VaraRam induction install problems - HELP Please!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Willie Nelson Country TX
VaraRam induction install problems - HELP Please!
I am installing a new VaraRam induction system in my '02 Z06. I was very disapointed when I received a kit that had holes in the front ducts for parking lights - maybe that's just the way they come? Then the final blow - there is no way the stock air dam is going back into it's original position - the VaraRam air cleaner assy. is as far forward as it will go and if I force the air dam half assed into position the VaraRam unit puts a big bulge inward on the air dam - probably 5" min. Causes the outer edges to bow outward and the lower end is bowed big time - think if I put the screws back in the lower valance it would bow it down.
Something's wrong here or I'm missing something - Vararam where I bought it is in Pasadena, TX and I imagine probably flooded by Ike so I'm dead in the water too - I just won't bolt something back together that has to be forced to fit - or as on OJ's case "if it doesn't fit you must quit".
Anybody out there have any ideas please!!!!!
Something's wrong here or I'm missing something - Vararam where I bought it is in Pasadena, TX and I imagine probably flooded by Ike so I'm dead in the water too - I just won't bolt something back together that has to be forced to fit - or as on OJ's case "if it doesn't fit you must quit".
Anybody out there have any ideas please!!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
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From: Des Plaines Il
Vararam
Had trouble with mine to and ended up not connecting the air intake to the front bumper. You really need alot of patience. I also added a B-Cool radiator at the same time. Its alot thicker than stock, so I was looking for room. It was a wrestling contest but I did win! There is really not alot of advice I can forward except patience and keep everything loose until the end. Oh, one other thing I have a Magna-Charger on top with a different intake tube which also reduced the room needed. So.........it can be done. Good-Luck!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
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bojangles..I also have an 02' C5 vette with the same intake, tb and stock air bridge and I left everything loose and made sure everything fit correctly before I tightened everything up. It should fit nice and snug but not to the point like you're saying. Once it's together you're gonna love it. Hope this helps knowing that someone has the same deal. Give me a holler if you need anything.
Tim
Tim
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I followed CajunDude's install instructions.
Everything fit perfectly
http://www.cajundude.com/vararam.htm
Yes the kits come with the holes for the factory foglights...
Everything fit perfectly
http://www.cajundude.com/vararam.htm
Yes the kits come with the holes for the factory foglights...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
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From: Willie Nelson Country TX
Well I did leave everything loose till I bolted the 2 tubes together and Installed the filter & housing. I don't see where I can gain any more room as the tubes now are so far forward that they are actually touching the front bumper material (looks like styrofoam). Had to use 2 rubber spacers on the bottom & none @ the top inboard screws (at the screen opening) - left these loose also till I had the bridge matched up and assembled - then tightened the front bolts. I must be missing something because it all lines up including the stock snorkel over the radiator support (not installed)????? I would think C5s and Zs would have the same dimensions in this area.
Oh, I did use CajunDude's instructions - head and shoulders better than the factory.
Oh, I did use CajunDude's instructions - head and shoulders better than the factory.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Be patient and loosen everything up until it fits. I agree it was Bi-itch but we made her come together,,,,it took two of us,,,,if you post pics maybe we could help more,,,,,some bridges and smooth couplers just won't work!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
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From: Staten Island NY
Did you remove the bolts with the rubber gromets (T-30 torx) from the inside of the front frame rail?
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...QcwBU?start=12
a few pictures from my vararam install
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...QcwBU?start=12
a few pictures from my vararam install
Last edited by warren s; Sep 13, 2008 at 10:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
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From: Willie Nelson Country TX
It's not the bridge or coupler - the VR filter box fills the area between the radiator and front nose of the body (just forward of the front hood opening line) so completely that it doesn't leave nearly enough room for the air dam - from it's present location the MAS & bridge would be in great alignment & correct distance. It all ligns up great - it's like the filter box is about 5" too wide - yeah I could have used an extra hand too. Sorry no photos now - may take some tomorrow & post - Thanks for all the help attempts but the restricted area is between the VR filter box & radiator & can't move filter farther forward to gain a little room - hits the front bumper lining (the material that looks like styrofoam).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
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From: Willie Nelson Country TX
Thanks Warren
Did you remove the bolts with the rubber gromets (T-30 torx) from the inside of the front frame rail?
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...QcwBU?start=12
a few pictures from my vararam install
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...QcwBU?start=12
a few pictures from my vararam install
Thanks for the response
Last edited by bojangles5169; Sep 13, 2008 at 11:25 PM. Reason: forgot something
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
YES - Please post some pics - the air box didnt fit in my 99 either and the radiator shroud would not go in - I had to remove the bushings that held the stock air box in before it fit.It still bows the shroud in the center but not much. I was very surprised how much of a differance removing those small parts made.
(Photo from Cajundudes website)
Last edited by warren s; Sep 14, 2008 at 09:31 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Did you silicone the filter in?
Did you remove the bolts with the rubber gromets (T-30 torx) from the inside of the front frame rail?
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...QcwBU?start=12
a few pictures from my vararam install
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...QcwBU?start=12
a few pictures from my vararam install
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
Just piece of mind, the end gaps looked like they didnt seal to well but it was really just my way of making sure it was perfect.
I examined the filter box after 1000 miles and it was perferctally clean. No debris got in the filter box or between the filter and the MAF.
I examined the filter box after 1000 miles and it was perferctally clean. No debris got in the filter box or between the filter and the MAF.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
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From: Willie Nelson Country TX
I wish the photos were more explicit. I did notice the 2 torx screws in the front framework cross member that each tube will hit when I lift up on the VR assy, These will be removed but will not gain me much (any will help). In one of the pictures I held the VR assy as far up as it would go and placed a 1x2 between it and the A/C as a reference as to just how tight it is. I think if I removed the VR filter box I could install the air dam but that's just moving the problem. At this point I have the 3 bolts on each side of the front air screens tightened - I see no point in further alignment there because they come together well and all else fits including the alignment of the MAS and stock snorkel up to the engine. ALSO - when you bow the air dam in toward the radiator the 2 side nylon fasteners snap out of the side frame mounting holes. Y'all are great for trying to help - this ain't my first rodeo but guess I expect aftermarket stuff to fit better - here's the pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...pictureid=3928
You know - after looking at my own pictures - wonder if I could gain some by installing the VR air box w/the decal down or did they decal it on the wrong side? - Also - has anybody ever (southern engineered) a support to hold this thing up so that the air dam ain't the main support?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/albu...pictureid=3928
You know - after looking at my own pictures - wonder if I could gain some by installing the VR air box w/the decal down or did they decal it on the wrong side? - Also - has anybody ever (southern engineered) a support to hold this thing up so that the air dam ain't the main support?
Last edited by bojangles5169; Sep 14, 2008 at 03:53 PM. Reason: Another thought
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,088
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From: Pennsylvania
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
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From: Willie Nelson Country TX
Spacers
Yep - 2 on the bottom & none on the top (both sides). After all this and some of the other member's comments it had better be worth it. My arms are scratched so bad it looks like I was trying to make love to a mountain lion!!! If I had it to do over again I'd choose another brand - might still do that - this is horse s--t!
Last edited by bojangles5169; Sep 14, 2008 at 06:09 PM.