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Just installed a Vararam

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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 08:06 PM
  #1  
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Default Just installed a Vararam

Install wasn't so bad. Fit wasn't terrible (I expected worse after reading some of the reviews).

I must say, I am a bit disappointed with the results after driving for about 30 minutes. I expected to feel more difference in the throttle response. Because of the weather I haven't had a chance to get on it in the upper speeds. I'm hoping when it dries up I will notice more of a difference in the 55+mph ranges.

My question is do people notice more of a difference with Coupes vs Z06s? I'm guessing maybe most of the people noticing the huge differences are in coupes with stock intakes?
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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 08:35 PM
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I have a couple with a stock intake. Didn't notice anything. I plan on removing it at some point...it's a POS IMO and I worry about locking up the engine...
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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by benr7132
I have a couple with a stock intake. Didn't notice anything. I plan on removing it at some point...it's a POS IMO and I worry about locking up the engine...
Don't use your Vette for snorkeling and you'll NEVER have a problem.
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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 09:07 PM
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Yea, I drove it through a monsoon today and everything was fine. I was however pretty worried whenever I hit a big puddle...but country windy roads with traffic on em don't leave much room for maneuvering.

I'm just hoping when I drive it tomorrow at highway speeds I actually notice a difference. Hoping I didn't waste 2.5 hours of my life for nothing.
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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 09:19 PM
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the vararam is by far the best---my 01 zo6 felt like a beast after a test drive--after 30 miles it did a 2nd gear wheel stand--after 50 miles of driving in 2nd gear--came close to flipping it on its roof--maybe i hit some dog $hit who knows---YOU want the best get the best--VARARM
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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 09:26 PM
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Your car will need to be at highway cruise speeds for a while. The computer needs time to adjust to the new air volume. You might experience some surging at speed for a while.....this is normal. Once the car "learns" the new air equation everything smooths out.


The VRB2 cut a full 3/10ths off of my 1/4 mile time and I suck as a driver! One of the best bang for the bucks mods I have done!


I drove from Norman, OK to Ft Worth, TX this past spring in the worst rainstorm I have ever driven in,,,,no problems,,,only deep water will get you in trouble. Three plus years with the VRB2.


My $00.02


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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 10:05 PM
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Most intakes get you absolutely nothing. Seriously, a complete waste of money for most.

Vararam, however, is one of the only intakes that has repeatably been shown to make gains at the track. The only other one I'd recommened is the Callaway Honker, which is nicer in quality, but costs like twice as much.

Honestly though, you're not going to "feel" that much. As the poster above mentioned, he got .3sec in the 1/4 mile, going over 100mph, which is an impressive gain for the $$$. But do you honestly think you can feel .1sec in the 0-60 range? Your car will be quicker with the Vararam, just you're not going to feel much, even when the computer adjusts.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 12:56 AM
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Give it some time and the Vararam should show you a nice difference in performance.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 01:24 AM
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I'm guessing you're new to car mods if you're just doing a CAI now. Truth is, it is hard to feel something like 10hp. The big gains are with a combination of bolt-ons and/or going with a H/C setup (or even some FI).

Dope
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 06:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Dope
I'm guessing you're new to car mods if you're just doing a CAI now. Truth is, it is hard to feel something like 10hp. The big gains are with a combination of bolt-ons and/or going with a H/C setup (or even some FI).

Dope
Nope, not new at all. The difference was expected because I read so many reviews of people talking about the huge difference they felt. Bases off those statements- yes I expected to feel something.

Everyone else thanks. Im about to drive to lowes...about 15 miles at highway speeds each way.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 09:16 AM
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On mine it made a big difference, but you really feel it at higher speeds. Mine does 75-120 about as quickly as it does 0-60. You just have to have a place to do that. If you do, get up to 75 in 6th, then drop to 3rd and punch it - off you go.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by sfc rick
Don't use your Vette for snorkeling and you'll NEVER have a problem.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 04:03 PM
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The problem with the whole snorkeling thing is that here in S Florida, it can rain 3-4 inches out of no where and the streets are designed so that what was a dry patch of pavement on the highway one day has 6 inches of water runoff on it the next.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by baxsom
The problem with the whole snorkeling thing is that here in S Florida, it can rain 3-4 inches out of no where and the streets are designed so that what was a dry patch of pavement on the highway one day has 6 inches of water runoff on it the next.
I have had my Vararam on for over 5 years (60,000 + miles). I have driven in very heavy Central Florida rain. Never had a problem. If you were here for TS Fay, I did not drive the Vette for a few days. That kind of rain is for pickup trucks.
I noticed a difference getting on the interstate. One of the best bolt on mods.
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by baxsom
The problem with the whole snorkeling thing is that here in S Florida, it can rain 3-4 inches out of no where and the streets are designed so that what was a dry patch of pavement on the highway one day has 6 inches of water runoff on it the next.
Same here on the Outer Banks, Thats why I went with a blackwing.
I'm sure the Vara Ram will give you a little more power but its not worth the chance of screwing up the motor!
At least here in "paradise" its not!
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by rebelheart
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Old Sep 24, 2011 | 09:16 PM
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I noticed a big difference in my car from a 60mph punch.
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To Just installed a Vararam

Old Sep 26, 2011 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by C5Wolfe
Same here on the Outer Banks, Thats why I went with a blackwing.
I'm sure the Vara Ram will give you a little more power but its not worth the chance of screwing up the motor!
At least here in "paradise" its not!
Really? there very little to no chance of a hydrolock with the vararam unless you are a complete idiot and they cannot control that.We are below sea level here in new orleans with the worst drainage on the planet and I have never had,nor even heard of any such problem.Another urban myth! I have seen many completely drenched blackwings though as they get their water directed straight up from the road!
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Old Sep 26, 2011 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Give it some time and the Vararam should show you a nice difference in performance.
And a good tune really helps.
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Old Sep 26, 2011 | 01:30 PM
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I did my Vararam in March and it was thrilled with the result! I noticed an immediate difference getting on the interstate. Further up the road I tested the higher end and saw a difference there as well. Maybe it's my imagination, but it felt like there was more improvement as I drove it more the next few days.

I received all the same warnings about driving in the rain, but spoke to a couple of folks in the area that have it and they said it's never been an issue. Of course you don't want to go through deep puddles if you can avoid them, but to be honest, even without the Vararam I avoid massive puddles anyhow. This past weekend we were on a cruise and hit the worse rain I've ever driven the Vette in and had absolutely no problems what so ever with water getting up into it.

My Vararam is here to stay!
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