Vararam?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield CA
Vararam?
I've heard good things about the Vararam....
Seriously considering buying this one off ebay.
How tough is the install? Also, any sig. difference in power?
Pros & Cons???
Ebay item # - 8055499773
Seriously considering buying this one off ebay.
How tough is the install? Also, any sig. difference in power?
Pros & Cons???
Ebay item # - 8055499773
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: CO
Claims are that they add more HP than your standard hi flow air filter bacause of the "ram air" effect. Problem is, from a standstill there is not additional air moving into the intake than a standard hi flow filter. I am a little sceptical as to HP gains but certainly cannot hurt.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield CA
Originally Posted by everett36
Claims are that they add more HP than your standard hi flow air filter bacause of the "ram air" effect. Problem is, from a standstill there is not additional air moving into the intake than a standard hi flow filter. I am a little sceptical as to HP gains but certainly cannot hurt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
You'll get various opinions on this CIA like you will any other mod, but I went from a blackwing to the vararam and could definitly tell a difference in upper rpm pull. There have been tons of post on the performance side giving before and after test results and there is no disputing the gains because they are substanial! On a cool (40 degree) morning, it is BAD
If I bought another vette, it would be one of the earlier mods I would do.
As for as the install, there have been some claims that the install is difficult, but I installed my own and it was actually one of the easiest mods I've done.
If you decide to go with one, there is a forum member that has very detailed instructions
If I bought another vette, it would be one of the earlier mods I would do.As for as the install, there have been some claims that the install is difficult, but I installed my own and it was actually one of the easiest mods I've done.
If you decide to go with one, there is a forum member that has very detailed instructions
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: herminston oregon
vararam
Originally Posted by JayBDUB661
I've heard good things about the Vararam....
Seriously considering buying this one off ebay.
How tough is the install? Also, any sig. difference in power?
Pros & Cons???
Ebay item # - 8055499773
Seriously considering buying this one off ebay.
How tough is the install? Also, any sig. difference in power?
Pros & Cons???
Ebay item # - 8055499773
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 0
From: in ur mirror, 'bout to pass.. CA
If you're looking at Vararam, make sure it's their B2 system, and make DA$# SURE you aren't getting the piece 'o crap foam filter! V. offers a hi-flow grey or green filter with their B2 systems now. Supposedly higher flowing, and sturdier constructed than their first attempt. As for SOTP difference, top end rush is definately there.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 5
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by Speedway
They're junk. Buy something else. One of the poorest engineered products ever.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
... but that's just me!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Cordova TN
I installed one last week on an 02 Z06 and it was not that hard. You need a rachet with a 10mm, 7mm, and phillips screw driver. I did not use a lift, I just jacked the car up and put it on stands. The included instructions were good but works even better with the instructions off of madvette.com. The quality is not as bad as some has said. It actually looks prettey good. I have the B1 and I like it. You can tell the difference in power especially when you hit on the go. It is a good investment. The people that are downing it probably never had one on their vette
The people that are downing it probably never had one on their vette
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill, Florida Life is all about new beginnings;...TRY ONE!
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Originally Posted by Rob01C5
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't understand why so many people harp on the Vararam, particularly the build quality. It is not a piece of exotic furnature that sits in our living rooms. Who really cares how something that you can't really see really looks once it is installed anyways? I'm personally happy with mine. I knocked 3 tenth of a second off my 1/4 times after I got it. Now I'm running 12.8 and 12.9 at the track now. Considering I have done nothing else to my C5 (at this point), I'm pretty satisfied with it. The install wasn't too bad. My buddy had already done one on his own 97 prior, so maybe that helped. We did have the car on a lift. I think it would be a little tougher without one.
... but that's just me!
... but that's just me!
It is definately the best bang for the buck! Woke my car up.....!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,155
Likes: 1
From: The United States of TEXAS www.corvettemotorsportsinc.com
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11
I put mine on w/ the h/c install so I can't tell you the before or after. What I can tell you is the customer service, rocks . I broke the top latch while cleaning last month. CAlled and talked to PAtrick, her remembered from my original purchase 3 years ago and shipped me the top piece. NO CHARGE AND OVERNIGHTED.
CAN'T BEAT IT.
. I broke the top latch while cleaning last month. CAlled and talked to PAtrick, her remembered from my original purchase 3 years ago and shipped me the top piece. NO CHARGE AND OVERNIGHTED. CAN'T BEAT IT.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Speedway
They're junk. Buy something else. One of the poorest engineered products ever.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
I agree completely and think that there are other CAIs out there that are just as good and are much easier to install and have a much better stock filter!
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,728
Likes: 2,034
From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
I have one on my '03 Z06, but like others cannot tell you what SOTP gains it gave since I did long tubes/x-pipe/cats and a few other things before going for the dyno tune.
I will say that I thought the install was pretty easy (with a lift). I can't see it being too terrible without a lift, but it certainly went smooth with it.
As my dyno guy said, the vararam will not show much on the dyno since it is ram air, whereas other may show more since the filter size is better.
I will say that I thought the install was pretty easy (with a lift). I can't see it being too terrible without a lift, but it certainly went smooth with it.
As my dyno guy said, the vararam will not show much on the dyno since it is ram air, whereas other may show more since the filter size is better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: baton rouge la
They work.
It was one of my first mods.
They work even better in conjunction with other things like a freed up exhaust system.......might I recommend magnaflow.
Since I have an A4, ...3.42 gears added greatly to this combination.
It was one of my first mods.
They work even better in conjunction with other things like a freed up exhaust system.......might I recommend magnaflow.
Since I have an A4, ...3.42 gears added greatly to this combination.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,079
From: Guelph, Ontario
My trap speed went from 106.0 to 108.2 with the Vararam (under virtually identical density altitude both days at the strip), and so that works out to about a 17 horsepower increase. FWIW, the dyno showed no power increase after I had the Vararam installed, so the power you gain definitely comes from when you're moving and air gets forced through the system.
I don't understand why so many people think the Vararam is poorly built. The fit and finish on mine looks fine and the installation went smoothly without a hitch. Perhaps they send the good ones to us Canadians.
I don't understand why so many people think the Vararam is poorly built. The fit and finish on mine looks fine and the installation went smoothly without a hitch. Perhaps they send the good ones to us Canadians.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
Originally Posted by devnull
I have one on my '03 Z06, but like others cannot tell you what SOTP gains it gave since I did long tubes/x-pipe/cats and a few other things before going for the dyno tune.
I will say that I thought the install was pretty easy (with a lift). I can't see it being too terrible without a lift, but it certainly went smooth with it.
As my dyno guy said, the vararam will not show much on the dyno since it is ram air, whereas other may show more since the filter size is better.
I will say that I thought the install was pretty easy (with a lift). I can't see it being too terrible without a lift, but it certainly went smooth with it.
As my dyno guy said, the vararam will not show much on the dyno since it is ram air, whereas other may show more since the filter size is better.
On the topic...I'm hopeful that I've heard enough on the Vararam to still feel good about buying my friend's used VB2. He's going turbo on his 02 Z06 and I'm buying his VB2.
He reported that the fit is fine, and never had any issues with it. I've seen it on his car, and I can not tell of any cosmetic quality issues that pops right at you.
In fact, he will help me install it, and since both of our cars are 02 Z06's it should be a seamless install.
Goose
