VaraRam - Just my experience
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 2
From: Florida
VaraRam - Just my experience
For 5 years, I was the biggest supporter of the VaraRam intake, when you used the closed loop that connects the zo6grille/fog light openings directly to the throttle body with their ductiing. Great dyno numbers, out performed every other intake i have ever tried,(7 or more).
Recently i got caught in a typical florida downpour, 6" of water in 6 minutes. Driving through a parking lot, just idling through a puddle and the car died, 3 days later when the VaraRam was taken off, there was substantial water in the throttle body,(which was destroyed, electronically) and lots of water in the intake, and more importantly, lots of water in cylinder #7.
The water caused a rod to shear off, cracked a piston, scored everything, camshaft, crankshaft,etc. without going further Nationwide Insurance called the motor a total loss and approved a new, factory, gm, warranteed LS-1 replacement. Total bill : $ 10,565 and 2 weeks of time.
I was uncomfortable reinstalling the VaraRam and changed to a open element above the shroud cai,(K&N, HallTech,etc).
when you connect the fog light openings to the throttle body, you better be in arizona or nevada because in florida you are gonna be risking a total engine meltdown in any serious rain storm situation.
If I had been using any cai other than the VaraRam that sits above the radiator shroud in the engine compartment, I am 150% confident i would not have had a problem.
Sorry VaraRam but your closed loop is too direct a route for the water to make it to the throttle body and into the motor.
Maybe my experience was 1 in a million but i doubt it, use caution and factor where you live when you look at a bottom feeder cai.
Lesson learned here.
this is what i had installed:
Recently i got caught in a typical florida downpour, 6" of water in 6 minutes. Driving through a parking lot, just idling through a puddle and the car died, 3 days later when the VaraRam was taken off, there was substantial water in the throttle body,(which was destroyed, electronically) and lots of water in the intake, and more importantly, lots of water in cylinder #7.
The water caused a rod to shear off, cracked a piston, scored everything, camshaft, crankshaft,etc. without going further Nationwide Insurance called the motor a total loss and approved a new, factory, gm, warranteed LS-1 replacement. Total bill : $ 10,565 and 2 weeks of time.
I was uncomfortable reinstalling the VaraRam and changed to a open element above the shroud cai,(K&N, HallTech,etc).
when you connect the fog light openings to the throttle body, you better be in arizona or nevada because in florida you are gonna be risking a total engine meltdown in any serious rain storm situation.
If I had been using any cai other than the VaraRam that sits above the radiator shroud in the engine compartment, I am 150% confident i would not have had a problem.
Sorry VaraRam but your closed loop is too direct a route for the water to make it to the throttle body and into the motor.
Maybe my experience was 1 in a million but i doubt it, use caution and factor where you live when you look at a bottom feeder cai.
Lesson learned here.
this is what i had installed:
Last edited by Steve-O; Aug 31, 2011 at 08:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Never drive through water.....That's what I learned and practiced ever since I bought my car and had it lowered. Rain..no problem, puddles...no problem, standing water...Won't go there!
Sad to hear about your troubles, but at least your insurance covered it as they should have.
Sad to hear about your troubles, but at least your insurance covered it as they should have.
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It is actually quite interesting you bring this up because I am from Florida and I bought my 04 in Florida and had it there for 3 years before I moved. I drove through flooding caused by a hurricane and several large puddles in the road from rainfall and I have a Vararam and never had any issues. Perhaps I am just lucky.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Really glad I read this one, I love in Rockledge 10 minutes from Cocoa Beach FL. US1 as well as A1A gets so much water on it sometimes you wouldnt see a pot hole a foot deep until you ran over it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 285
From: Rio Rancho New Mexico
Thanx for pointing that out captian ovbious...
even tho the intake cuased the problem, he pays his insurance...it was an accident that WAS NOT intentional...I would do the same thing. There is a reason we pay insurance..call it whatever you want, fruad or not, we all get boned either way anyways
even tho the intake cuased the problem, he pays his insurance...it was an accident that WAS NOT intentional...I would do the same thing. There is a reason we pay insurance..call it whatever you want, fruad or not, we all get boned either way anyways
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Thanx for pointing that out captian ovbious...
even tho the intake cuased the problem, he pays his insurance...it was an accident that WAS NOT intentional...I would do the same thing. There is a reason we pay insurance..call it whatever you want, fruad or not, we all get boned either way anyways
even tho the intake cuased the problem, he pays his insurance...it was an accident that WAS NOT intentional...I would do the same thing. There is a reason we pay insurance..call it whatever you want, fruad or not, we all get boned either way anyways
Gimmie a break!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Vancouver B.C.