Had mine put on last night.The guy that installed it for me had to drill the holes out to make it work and I think there is several things they could of done better.I think I'm going to be happy with it.You can here it sucking air at idle and sounds like it is sucking alot more air when you get on it.Didn't get to drive it much but it seemed to rev faster and feel faster to me.

 

I thought most people on here found that it doesn't show any gain in rwhp on a dyno?

 

I just assumed (without him posting his sheets) that he had the VR installed and his tune tweaked before run # 2.

I bought a very early VR 1B. The unit was poorly constructed, and just did not look like something I wanted to bolt into the engine bay of my Z06.

I sold the unit to MeanGreen 2k (whatever happened to Mark anyway?).

He tried to install it on his vert and it just would not fit.

He called the folks at VaraRam and they instantly sent him a complete new unit, telling him that early ones (mine was an early one) had issues.

I cannot say anthing but good about the company and the customer service you will get from them.

I never have regretted buying a (much more expensive) Halltech TRAP in carbon fiber. Now THAT looks like it belongs under the hood of a 400+ hp supercar!

Not a VR hater here, but I am entitled to my opinion.

Had it to do all over again? Probably just do the zip tie mod and have it tuned.

YMMV.

best regards -

mqqn

 

You will gain over any static type of system because they do not build any manifold pressure. The pressure drop seen on C-5's varies depending on the year and gear you are in under laod. There is allways the obvious cold air aspect but its the Manifold pressure that is normaly lost that you are after. When the unit is first installed ,it will take the ECU some time to relearn the added airflow because it will very with speed. The car will get faster the more you drive it.

I hope this answers your questions, but if you need more specific info just send us an Email on your car ( yr,6sp or a4, modified or stock etc..)and we can give you more specific info. We have over 150 documented combinations from stockers to the biggiest stroker motored cars so chancies are we will have what you need to know to make the proper decision for any part you want to buy.

Best Regards VR Tech

 

Im glad to have a vararam rep on here as well as many other product reps to help answer our questions!

 

Ive used the vararam system for some time now.
It's used in conjunction with a lower rpm band and a less restrictive exhaust system.
The combination of the vararam, 3.42 gears, and freed up exhaust is mind blowing to say the least.
An LS1 edit tune optimized this combination.

When used in reference to the above, I doubt many here would go back to a K&N.
It must be experienced to be believed.
The car is wicked fast for a basically stock vette.

I don't attribute all of this capability to vararam, but it is most definetly a key component in my particular setup.
In other words , after having experienced what ive experienced, I would not consider changing to any other performance intake system.

Oh , Im not affiliated in any way with Vararam Industries, and this is not a plug for the company, but I doubt there's a better system for the c5 corvette.
It serves its intended purpose very well.

 

can anyone tell me if the vararam would be easier to install if you removed the front bumper cover?
i ask because i just got the vararam and i need to change the bumper cover anyway.
jrodd

 

I am extremely pleased with the VaraRam. Not one problem with it. Yes, it is a flimsy piece of plastic but who gives a chit? The thing works and I had absolutely no problem with the VaraRam ever. The only problem I had was my car went faster at the track. I even ran the original foam filter. There were NO leaks, NO junk on my t-body, and NO water penetration EVER. I think anyone having these problems are just installing it wrong and I'm not sure how that could even be the case because it is an easy install. I just sold mine last week because I have a nice shiny new intercooler that takes up that space now. The fact is, the VaraRam will out perform any other CAI in the market on the track. I was skeptical of the numbers when I purchased it but it delivered all it said it would to me. My time slips talk for themselves.

Oh yea, VaraRam has some of the best customer service in the market, period. I was able to go by the owner's house on a week night and pick up a part that I did not have. He gave it to me for free and doesn't know me at all until that night. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a VaraRam again.

 

Well said!

 

I wouldn't downplay the cold air part of the Vararam either (over any other filter that compromise outside air with underhood air. I just ordered one to replace my Blackwing. The Blackwing is a great filter but here is the problem - I went drag racing Saturday and the outside air temperature was 50 degrees as measured on my A/C display. I scanned/logged the entire trip from Nashville to Bowling Green with HP Tuners and the inlet air temperature stayed within 4 degrees of the outside temperature except when I came to a stop. Then the IAT rose very quickly and once it does - it takes at least a mile to come back down. This was because the Blackwing was sucking engine air at a stop or in traffic. So while I'm at the track in the staging lanes, my IAT goes to around 120 with an outside air temperature of 50. At the end of the quarter mile, it did come down to around 80 but that was too little too late. I assume that the Vararam might heat soak some but in general, it will always suck outside air and there is a huge difference in the temperature.

I demonstrated this exact same thing on my previous WS6 Trans Am. While sitting in my driveway idling the inlet air temperature would rise easily and quickly to 220 on an 80 degree day. I went to Auto Zone and bought a 10 foot roll of that rubber insulation that goes aound doors and trunks and sealed the WS6 air box to the hood. With this simple mod, the results were dramatic since the engine was then pulling all of the air from the outside.

I did buy the Icebox for the Blackwing but when I saw what it looked like - I would never put that on my car. It does not seal the Blackwing off from all of the engine air but it did work to keep the temperatures a lot closer to ambient in my non-scientific side by side test using HP Tuners to watch the IAT.

I don't know anything about the Vortex or others, only the Blackwing, Vararam and Honker. I looked at the Callaway Honker and would have bought it over the Vararam because it seems to be a real quality piece. The problem with the Honker was that it relocates the MAF to just before the throttle body which is a problem for me and my future nitrous plans.

 

I am another happy Vararam owner/user. I am extremely happy with the results I've achieved.
Even if the product looks a little crappy (I didn't think the quality was as bad as some have said) who really gives a damn. It's not a piece of furniture sitting in our living rooms. I don't know about some people, but I have no plans on staring at what I can see of it on the car. I'm too busy enjoying driving the car. To me the results of what I spend my money on is the most important thing. And the results speak for themselves. A great bang-for-the-buck mod in my opinion.