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This is what Vararam calls " A Symbol of Excellence"? I've seen better cuts in Middle school wood shop. I should have stopped right there and thrown it back in the box. If I could have returned it I would have, but past the return period. The fitment was horrendous and the fog light opening looks like garbage with the fog lights not centered in the holes. I watched Vararam's install video step by step before and during install. When they tell you 1, don't bolt it back up to the front fascia despite it having mounting holes to do so, and 2, don't worry if the holes in the foam gasket don't match up with the screws (which they don't) they can't be serious about quality or excellence. I had to make cuts to the plastic to get the air box low enough to close the hood. Haven't drove it enough to tell performance wise, but unless this thing pins me to the seat it's coming off. Very disappointed.
Although I think it could be a little better in the area of airbox sealing and latches. It seemed to fit OK and no problem closing the hood. Not sure how much extra horsepower it added either, but it does get ambient air to the engine.
I've been considering going to the VR, I have the twin cone setup now. Send the fitment issue is common but with some work people are getting it to fit without trimming. Looks like if you use their air bridge you'll need to relocate the MAF sensor?
The vararam is known for poor fit and finish. However, it also gives better actual gains than most other CAI (especially at higher speeds). With that said, it's not gonna pin you to your seat. No CAI by itself provides much of a power gain.
With this thing you have to put it on loosely to ensure the proper angles before tightening it down. If you have fog lights i put it on wrong until just out of curiosity I decided to sandwich the lights, air scoop, and then the fog light mount to keep it solid. I also do not have the power duct with no issues. Obviously there isn’t a single air intake system out there that will push us back into our seats but at least this is a ram air type.
I've been considering going to the VR, I have the twin cone setup now. Send the fitment issue is common but with some work people are getting it to fit without trimming. Looks like if you use their air bridge you'll need to relocate the MAF sensor?
Don't put the MAF near the throttle body all it will do is heat it up. If you have a MAF with the integral temp sensor it will report high air temps to the computer which will retard timing. I have the Vararam air bridge with the MAF mounted in stock location and it's always near ambient temperature.
Went back and read a few threads concerning fitment issues and made some adjustments. The top end looks better but the fog light area still looks hacked. My buddy recommended screens but
I'm on the fence. Thanks to all the contributors who had some great ideas. Still disappointed in Vararam. It's not like I ordered a one size fits all gadget out of a JC Whitney catalog. If anyone has suggestions on the fog light area I'd appreciate it.
Don't put the MAF near the throttle body all it will do is heat it up. If you have a MAF with the integral temp sensor it will report high air temps to the computer which will retard timing. I have the Vararam air bridge with the MAF mounted in stock location and it's always near ambient temperature.
BINGO!!!
Almost everyone does the install wrong. The MAF sensor does NOT go next to\near the TB. It goes on the opposite end of the air-bridge near it's original location. Vararam has this info in the instructions and the install video. I called them to be sure... and was told the same info you mentioned AND that the air can be turbulent right in front of the TB blade. This causes NON-laminar airflow over the sensor. Basically this makes the sensor less accurate at lower air speeds.
I noticed when I moved mine to the correct position my MAF logging was substantially smoother and low speed TB response was also.
Here is a PIC from the forum (post by sabastian458). Notice where the MAF is, up front. This is correct.
Went back and read a few threads concerning fitment issues and made some adjustments. The top end looks better but the fog light area still looks hacked. My buddy recommended screens but
I'm on the fence. Thanks to all the contributors who had some great ideas. Still disappointed in Vararam. It's not like I ordered a one size fits all gadget out of a JC Whitney catalog. If anyone has suggestions on the fog light area I'd appreciate it.
I found it better to bolt the fog light plastic to the fog lights to keep it inline with the lights and that keeps them from having to screw into the bumper.
I found it better to bolt the fog light plastic to the fog lights to keep it inline with the lights and that keeps them from having to screw into the bumper.
Thanks JPoss, that sounds like a good idea. Could you give me some more details on how you did that? Any help is appreciated.
Vararam not worth it!
