vararam intake
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
I went from a stock set up to a Blackwing(bought used very cheaply) it made absolutely zero,zip,nada,difference at the track.I switched to a Vararam and dropped almost 4/10's instantly.A year later I installed the Vararam power duct and cut about 8/100's more.Dont waste your money on a Blackwing.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
Yep worth the install time for sure. They simply perform.
http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...&categoryId=27
http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...&categoryId=27
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 477
Likes: 1
So I currently have a blackwing. Is it really worth it to get the vararam now? I'm in the middle of a cam swap and need a tune soon. Can I have it tuned with my blackwing and add a vararam later with no modification to tune?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Rockville MD
Had a blacking and bolt ons for several years, it performed quite well at the track, I recently switched to a vararam ( crappiest system I have ever seen in terms of quality, but that is another issue ). I went back to the track in the summer with the vararam and the car seemed to be trapping higher given the temps but the et was identical to what the blacking did in similar temps...
I am going to the track this weekend as the conditions will be almost identical to my 12.4 pass with the blacking , this will be the true test... If the intake can improve the time by 2/10ths I'll be satisfied but I am not holding my breath...
I am going to the track this weekend as the conditions will be almost identical to my 12.4 pass with the blacking , this will be the true test... If the intake can improve the time by 2/10ths I'll be satisfied but I am not holding my breath...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
i had the blackwing before, didnt notice any difference. I just installed the vararam and I can tell a big improvement. The install was a pain, you just have to take your time (about 5 - 6 hours) and you will be happy you did.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Oh my! 5-6 hours is the longest I have heard for an install! My first took me about 2 1/2 hours.Now I do em for friends in about an hour and a half.But then again I have done 15 or so.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
Probably about a 30 hp difference at speed between the Vararam and Blackwing. It is a PITA to install, but the end result is worth it.
Took me 6 hours.
Took me 6 hours.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 812
Likes: 2
From: Metairie Louisiana
If you are looking for the better intake to complement your other mods most will tell you get the Vararam. They aren't torential rain friendly, that is if in a heavy rain you plow thru some standing water the VR will send it to your motor causing problems. Some say they've hydro locked the engine and have had to spend a ton to fix the damage. They also are a PITA to install. For performance they seem to be the choice, if you get one install it prior to your tune. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 46
From: Severn Maryland
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2015 C3 of Year Finalist
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Had a blacking and bolt ons for several years, it performed quite well at the track, I recently switched to a vararam ( crappiest system I have ever seen in terms of quality, but that is another issue ). I went back to the track in the summer with the vararam and the car seemed to be trapping higher given the temps but the et was identical to what the blacking did in similar temps...
I am going to the track this weekend as the conditions will be almost identical to my 12.4 pass with the blacking , this will be the true test... If the intake can improve the time by 2/10ths I'll be satisfied but I am not holding my breath...
I am going to the track this weekend as the conditions will be almost identical to my 12.4 pass with the blacking , this will be the true test... If the intake can improve the time by 2/10ths I'll be satisfied but I am not holding my breath...
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
If you are looking for the better intake to complement your other mods most will tell you get the Vararam. They aren't torential rain friendly, that is if in a heavy rain you plow thru some standing water the VR will send it to your motor causing problems. Some say they've hydro locked the engine and have had to spend a ton to fix the damage. They also are a PITA to install. For performance they seem to be the choice, if you get one install it prior to your tune. Good luck
never once has it been shown that Vararam can cause a hydro lock.It is always "I heard from my uncles,cousins friends brothers neighbor that he knew of a guy who ran through rain or water and......" Down here we have very poor drainage and daily thunderstorms that would wash away most other cities.Three large Corvette clubs and many Vararams,not a single problem.This myth is total bunk!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Rockville MD
But yea I will update tomorrow with how the car performed, hopefully it does better than a 12.4 with the vararam...
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,225
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
I already had a mail order tune done by ECS when the blackwing / other mods were on, so i don't plan on retuning it any time soon, I going to assume that it will be sufficient, as the only mod that changed was the intake...
But yea I will update tomorrow with how the car performed, hopefully it does better than a 12.4 with the vararam...
But yea I will update tomorrow with how the car performed, hopefully it does better than a 12.4 with the vararam...
Good luck at the track, if you have any questions let me know. When comparing your track results, it is very important to have an idea of the DA is each time, even if the conditions feel the same. A 500' difference in DA is hard to feel, but will make a difference on your ET.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,225
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
btw, I have a few good condition Vararam intake take off's (from SC installs) that I would sell if anyone is interest. Shoot me a PM 
