Vararam or Blackwing?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Lutz Florida
Vararam or Blackwing?
I currently have a Vararam on my '03 coupe and I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread, however, I have read that alot of you guys have switched over to the Blackwing. I'm curious why those of you that had a Vararam made the switch to the Blackwing? Is it really that much better? 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Lutz Florida
Ok, I didn't write that correctly...I have read that a few guys say that the Blackwing is a better setup than the Vararam. I was curious as to how many made the switch over from the Vararam to the Blackwing and have they noticed anything different...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I switched from the BW to the Vararam on my MN6 and it is definitely a noticeable improvement. I installed a BW on the wife's A4 coupe last summer only because it was easier to install/maintain. I wasn't looking for every last bit of power on her setup - just a healthy boost in intake flow and the BW delivers there. If I were to choose top performer of the two it would be Vararam, no contest.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
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From: Staten Island NY
The Vararam provides more performance on the track and the time slips prove it, just go to any Corvette racing event.
The VR is more complex, has some build quaility issues and is much more involved to install. Some are fearfull of water getting into the engine in very rare cases.
The Blackwing is Ok, is easy to install and works well, just not as good. (Also doesnt cost that much less)
The VR is more complex, has some build quaility issues and is much more involved to install. Some are fearfull of water getting into the engine in very rare cases.
The Blackwing is Ok, is easy to install and works well, just not as good. (Also doesnt cost that much less)
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I had the Blackwing on mine and it performed very well for me. But everything I have read indicates the Vararam is the better of the two for performance gains.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Jax Florida
Do you have apples-to-apples timeslips to post? I currently have a BW and the car runs smooth as eggs. I'd find it hard to believe that a VR will provide anything noticable, but I am open to suggestions.
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From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Melting Slicks
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The VR is the only true ram air cold air intake made. Most of the others use air from the radiator cavity. You have much less pressure using air from there because the radiator is a big hole creating much less pressure. Also sucking air from the radiator and ac condenser cavity can't be as cool as air sucked from the foglight holes. Not to mention air sucked up from the hot asphalt won't be as cool.
So the choice is fresh cool pressurized air or heated less pressurized air.
So the choice is fresh cool pressurized air or heated less pressurized air.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
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From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
The VR is the only true ram air cold air intake made. Most of the others use air from the radiator cavity. You have much less pressure using air from there because the radiator is a big hole creating much less pressure. Also sucking air from the radiator and ac condenser cavity can't be as cool as air sucked from the foglight holes. Not to mention air sucked up from the hot asphalt won't be as cool.
So the choice is fresh cool pressurized air or heated less pressurized air.
So the choice is fresh cool pressurized air or heated less pressurized air.
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The VR is the only true ram air cold air intake made. Most of the others use air from the radiator cavity. You have much less pressure using air from there because the radiator is a big hole creating much less pressure. Also sucking air from the radiator and ac condenser cavity can't be as cool as air sucked from the foglight holes. Not to mention air sucked up from the hot asphalt won't be as cool.
So the choice is fresh cool pressurized air or heated less pressurized air.
So the choice is fresh cool pressurized air or heated less pressurized air.
This setup definately gives a "seat of the pants" improvement over stock.
