Vararam quality is bad--
08-19-2010, 12:03 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
I've heard the Vararam does its job but has spotty quality. That has scared me away. I'm trying to find a Callaway Honker for my '99 coupe but EVERYONE seems to be back ordered on it.
08-19-2010, 12:56 PM
#23
Race Director
08-19-2010, 01:06 PM
#24
Supporting Vendor
(Rivets)
The Front of the B2 system is designed to breakaway in a heavy impact.
The rivets location forces the system to breakaway under the vehicle under heavy impact VS going up through the hood.
This is why its Riveted on the top side only using the GM OEM air deflectors which are also impact resistant.
We have had some customers who were unfortunate enough to have tested this over the yrs and each time the system broke away as it was designed to do.
The B-2 system is a labor intensive product, which requires intensive amount of hand labor to produce.
Unlike some of our other systems which are Rotary molded etc.. which do not require this same type of labor.
The Front of the B2 system is designed to breakaway in a heavy impact.
The rivets location forces the system to breakaway under the vehicle under heavy impact VS going up through the hood.
This is why its Riveted on the top side only using the GM OEM air deflectors which are also impact resistant.
We have had some customers who were unfortunate enough to have tested this over the yrs and each time the system broke away as it was designed to do.
The B-2 system is a labor intensive product, which requires intensive amount of hand labor to produce.
Unlike some of our other systems which are Rotary molded etc.. which do not require this same type of labor.
08-19-2010, 01:10 PM
#25
Race Director
One person posted pictures of their VR awhile back and that is when I was 100% settled on never getting one. To me performance includes integrity and peace of mind. This system lacks both completely IMO. Halltech for me when I upgrade.
-Alex
-Alex
08-19-2010, 01:46 PM
#26
Team Owner
(Rivets)
The Front of the B2 system is designed to breakaway in a heavy impact.
The rivets location forces the system to breakaway under the vehicle under heavy impact VS going up through the hood.
This is why its Riveted on the top side only using the GM OEM air deflectors which are also impact resistant.
We have had some customers who were unfortunate enough to have tested this over the yrs and each time the system broke away as it was designed to do.
The B-2 system is a labor intensive product, which requires intensive amount of hand labor to produce.
Unlike some of our other systems which are Rotary molded etc.. which do not require this same type of labor.
The Front of the B2 system is designed to breakaway in a heavy impact.
The rivets location forces the system to breakaway under the vehicle under heavy impact VS going up through the hood.
This is why its Riveted on the top side only using the GM OEM air deflectors which are also impact resistant.
We have had some customers who were unfortunate enough to have tested this over the yrs and each time the system broke away as it was designed to do.
The B-2 system is a labor intensive product, which requires intensive amount of hand labor to produce.
Unlike some of our other systems which are Rotary molded etc.. which do not require this same type of labor.
IMO, it would be in Vararam's best interest to invest in a mold to guarantee a perfect fit install after install, not to mention reduce production costs. Otherwise one runs the risk of getting one that was "built on a Friday".
Last edited by MagRedConv; 08-19-2010 at 01:49 PM.
08-19-2010, 02:57 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
$449 to forum members.
08-19-2010, 05:17 PM
#28
Safety Car
08-19-2010, 05:17 PM
#29
Race Director
08-19-2010, 06:40 PM
#30
Drifting
08-19-2010, 06:49 PM
#31
Drifting
(Rivets)
The Front of the B2 system is designed to breakaway in a heavy impact.
The rivets location forces the system to breakaway under the vehicle under heavy impact VS going up through the hood.
This is why its Riveted on the top side only using the GM OEM air deflectors which are also impact resistant.
We have had some customers who were unfortunate enough to have tested this over the yrs and each time the system broke away as it was designed to do.
The B-2 system is a labor intensive product, which requires intensive amount of hand labor to produce.
Unlike some of our other systems which are Rotary molded etc.. which do not require this same type of labor.
The Front of the B2 system is designed to breakaway in a heavy impact.
The rivets location forces the system to breakaway under the vehicle under heavy impact VS going up through the hood.
This is why its Riveted on the top side only using the GM OEM air deflectors which are also impact resistant.
We have had some customers who were unfortunate enough to have tested this over the yrs and each time the system broke away as it was designed to do.
The B-2 system is a labor intensive product, which requires intensive amount of hand labor to produce.
Unlike some of our other systems which are Rotary molded etc.. which do not require this same type of labor.
08-19-2010, 07:24 PM
#33
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles California
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Uhhhhhh, this kinda sounds like B.S., if you hit something hard enough to force the CAI up through the hood you'd have a whole lot more to worry about than replacing the hood, I would think. Oh well, I've put different CAIs on several rigs of mine and didn't notice enough difference to justify the expense. I kept thinking each one would make a diffrence, but....... I think I'll leave mine alone and buy a case of Jack.
They literally bolt directly up to the bumper fascia and there isn't much wiggle room between the vararam and the intake bridge. A 20MPH hit will push the vararam up enough to push it through when normally a 20MPH hit wouldn't touch the hood... Take my word on it. After I installed the unit, I understood why it was designed they way it is. Keep in mind that there's about a foot of room between where the ducts come together and the bumper fascia. So a front end impact that would only hurt the bumper could also hurt the hood in an accident.
In addition, more damage could be done than just the hood-hole if the unit didn't break apart with a front-end impact. The bumper fascia is obviously going to get destroyed either way, but the radiator shroud and everything under it could be damaged too because of the angle that the ducts are at and how they are held up by the bumper fascia.
08-19-2010, 07:53 PM
#34
Safety Car
Member Since: Jun 2006
Location: Wildomar CA
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I have to comment here because I have been modifying cars going on ten years now. Ranging from Firebirds to trucks and the Vararam for the money is the best CAI out there. It has way more going on than a stupid plastic air cover. The other units have a higher "quality" because they are generally one piece and suck air from an already established location under the shroud. The Vararam has to completely reroute the entire track. If you don't like the rivets get a z06 screen or paint them black. These posts are silly comparing apples to oranges. I have installed two now and 100% of the install sealing comes down to intstaller. There are also three different generations. Steve is hands down the best vendor I have EVER worked with. What is it you people want for 250? I have almost $5000 in mods to my Z06 and the vararam is by far the best/affordable mod. I really wonder what it is you think 250 buys. 
OK RANT OVER.
OK RANT OVER.
08-19-2010, 08:13 PM
#35
Safety Car
08-19-2010, 09:06 PM
#36
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2009
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I have to comment here because I have been modifying cars going on ten years now. Ranging from Firebirds to trucks and the Vararam for the money is the best CAI out there. It has way more going on than a stupid plastic air cover. The other units have a higher "quality" because they are generally one piece and suck air from an already established location under the shroud. The Vararam has to completely reroute the entire track. If you don't like the rivets get a z06 screen or paint them black. These posts are silly comparing apples to oranges. I have installed two now and 100% of the install sealing comes down to intstaller. There are also three different generations. Steve is hands down the best vendor I have EVER worked with. What is it you people want for 250? I have almost $5000 in mods to my Z06 and the vararam is by far the best/affordable mod. I really wonder what it is you think 250 buys.
OK RANT OVER.
OK RANT OVER.
I got the most bang for the buck with my Vararam which I bought used for $230 shipped when it was still way above $250 new.
Regardless of it's appearance, once installed it's solid.
The difference between a Vararam over the Vortex Rammer I had before was incredible. Going up against my friends 97 Procharged C5 6-speed was - to say the least - embarrassing to him. My nearly bone stock Z06 with a Vararam and short shifter stayed door to door with his car. He had a passenger, but even still, the Vararam really DOES work. If I had the choice to do it again, I would.
08-19-2010, 09:26 PM
#37
Burning Brakes
08-19-2010, 09:55 PM
#38
Safety Car
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Location: Wildomar CA
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HEY EVERYONE GUESS WHAT?
I just bought a GUCCI wallet because the build quality is soooo much better. Yeah I mean I could have gone Calvin Klein but I mean come on the Gucci is just WAY BETTER quality, yeah it cost twice as much and is made from the leather off the same cow, assembled by the same 12 year old Korean workers, but it is much better because at twice as much $$$ it has much better build quality.
Anyone that thinks their $500 intake is better than my $250 intake is more than welcome to put there money where their mouth is at the local strip. If you want something pretty that doesn't work go buy a $34 metal intake off ebay, why spend $500, or better yet go buy another car like a Lexus and get the hell off a Corvette forum.
BTW I'd strap a dead Deer to the hood of my car if it had proven results to make my car go faster...
Rant x2 over
I just bought a GUCCI wallet because the build quality is soooo much better. Yeah I mean I could have gone Calvin Klein but I mean come on the Gucci is just WAY BETTER quality, yeah it cost twice as much and is made from the leather off the same cow, assembled by the same 12 year old Korean workers, but it is much better because at twice as much $$$ it has much better build quality.
Anyone that thinks their $500 intake is better than my $250 intake is more than welcome to put there money where their mouth is at the local strip. If you want something pretty that doesn't work go buy a $34 metal intake off ebay, why spend $500, or better yet go buy another car like a Lexus and get the hell off a Corvette forum.
BTW I'd strap a dead Deer to the hood of my car if it had proven results to make my car go faster...
Rant x2 over
08-20-2010, 07:08 AM
#39
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 9,526
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HEY EVERYONE GUESS WHAT?
I just bought a GUCCI wallet because the build quality is soooo much better. Yeah I mean I could have gone Calvin Klein but I mean come on the Gucci is just WAY BETTER quality, yeah it cost twice as much and is made from the leather off the same cow, assembled by the same 12 year old Korean workers, but it is much better because at twice as much $$$ it has much better build quality.
Anyone that thinks their $500 intake is better than my $250 intake is more than welcome to put there money where their mouth is at the local strip. If you want something pretty that doesn't work go buy a $34 metal intake off ebay, why spend $500, or better yet go buy another car like a Lexus and get the hell off a Corvette forum.
BTW I'd strap a dead Deer to the hood of my car if it had proven results to make my car go faster...
Rant x2 over
I just bought a GUCCI wallet because the build quality is soooo much better. Yeah I mean I could have gone Calvin Klein but I mean come on the Gucci is just WAY BETTER quality, yeah it cost twice as much and is made from the leather off the same cow, assembled by the same 12 year old Korean workers, but it is much better because at twice as much $$$ it has much better build quality.
Anyone that thinks their $500 intake is better than my $250 intake is more than welcome to put there money where their mouth is at the local strip. If you want something pretty that doesn't work go buy a $34 metal intake off ebay, why spend $500, or better yet go buy another car like a Lexus and get the hell off a Corvette forum.
BTW I'd strap a dead Deer to the hood of my car if it had proven results to make my car go faster...
Rant x2 over
