So I installed the Vararam today . WHAT A PAIN IN THE *** ! Won't do that again . Did it with the Cajun guys instructions which is alot better than what came in the box . Seemed like it took all day don't know how it could've went any quicker with all the screws you gotta remove . Anyway I have a question for those of you that have one . Does the filter come pre oiled and is there an air flow direction ? I looked at it trying to find some kind of mark or arrow but it looked the same on both sides and the edges also the plastic wrap that it came in didn't have any traces of oil in it . Don't really want to drive the required miles until I find out for sure if there is an air flow direction . The filter is not green pretty much just white with wire mesh .
Thanks

 

. The filter has no arrow ,so just
Spray it with a light coat of WD_40 and install it. Make sure its seated in the housing. Check and clean every couple of months on your daily driver or a little longer if not a DD. I use spray and wash cloths treatment for cleaning. Make sure the filter is dry and. don't use too much WD_40.

 

The VaraRam! I swear it was build by a blind person who can't measure. It did give me HUGE gains though.

 

I hope that I am not hi-jacking the OP's thread by saying this.

I was at the Corvette "toy store" last week. Was really thinking about the SLP Blackwing. Talked to one of the techs that owns a C-5, and he said that he had the Varam and that's what he recommended. He also said that the Blackwing was not a "true" cold air intake. So now I back to square one and confused.

I can get the Varam installed for $127 and might just do that based on some of the posts I have read about fitment and install nightmares.

 

The Vararam works very well, a true cold air intake.
It is a royal pain in the a$$ to fit, if you have large hands and forearms (I do!) makes the job that much harder, an exercise in patience (I don't have any...)
I love mine now it's in.
No direction on the filter, make very sure you have a good seal!!
I use the K&N filter cleaning kit on mine, works like a charm!
Don't over oil the filter light coats till it is evenly coated.
I have a spare filter so one is always washed, clean and dry!

 

So I still have'nt had the chance to drive the car since the install , been raining here alot . Anyway I was out in the garage today trying to make some final adjustments and after a closer look I think I have the B1 and not the B2 that was advertised . By looking at the B2 on the Vararam website I can see some differences . The latches are different on the B2 they are black plastic type and mine are shiny metal , there are three noticeable bolts on the B2 that hold the ducts to the ram mine only has 2 the fit where the ducts meet the ram on the B2 is one continuous match that seal and fit together tightly all the way around , mine looks like a hack job where the 2 pieces meet with gaps that look like they were cut by a 2 year old . Also as I stand in front of the car at about ten feet away I can see that the ducts are in there so tight that it looks like they bow in places . Gonna have to get under there again and have a look . Just an FYI for those of you that are in the market for one and want to make sure you get the B2 . I bought mine this winter so it sat in the box till it got warmer here . I did look at it when it arrived and it is new but it's not the B2 that was advertised and I'm sure the parts dealer that sold it new that . I believe he had 10 listed on Ebay and they all sold . Mines on and it's prob been too long to return it anyway .

 

What year is your car?

 

98 coupe

 

best avatar

 

For a true CAI, it sounds like the Honker is worth the additional expense just to eliminate the aggravation factor! Everyone seems to cuss 'em out big time when installing.

 

True about the Blackwing not being a true CAI. That's easy enough to fix. I modified the shroud for cold outside ambiant air and installed the IceBox cover. All used parts and did the work on the shroud myself. Couldn't see getting a VR for all the well known reasons and no way spending $500+ for a Honker. I have just as true/real CAI as the rest. It's all good baby!!

 

Cold Air YES. FORCED cold air NO. Still a great job.

 

No potential water issues, forced air at speed, saved some coin. I'll live with it. Thanks

 

 

I've heard the same, and can see why. However, I've also heard the 'ram' of the Vararam doesn't have much effect for normal driving.

 

 

it's strange how everyone complains about installing these, and I didn't have too many issues with it. Installed in under 2 hours with a friend. Everything seemed pretty straight forward, just takes time to get everything seated right.

And as far as water goes, I have no issues. Only way you're going to have issues with water is if your car goes into a puddle deeper than the duct height in the bumper....which is over a foot. If you're blindly driving through deeper puddles than that at speed without caution...then you have other issues.....

 

In the 1960's the Dodge Ramchargers drag racing team developed what I consider to be the prototype for what is now considered "ram or forced" air induction. By cutting holes into the hood and placing metal "scoops" over the holes and sealing the path between the outside air and the carburetors they accomplished what they determined to be a significant advantage over other competitors who were drawing their air from under the hood. They advertised that they achieved the effect of a blower at speeds from and above 60 mph and they went 0-60 in under four seconds. Obviously VR users are not achieving effects of a blower as there is no requirement to lower compression ratio simply for using the system.

As highway driving speeds are at 60 mph and above I believe that there is an effect in normal driving using a VR air intake system. The system is encapsulated from intake port through the throttle body providing a true forced air induction. As a layman's test for how much force is being applied you could manufacture a panel the size of the intake ports of the VR combined and hold it out the window at speed with your hand. The resistance would give you an idea as to how much air was pushed into the system at speed. As for the true gain of horsepower or mileage provided by using the VR I have no documentation.

My car had the VR on it when I bought it and I have never known any different. I DO know I had to fabricate screens for the intake ports to keep the squirrels out.