well this works as I have four used oil analyses with the Donaldson so I have a good baseline for air filtration. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Vararam/K&N combination.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,419
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From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Originally Posted by 2000BSME
Silicon has the potential to destroy an o2 sensor if not fully dried before running the engine.
The foam filter is absolutely fine. It just doesn't look "technical" enough for some people.
The foam filter is absolutely fine. It just doesn't look "technical" enough for some people.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Originally Posted by 2000BSME
Silicon has the potential to destroy an o2 sensor if not fully dried before running the engine.
The foam filter is absolutely fine. It just doesn't look "technical" enough for some people.
The foam filter is absolutely fine. It just doesn't look "technical" enough for some people.
As for the foam filter, I would like to see the oil analysis that indicates its fine. Until I see that, my K&N will stay where it is. I have asked this many times on this forum, no one has data to back up the foam filter is good theory. But on the air filter forum I belong to, foam filters do not provide good filtering, and if they do they are restrictive. Since this one is not restrictive, my guess is the filtering is no good. Have not seen proof otherwise yet.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
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From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by 16Again
Whatever you do DON'T ask KORRECK
Bob
Bob
Let me tell you about the Vararam filter. You would be better off using your wifes panty hose. And the K&N is better but still not very good.
The Vararam is a poorly designed air breather. It's resrictive to say the least. I have seen enough posts to be convinced there is a performance gain. How can that be if it's a poorly designed breather? It has to be the filter. Just remove your stock filter and run around with no filter. You'll have the same performance and the same protection for your engine.
I have been doing a little testing of my own. My ET's would vary by .25 dependent on engine temp. I am running a Blackwing, which is a superb filter. I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment.
I installed a Big Mouth air damn and cut a window under the Blackwing. Last weekend my car ran the same numbers over and over. Engine temp didn't make any difference. You can gain the same performance and protect your engine at the same time.
Last edited by Korreck; May 11, 2005 at 09:17 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,500
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From: Mauldin sc
St. Jude Donor '05
Here is Korrecks set up and the great thing about the Big Mouth Performance air dam is it INcreases the Cold CFM and will work with any and enhance all ram air systems. Plus this set up allows us to adjust the opening of the Big Mouth and redirect the cold Air.
You can also see how we are closing the window for any water or debris from going up into your radiator.
Check it out at http://www.C4orceCorvette.com
You can also see how we are closing the window for any water or debris from going up into your radiator.
Check it out at http://www.C4orceCorvette.com
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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Originally Posted by Korreck
I have been doing a little testing of my own. My ET's would vary by .25 dependent on engine temp. I am running a Blackwing, which is a superb filter. I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment.
I installed a Big Mouth air damn and cut a window under the Blackwing. Last weekend my car ran the same numbers over and over. Engine temp didn't make any difference. You can gain the same performance and protect your engine at the same time.
Cold air???????
...."I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
Is this the same man who told us?:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...5&postcount=18
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...18&postcount=7
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...9&postcount=37
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&postcount=91
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1&postcount=25
This man has now cut a hole into his radiator shroud to allow in what??????
Cooler air. Or "cold air" when looked at in comparison to the air that he was getting form where?????? Under the hood of his car.
Why??? I'll let him tell you
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
IATs perhaps???Very interesting in that he told us before that "sucking air from the engine compartment" was not hurting performance.
....I installed a Big Mouth air damn and cut a window under the Blackwing....
....under the Blackwing
Installed a Big Mouth and cut a hole in the radiator shroud. The Big Mouth airdam now directs COOLER outside air STRAIGHT TO that Blackwing. Ingenius
C'mon. Tell us what you ran. Tell us how much of an improvement you got with your COLD AIR SYSTEM.
A cold air mod very similar to the one used by Dave68, except he uses a screen and does not have the Big Mouth Airdam.
And I wanna hear you say it........ COLD AIR WORKS
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 11, 2005 at 10:58 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
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Originally Posted by golfman2008
Here is Korrecks set up and the great thing about the Big Mouth Performance air dam is it INcreases the Cold CFM and will work with any and enhance all ram air systems. Plus this set up allows us to adjust the opening of the Big Mouth and redirect the cold Air.
You can also see how we are closing the window for any water or debris from going up into your radiator.
Check it out at http://www.C4orceCorvette.com
You can also see how we are closing the window for any water or debris from going up into your radiator.
Check it out at http://www.C4orceCorvette.com
...
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 1
From: Mauldin sc
St. Jude Donor '05
In Bob's case its not just cold Air , it's an increase in CFM that is directed into the radiator compartment by The Big Mouth Performance Air Dam. Then By opening the radiator shrowed you are allowing the Blackwing a 360 degree suction , but because it creates a low pressure it sucks up all the colder ambient Air that is directed by The BMAD. Intern Bob is getting more consistent runs. We all know that denser air carry's more molecules that convert into higher HP.
Last edited by golfman2008; May 11, 2005 at 11:04 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by golfman2008
In Bob's case its not just cold Air , it's an increase in CFM that is directed into the radiator compartment by The Big Mouth Performance Air Dam. Then By opening the radiator showed you are allowing the Blackwing a 360 degree suction , but because it creates a low pressure it sucks up all the colder ambient Air that is directed by The BMAD. Intern Bob is getting more consistent runs. We all know that denser air carry's more molecules that convert into higher HP.
You are preaching to the choir my man
You are merely stating what we were trying to tell Bob all along.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 11, 2005 at 11:05 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by EB20003
What? What? What? What?
Cold air???????
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
say that again:
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
one more time
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
Is this the same man who told us?:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...5&postcount=18
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...18&postcount=7
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...9&postcount=37
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&postcount=91
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1&postcount=25
This man has now cut a hole into his radiator shroud to allow in what??????
Cooler air.
Why??? I'll let him tell you
Will miracles ever cease???? I wonder just how he determined that.
Very interesting in that he told us before that "sucking air from the engine compartment" was not hurting performance.
Installed a Big Mouth and cut a hole in the radiator shroud. The Big Mouth airdam now directs COOLER outside air STRAIGHT TO that Blackwing.
C'mon. Tell us what you ran. Tell us how much of an improvement you got with your COLD AIR SYSTEM.
And I wanna hear you say it........ COLD AIR WORKS
Cold air???????
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
say that again:
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
one more time
"I determined that it was sucking too much air from the engine compartment."
Is this the same man who told us?:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...5&postcount=18
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...18&postcount=7
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...9&postcount=37
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&postcount=91
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1&postcount=25
This man has now cut a hole into his radiator shroud to allow in what??????
Cooler air.
Why??? I'll let him tell you
Will miracles ever cease???? I wonder just how he determined that.
Very interesting in that he told us before that "sucking air from the engine compartment" was not hurting performance.
Installed a Big Mouth and cut a hole in the radiator shroud. The Big Mouth airdam now directs COOLER outside air STRAIGHT TO that Blackwing.
C'mon. Tell us what you ran. Tell us how much of an improvement you got with your COLD AIR SYSTEM.
And I wanna hear you say it........ COLD AIR WORKS
You spend way too much time watching me.Now let me correct your errors. I am not getting 'cold air'. I'm getting what appears to be more ambient air vs hotter air from my engine compartment.
I never said you wouldn't lose performance sucking warm engine compartment air.
How did I determine that? I was not looking for any gains, just a solution to my inconsistansy problems related to engine temp. The solution was found by experimenting with my car.
As I've stated before, there is no such thing as cold air or ram air.
This would be a good change for you to make. And by the way, this is something I did myself. You do not need a Vararam and that junk filter on your car. Big Mouth is about $140. Window in the shroud is free.
I'm going to call it a night. Got to wash that Vette tomorrow. Washed the engine today. One of these days I'll get the Zaino out of the box.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by Korreck
EB, get a life. You spend way too much time watching me.
Now let me correct your errors. I am not getting 'cold air'. I'm getting what appears to be more ambient air vs hotter air from my engine compartment.
You spend way too much time watching me.Now let me correct your errors. I am not getting 'cold air'. I'm getting what appears to be more ambient air vs hotter air from my engine compartment.
Not ice cold, mind you. But certainly "colder" than what you were getting. So indeed you now have a modified "colder" air intake system. Congratulations
I never said you wouldn't lose performance sucking warm engine compartment air.
How did I determine that? I was not looking for any gains, just a solution to my inconsistansy problems related to engine temp. The solution was found by experimenting with my car.
As I've stated before, there is no such thing as cold air or ram air.
This would be a good change for you to make. And by the way, this is something I did myself. You do not need a Vararam and that junk filter on your car. Big Mouth is about $140. Window in the shroud is free.
I'm going to call it a night. Got to wash that Vette tomorrow. Washed the engine today. One of these days I'll get the Zaino out of the box.
Bob, you are one funny guy.
On the one hand, I am glad to see that you are getting performance improvement, but on the other, it feels good to say......... I TOLD YOU SO
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; May 11, 2005 at 11:18 PM.