Vararam Intake?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
The quality is laughable. I wouldn't care if it improved my 0-60 time by a full second, crap is crap. What gets me is that it is a very expensive unit. You would think it would be made properly using premium materials.
I have one simple rule for any car mod: What goes in needs to be of comparable quality (or better) than what it replaces.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
Huh? I thought my post was very clear.
NO, I don't have one for the reasons stated in my post.
Have I seen one? Yes, and that's how I know they are flimsy, badly sealed and do not fit properly.
On another note; I love your avatar............it's hilarious!
NO, I don't have one for the reasons stated in my post.
Have I seen one? Yes, and that's how I know they are flimsy, badly sealed and do not fit properly.
On another note; I love your avatar............it's hilarious!
Last edited by Cybermind; May 24, 2013 at 06:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
I have a Honker on mine. (Original owner had it put on). Is the reason they aren't more popular solely the cost? I believe I read that they are one of the few true CAI units but I could be wrong.
What does everyone with VR's do about the sucking up road water? I don't know if that's a real problem or just unfounded rantings. A lot of folks seem to run 'em so I find it hard to believe they'd be sucking up road chit and still be that popular.
What does everyone with VR's do about the sucking up road water? I don't know if that's a real problem or just unfounded rantings. A lot of folks seem to run 'em so I find it hard to believe they'd be sucking up road chit and still be that popular.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
Go for it. You will notice the difference. Only true ram air CAI for a C5 out there as far as I know. The faster you go, the more air is forced into the engine and the more hp it helps to make. Any simple mod that gives 3/10's at the drag strip is well worth it. No other CAI can make this claim.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
I have a Honker on mine. (Original owner had it put on). Is the reason they aren't more popular solely the cost? I believe I read that they are one of the few true CAI units but I could be wrong.
What does everyone with VR's do about the sucking up road water? I don't know if that's a real problem or just unfounded rantings. A lot of folks seem to run 'em so I find it hard to believe they'd be sucking up road chit and still be that popular.
What does everyone with VR's do about the sucking up road water? I don't know if that's a real problem or just unfounded rantings. A lot of folks seem to run 'em so I find it hard to believe they'd be sucking up road chit and still be that popular.
Factory declared time for 1/4 mile (coupe) when new was 13.36. My 2000 convertible, automatic transmission with a Vararam, ran 13.1 with 89,000 miles and worn out Michelin Pilot Sports on it the week I purchased it in May, 2011. I think it does something good for performance?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Yeah, but I've heard of sucking water, the screens wouldn't solve that?
I'm not about to pull the Honker off and use a VR, just curious to hear from those who have them about the supposed water issue; fact or fiction?
I'm not about to pull the Honker off and use a VR, just curious to hear from those who have them about the supposed water issue; fact or fiction?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 5
From: Hyde Park New York
I was asking John about these. He says the vararams "can" suck up water. He recommends the Blackwing.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
Fiction. You'd have to submerge the openings to aspirate water.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
The answer is actually pretty simple. Vararam does not face the ground surface like a street sweeper and does not "suck" water into the intake system. Like ANY intake system if you get it into water deep enough to allow water to the intake opening the water will enter.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 4
From: Always in my lane.
Heres another vote for the Blackwing. Quality piece, easy to install and clean, and to make it a real CAI, modify the shroud for cold air. If you can get yourself an IceBox cover for the Blackwing even better. Im sure it fllows at least as well or better than the quality challenged VR. And you dont have to modify the Blackwing to make it fit/work. Only your stock shroud. No so with the VR. Its well known that most buyers of the VR are hacking,cuttting,siliconing,drilling it to make it fit/work.This way you have a DIY, homemade CAI that works as well as the VR,Honker,Hurricane,and Vortex Rammer. And much cheaper! 
Last edited by DARRYLZO6; May 24, 2013 at 11:57 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Heres another vote for the Blackwing. Quality piece, easy to install and clean, and to make it a real CAI, modify the shroud for cold air. If you can get yourself an IceBox cover for the Blackwing even better. Im sure it fllows at least as well or better than the quality challenged VR. And you dont have to modify the Blackwing to make it fit/work. Only your stock shroud. No so with the VR. Its well known that most buyers of the VR are hacking,cuttting,siliconing,drilling it to make it fit/work.This way you have a DIY, homemade CAI that works as well as the VR,Honker,Hurricane,and Vortex Rammer. And much cheaper!
On your installation I am not able to see how air is forced into the filter box. Is there a duct to an open air source that is not shown in your photos? It appears you have isolated the filter but not gained the benefit of the forced air at speed.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 4
From: Always in my lane.
Darryl. Nice looking job. The only reason I have a Vararam is because it had been installed by a previous owner. I'm fourth in line on my car.
On your installation I am not able to see how air is forced into the filter box. Is there a duct to an open air source that is not shown in your photos? It appears you have isolated the filter but not gained the benefit of the forced air at speed.
On your installation I am not able to see how air is forced into the filter box. Is there a duct to an open air source that is not shown in your photos? It appears you have isolated the filter but not gained the benefit of the forced air at speed.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Thanks. And YES there is a duct/scoop under the filter and it does ram the filter in at speed. Maybe over the weekend I'll post some underside pics. That was the idea behind by DIY CAI project. AND CHEAP! Just as effective as the others. If your VR was installed by the previous owner, that spares you the wrestling contest of installation.
Looking forward to seeing your photo update.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 4
From: Always in my lane.
Looking at how they did it I believe it could have been a "cleaner" job but it seals well at the filter location and has been problem free for me. I screened the intake openings as they had been left unprotected and when I opened the filter the first time there were some Texas or Louisiana bugs the size of 1956 Buicks in there. The purchase and installation paperwork for the VR came with the car and I guess they earned their $200.00 for the install. Still should be screened from the manufacturer.
Looking forward to seeing your photo update.
Looking forward to seeing your photo update.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
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
I can hydrolock a honker. I can hydrolock a stock filter. I can hydrolock my VR.
Always silicone your filter into the upper housing. That is my only complaint
There is no ram air. It's a complete myth. Google it.
Always silicone your filter into the upper housing. That is my only complaint
There is no ram air. It's a complete myth. Google it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
No one is disputing the performance improvements that are possible with the Varraram. It's the poor build quality that is the issue. Wouldn't you like it more if it was made with better quality materials? Honestly?!
Last edited by Cybermind; May 25, 2013 at 07:30 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
