I put the vara ram on my car and when I let off the gas (not hitting the brake) it feels like it is surging. We have checked the car and can not find anything visable that could be wrong. It keeps giving me the codes for bank 1 and 2 are running lean. Any suggestions?

 

I'd get it checked by a tuner soon. I've heard that the VaraRam (and a couple others) intake can make you go lean. In one way that is a good sign. It shows you ARE getting more air into the car. On the other hand you definitely do not want to go lean for long or you can burn your pistons. Go easy on it until you get it figured out.

 

How long have you had the intake on the car? Did you give the computer time to adjust? Try pulling your negative battery cable for a few minutes to clear the computer and then drive around throughout the week. Let the computer compensate for the added air. Don't hammer on it until it has adjusted, WOT and running lean is not good.

If that doesnt work, get a tune.

 

with DefenderC5. I got mine at Chevy Expo and the Manf. Rep was there and he told me to drive the car for about 50 miles with some long times at constant speed and no gunning it! Trip up 290 to Chappel Hill did the trick with mine.

 

Any vacuum leaks behind the MAF?

 

Hello,
I wouldn't think that putting any type of aftermarket filter housings should effect your car this way. The stock PCM (tune) and stock injectors should be well more than able to compensate for this forced air filter system. I've typically seen lean codes set for vacuum leaks on intake gaskets. But since you're getting codes for both banks that's improbable but not impossible. If this problem initially started after the filter housing install, look for things that could be related. Possibly a loose clamp or bellow between the MAF (MassAirFlow sensor) and the throttle body. This could be allowing uncalculated air flow (bypassing the MAF) into the engine, tricking the PCM into thinking the engine is lean on BOTH banks. I'm not familiar with what type of filters vara ram uses, but it probably uses the washable type. If it does, do not over oil the filters. Some people go overboard with this and residual oil winds up contaminating the MAF. If the MAF cannot efficiently read airflow then of course you would see problems like you described. These may not be the solutions to your problem but at least it gives you a direction to go in.

P.S. Well I'm a slow typer, it looks like DngrZne beat me to the point!

 

We have checked the car several times and have found no loose clamps or anything of that sort. So we are lost right now.

 

50vette03, come to the SHCC spring vette show this Sunday and get a look at some others with the vararam. Your's may not be seated completly. At the least your'll get some "expert" advice.

 

Problem Solved. "hopefully" I just got off the phone with Corvettes of Houston and they told me what it was. When the vara ram comes from the factory, they pre oil them a little to much. So the oil was getting inside the maf. They cleaned the filter and they said it works fine. So to anyone that gets a vara ram be sure you clean it and re oil it yourself. Thanks for everyones help.

 

So come to the show anyway!

 

I'll be there for sure..

 

somthin has got to be loose somewhere...everytime I've read a thread like this, the result ends up being loose clamp, or bad connection around the MAF, too much air is getting in. Just bolting on an aftermarket intake should not make the car run lean, the PCM can adjust for that, but not if things are loose or letting tons of extra air in. I guess it could be the computer needs to adjust, but I would be curious to see if that really is the case. The only other thing I can think of is extra oil on the MAF making it wack out.
Good luck

 

I just got the car back from the shop and they thought it was the oil from the filter getting on the maf. They drove it and said it was fine. But I drove it and it is doing the same thing. So now we are stuck again

 

I bought mine at COH but put it on myself because I wanted it done right the first time.

 

I still think you have a problem with your MAF. If it's not to much trouble try swapping a good known MAF off of a friends car onto yours.

Watch out though, I think the MAF housing size changed in 00 or 01.

If it was contaminated with oil, I know of no good (safe) way of cleaning it. Cleaning it with carburetor cleaner would be the only thing I would try to use, however spraying anything into it can't be good for it.

I'll almost bet though when you swap it out your problem will go away.

 

I will be at the Hooters car show this weekend. I have a white on black vert c5 50th annv. z06 wheels. If anyone has any ideas of what this might be and can point it out to me, please do. The problem is still there. Thanks Bobby

 

That makes sense. Mine occasionally surged at part throttle for a month or two, but finally smoothed out entirely.

 

Mine does (and always has done) the same thing with the VR. I think a tune is the only solution.

 

If you are 100% sure there are no air leaks ( this sounds like an air leak to me ) and the MAF screen is clean , do a Idle relearn GOOD LUCK

EDIT---- I have a Vararam no problems ever

 

Good that you got it solved. Never would have thought about that being the problem.