Vararam question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Navarre Florida
Vararam question
First of all thank you all who responded to may thread about my tough experience with CAI, and Predator. I have decided to,start all over! I' am sending my predator back (they have 30 day satisfaction deal)
and instead I am getting Vararam and later on long tubes and cats.
Now I have one concern about Vararam I heard about water getting into the engine and causing all kinds of issues, and I'm not sure what to make of that. My a4 01 vert is my daily driver and also here in FL we get a lot of raining and humidity. will it be a problem? should I be concerned about water in the engine potential problems?
and instead I am getting Vararam and later on long tubes and cats.
Now I have one concern about Vararam I heard about water getting into the engine and causing all kinds of issues, and I'm not sure what to make of that. My a4 01 vert is my daily driver and also here in FL we get a lot of raining and humidity. will it be a problem? should I be concerned about water in the engine potential problems?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca
I researched this topic before I put mine on and your going to get many point of views. I didn't have a problem with water getting in, but then I only got caught in the rain once when I was over at the coast. What bothered me most was putting it in. It was not an easy job and unless your driving at near freeway speeds, I couldn't tell much difference in performance. I sold it and went back to the stock set up just before I had to get the car smogged. Just my 2 cents. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
I have been caught in several torrential downpours after I installed my vararam. NEVER had an issue. Remember, the filter will help block the water. Just do not drive thru standing water especially if you are not sure how deep it is.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 176
Likes: 2
From: Abilene Texas
Yes, the water issue is a concern. I installed a VR on my car and it is my DD. No regrets about installing it, it does what it's suppose to do--the faster you go, the more air is drawn in, and the more hp generated. Obviously, from dead start up to a conservative speed you're not going to notice a difference. I've yet to have a problem with water, but I'm always concerned. I come to almost a complete stop and slowly roll through standing water, but then that creates another problem...I'm always fearful the car behind me is going to nail me. I'm not sure if driving in typical rainfall will create an issue (suck rain in along with the air) though I always wonder, but definitely you don't want to wade through deep water. But, I wouldn't recommend wading through deep water in any car, not matter what kind of CAI you have. As a note, there is a filter in place so you're not totally open to the engine. So, driving in typical rainfall, I'm hopeful that the filter will run interference. But, I'm by far not an expert, just a somewhat experienced user.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
You will be very happy with the Vararam. Unless you drive through a big standing puddle of water, you will be fine...and by standing puddle I mean deep. I've hit plenty of puddels and never had an issue.
Have you thought about putting the Z06 grill screens on? I put those on beecause I like the look, but also cuz it can help keep a little of the water out if you are worried about that.
You would have to submerge the nose of the car in water to suck up water into the intake.. I would not drive my regular daily driver through that deep .
Have you thought about putting the Z06 grill screens on? I put those on beecause I like the look, but also cuz it can help keep a little of the water out if you are worried about that.
You would have to submerge the nose of the car in water to suck up water into the intake.. I would not drive my regular daily driver through that deep .
Last edited by FrankTank; Apr 17, 2010 at 10:24 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
Just stay out of 8" or deeper puddles and you will be fine. I just put mine on in January and all I can say is wow. Not much difference 50 and below but once you get above 50 look out The throttle response is awesome and the car pulls so smooth. I was driving 60mph into a 30 mile per hour headwind and the car responded like it was a tailwind. The engine runs in the 165 degree range with the 160 thermostat (mail tune). If I had to do it again I would in a heartbeat. My blackwing was great but above 50 I can feel a smoother pull then before.
The throttle response is awesome and the car pulls so smooth. I was driving 60mph into a 30 mile per hour headwind and the car responded like it was a tailwind. The engine runs in the 165 degree range with the 160 thermostat (mail tune). If I had to do it again I would in a heartbeat. My blackwing was great but above 50 I can feel a smoother pull then before.
Last edited by fireman591; Apr 17, 2010 at 09:45 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
drove thru blinding rainstorms and steady rain on trip for 4 days in 06 with VR back east and zero problems, standing water that covers inlets will cause a problem or could cause a problem, avoid deep puddles and no problems should ever be encountered.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
Been raining all day and I've been out flying at various speeds. Just remember it's a car and not a submarine and you'll be fine. If rain stories are what you want I drove it to work and back for 4 days during a little storm called Faye a couple years back. A little water down the intake is actually good for decarboning the heads and valves.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 0
From: upstate N.Y.
First of all thank you all who responded to may thread about my tough experience with CAI, and Predator. I have decided to,start all over! I' am sending my predator back (they have 30 day satisfaction deal)
and instead I am getting Vararam and later on long tubes and cats.
Now I have one concern about Vararam I heard about water getting into the engine and causing all kinds of issues, and I'm not sure what to make of that. My a4 01 vert is my daily driver and also here in FL we get a lot of raining and humidity. will it be a problem? should I be concerned about water in the engine potential problems?
and instead I am getting Vararam and later on long tubes and cats.
Now I have one concern about Vararam I heard about water getting into the engine and causing all kinds of issues, and I'm not sure what to make of that. My a4 01 vert is my daily driver and also here in FL we get a lot of raining and humidity. will it be a problem? should I be concerned about water in the engine potential problems?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville , NC
I installed a Vararam and tuned it with a Predator. Took me a few days with LTFT and getting my A4 dialed in, but the car drives like it should have from the factory. I went this route as I am going to pull the trigger on a SC. Till then I am more than pleased with this setup. Bottom line if you can get to a tuner in your area, you will get the best bang for the buck, but you CAN get some decent results with a hand held and Vararam.
