Vararam question
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 72
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From: Camano Island WA
Vararam question
So......installed a Vararam and what a pain. I read about them and knew going into it that it would be hard, but it for sure took more time then i thought. Anyways, got it installed, drove my car about 100 miles yesterday and it ran fine. No codes or anything. One thing I am noticing is my oil pressure is running a little higher then it used too. Not spiking, but higher. Is that normal, or is that ok? Thanks in advance! 
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
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From: Victoria tx
when I get mine im debating on doing it myself or just letting corvettes of Houston do it. they only charge like 75 bucks, and according to the nightmares ive heard on installing it that sounds like a good deal hahah.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
And also. . .
Here on the east coast we have had torrential rain storms the last few days. And I have read over and over here countless times here of Vararam intake owners, not thinking and wading through high water and Wam, your engine is hydolocked. broken pistons, cracked rods and a shot engines. So please, just don't become thoughtless and remember the unit is down there in front of your car. C5's sit low in the front as it is, don't kiss your engine away by simply cruising into 6" of deep water. 
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Camano Island WA
If 75 bucks is all they charge i would highly recommend it as long as its a shop u can trust. They are a headache to put it. I do most my own work on my car and i am glad its done, but i would be hesitant to ever do another one. Good luck!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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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
Here on the east coast we have had torrential rain storms the last few days. And I have read over and over here countless times here of Vararam intake owners, not thinking and wading through high water and Wam, your engine is hydolocked. broken pistons, cracked rods and a shot engines. So please, just don't become thoughtless and remember the unit is down there in front of your car. C5's sit low in the front as it is, don't kiss your engine away by simply cruising into 6" of deep water.
What is countless is the number of times people claim vr's hydrolock engines in the rain
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I haven't even seen one post where someone hydrolocked their engine due to the vararam... now just about every post is about the crappy build quality and poor fitment but they do work, to me that is countless... but if you drive through high enough water to submerge half of your front bumper and lock up your engine you should be blaming yourself and not a vararam
I agree
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,119
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
OK, How about a lot over the last 10 years ?
Ok, I'm not badmouthing Vararam cold air inducting, but the intake is like 8" off the road surface and since I've been here for a longtime, I can remember a lot of "Sorry the day after" stories of a minute of not thinking and @60MPH they hit a low spot in the road that had a pond of water sitting in it. Does it mean the driver is at fault? Well I don't think so as we all have had those moments where the area just ahead of your headlight is sitting water. And that water can cause some big problems. I'm just saying with a intake that sits up inside the open spot forward of the radiator, it's still cold air intake, it just sits higher up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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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 haven't been here near as long as you and I recall only 1 case. Right around 2 years ago. He got a new engine from the insurance claim. There was something about Removing the VR from the car before the adjuster saw it.
Other than that one case all the rest of the complaints were my friends brothers second cousins mothers uncle knew a guy type stories.
Other than that one case all the rest of the complaints were my friends brothers second cousins mothers uncle knew a guy type stories.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 4
if you drive through high enough water to submerge half of your front bumper and lock up your engine you should be blaming yourself and not a vararam
This is not a new product so anyone purchasing it should be aware of the risk and take appropriate precautions when driving. It is the crappiest fit but the best functioning CAI out there. I had two and even tho I slammed it for fit and finish I can also attest it produces best gains of all others.As to OP question, your engine may be ruining little lean for a while after the install specially at speed where the Vararam does it's work. Normally the computer will adjust fairly quickly but in case of Vararam the air/fuel changes more at speed and might take longer for computer to find a happy medium. Leaner = hotter engine so keep an eye on it for a while longer, should get back to normal soon.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 72
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From: Camano Island WA
This is not a new product so anyone purchasing it should be aware of the risk and take appropriate precautions when driving. It is the crappiest fit but the best functioning CAI out there. I had two and even tho I slammed it for fit and finish I can also attest it produces best gains of all others.As to OP question, your engine may be ruining little lean for a while after the install specially at speed where the Vararam does it's work. Normally the computer will adjust fairly quickly but in case of Vararam the air/fuel changes more at speed and might take longer for computer to find a happy medium. Leaner = hotter engine so keep an eye on it for a while longer, should get back to normal soon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
Likes: 311
From: Lino Lakes MN
I have been on this board for just over 8 years and I have heard of only 1 incident with a vararam hydro locking a car. I believe it is an urban myth that there is any significant number of incidents caused by the VR.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: joshua tree ca
I also have a VR and thanks for the reminder! Up here in the desert, it rarely rains but when it does, it floods. I try to keep her garaged on those three days-a-year. On the fit issue? Yep I also agree. It has been a challenge to make it fit correctly.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
From: san jose ca
Ditto
I have this same issue on the oil PSI. still under 500 miles with the V intake. Have not noticed hotter engine temps (actually the opposite) but my Oil PSI was usually at 40 and now runs about 45-50 when on throttle. At idle it stays at 38-40 per manual for A4. Running fine so far.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Ok, I'm not badmouthing Vararam cold air inducting, but the intake is like 8" off the road surface and since I've been here for a longtime, I can remember a lot of "Sorry the day after" stories of a minute of not thinking and @60MPH they hit a low spot in the road that had a pond of water sitting in it. Does it mean the driver is at fault? Well I don't think so as we all have had those moments where the area just ahead of your headlight is sitting water. And that water can cause some big problems. I'm just saying with a intake that sits up inside the open spot forward of the radiator, it's still cold air intake, it just sits higher up.