Vararam question
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Vararam question
Good morning guys I have a question about the vararam intake I hope you guys don’t laugh at me so here we go. I live in cali and do smog so I was thinking can I install a vararam intake and once smog comes by could I be able to remove the top part of the vararam only and install the stock intake? For those of you that have vararam how much space is the in there for this to maybe work? I thought if I can keep the bottom part of the vararam on and just swap out the the top and fit the stock intake for smog then that is a easy swap but space wise I’m not sure. Thanks
Le Mans Master
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From: Virginia
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Wow, California doesn't even allow a cold air intake! 
For most CAI, I would say just hold on to the OEM intake and swap it out every 2 years for the smog test. I know the Vararam system has some fitment issues, and can be a PITA to install though. Honestly, the gains that you see (on an otherwise stock car) probably wouldn't be worth the trouble of dealing with the smog testers. Good luck!
For most CAI, I would say just hold on to the OEM intake and swap it out every 2 years for the smog test. I know the Vararam system has some fitment issues, and can be a PITA to install though. Honestly, the gains that you see (on an otherwise stock car) probably wouldn't be worth the trouble of dealing with the smog testers. Good luck!
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Le Mans Master
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You can change the rear gears and it’s smog legal. When I lived in ca I had 3.90s installed and it was a kick in the ***. Really woke that car up.
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Now, while the Vararam does bring in the coolest air of the available filter intakes, I’ve not read any notable benefits at most speeds.
There was a test that indicated a ram air effect at very high speed; IIRC it was in excess of 120 MPH. At any rate, it’s going to provide cooler air than the engine bay, but nothing notable in power.
Toys4Life C5 provides a look at the most cost effective, and least expensive, “cool air” mod. Just beware of crossing deep puddles.
There was a test that indicated a ram air effect at very high speed; IIRC it was in excess of 120 MPH. At any rate, it’s going to provide cooler air than the engine bay, but nothing notable in power.
Toys4Life C5 provides a look at the most cost effective, and least expensive, “cool air” mod. Just beware of crossing deep puddles.
Last edited by vette4fl; Jul 16, 2022 at 02:43 PM.
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Last edited by grinder11; Jul 18, 2022 at 12:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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It may not be cold air, but it's cold-er air than what's available under the hood! It also does add ram air. I've heard they're a PITA to install, which is why I've put off buying one. Keeo in mind that in some cases, cold-er intake air can make a difference as to whether or not the KR sensors pull timing due to spark knock. That 15°, or more, IAT reduction can make more power due to the KR sensors not retarding timing. Probably a bigger difference on modded engines than stocers. As for true cold air,
I know of several people in the suburban Detroit area that have their intake air fed thru a custom A/C evaporator, so it draws approx 48° ambient, non humid air. Pretty resourceful, some of those Detroit guys are, I must say!!
I know of several people in the suburban Detroit area that have their intake air fed thru a custom A/C evaporator, so it draws approx 48° ambient, non humid air. Pretty resourceful, some of those Detroit guys are, I must say!!
BTW, your point about the timing retard is insightful. Another thing to learn more about.
Melting Slicks
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From: Northville, MI
This debate comes up about once a year yet the answer never changes. The LS1 engine in a C5 has 8 cylinders and about 43.5 cu in per cylinder. There is only so much room for fuel and air to enter a cylinder on each engine stroke. Air contract and expands with heat or cold, so heated air will contain a little less oxygen and nitrogen per cylinder than cooler or ambient air. GM has dedicated the majority of the PCM memory about 80% to an adaptive strategy of how the engine should run and a small portion about 20% to changeable parameters. The intake air temperature, as measured by the MAF's IAT sensor, tells the PCM how much timing to allow the engine use when accelerating, cruising and decelerating. Bottom line the cooler the incoming air entering the engine, the PCM allows for better performance than is the incoming air temperature was warmer. With a good scan log you can see the effects on timing and other parameters of the engine management. Before I went to an outside air system my IAT's would usually range in the 130-150F range after using an ambient air intake it ranges from 70-95F depending on the weather. Does it make more HP probably no more than 3-4 HP.
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