All is good. Work is killing me although. I honestly can only say that I won't know about the trip until work decides on when production will halt, and then we will be able to set dates for building shutdowns and re-qualification. They love hanging us by a string.

 

I've been thinking about doing the same thing as you, only I will put the Halltech Trap back on because the car ran fine until the VaraRam went on.

It sounds like you are having the same exact problems as me.
Several people say that that is not the problem but I'm beginning to wonder.

I also agree that it is pretty cheap looking and agree with the fact that there are many places for air to escape.

I'll post my results when I switch them out.

 

Here we go- installed a B1 on my 2001 Z06 (replaced Blackwing) and really didn't notice much! I also have headers, carbonfiber airbridge, ported throttlebody and a non worked MAF (screens still in). I had a dyno tune done with the Donaldson Blackwing in. I look at the air filter in this thing and always "admire" the gloobs of glue that hold the pieces together! I really need to dyno with the Donaldson and B1 on the car to see if there is a difference. The one item- driving in the rain is risky with the B1 or B2 compared to the Blackwing.

 

I replaced the VaraRam air box with the stock Z06 air box.
The reason for this is that I noticed when I connected the aftermarket air box to the MAF that it created a small gap on the bottom of the filter box where the K&N filter goes, the lower part that rubs on the cooling fan shroud.

Because you have to slightly lift the MAF to get the connection right, it pulls the bottom of the filter connector slightly apart at that point.
It creates a bend when it is connected.

Also, I was not happy with the way the filter box sealed so I modified the rubber gaskets around the box. I wanted a tighter seal.

For $399.00 you would think that they could have used 4 clips to make a tighter seal. The two rubber connectors that they have now is pretty lame IMHO, especially when your talking about the possibility of dirt or dust being allowed to enter the engine.

With the stock air box everything fits snug now and it looks better.

After a short 40 mile drive I noticed that the car ran alittle smoother and the idle seemed to settle down a tad.

Also, a very slight surge that I had is now gone.
Who knows...time will tell If this works out for the best.

Finally, I can't believe that the after market air box helps enough so as to be concerned about that much of a loss of power or response by using the stock air box.

I'm going to replace the throttle body connector with a smooth connecter for clean air flow to the throttle body.

 

You will not see much difference with the car stationary. The VARARAM comes into it's own while the car is in motion. No "ramair" BUT cold fresh air is what makes the additional power. I picked up 3 mph and 3/10's going from the Blackwing to VARARAM. All the gains were in the 330' to the finish line.

Bottom line, all the serious go fast cars use them, that says it all.

 

I don't think it says anything other than you can have a 3/10ths of a second difference in the way you drive your car. Can you comprehend what part of a blink of an eye constitutes 3/10ths. If temperature is the variable then the weather on the day will make as big a difference. I'll say it again, more than one stock Z06 has run 11's. Conclude what you will but I'm prepared to say driver variables are a far more likely explanation. Besides $300 for 3/10ths, hell, I'd give up 3/10ths if someone gave me $300. LOL.

 

In drag racing, 3/10's IS a lot, & usually very expensive once you get into the mid to low 11's or lower!

 

Well, since my car is an A/4 and as consistent as the sunrise, I think it says plenty. Let me put it another way......... 20+ runs without VARARAM vs. 20+ runs with VARARAM. All runs done over a 12 month period, that means diff. temp, weather, track conditions blah blah blah... get the picture!! And the VARARAM runs are quicker.

You conclude whatever YOU want. There is plenty of proof out there to back up my claims..... the difference between you and me is this, I can back it up, what have you done?

As far as you being "prepared" to say driver variables are the explanation, prepared with what......... pure


Wayne FYI Your little tribute to AC/DC Hells Bells. The lyrics are "pouring rain" NOT "fire and rain".

 

Whooo...tetchy.

BTW, I know about the lyric but I guess I prefer it my way. I guess modifying something from the original isn't an original idea.

 

Whats "tetchy"???

I see reality is something a bit foriegn to you huh.

This board is here to help people, not spew unsubstantiated nonsense.

 

Update on coolant temps...

I think I found the culprit.

I checked my coolant with a coolant tester I bought at Napa and discovered that I had more coolant than water.

The mixture was off.

I drained out about a half gallon of coolant and re-filled it with a half gallon of distilled water.

After a 140 mile round trip that started out in 101-105 temps outside, my coolant didn't go above 201 at 75 mph with the air on and it stayed consisitant at that temp dropping occasionally to 195 to 190 as the temp outside dropped to 100.
On the way home at 88 outside it dropped to 181 at one point and then settled in at 185.

I have a 170 t-stat.

I will check the mixture again in the morning to see if any additional coolant needs to be drained as I'm sure it will take several cycles to mix it completely in the engine.

Just a heads up to those of you experiencing high coolant temps.

This was very encouraging to me



Checked coolant this morning and added about a quart more of distilled water ( 3/4 total ) and after a 120 mile round trip things are back to normal

Heads were off twice and probably an oversight as more coolant was added and the mixture was then heavy on the coolant side and less water.

Just a heads up to those of you doing h/c packages

 

 

After playing around with different air boxes over the last couple of days, I discovered yesterday that the airbox would not align up straight to the throttle body.

It was off center.

So while connecting the coupler to the throttle body, it would pull the right top of the filter housing up creating a small gap.

I loosened the bottom clamp below the maf sensor that connects to the bottom air shroud and adjusted the filter housing to where it fits snug now.

After R&R-ing the different air boxes I've come to the conclusion that IMHO there is a difference in throttle response and top end between the stock air box and the after market box.

Some say yes, some say no, I wanted to find out for myself.

I'm going to modifiy the Halltech air box to fit and see what results I get from that.

I like the design of his air box the best.

Finally, this was all done in fun and I thought that if something I've discovered could help someone in anyway well, that is why I posted this info.

The more you tinker, the more you learn

I'm not saying all VaraRam's will fit like mine, but if anyone has similar problems they will know how I fixed mine

 

Stan, Tony has a Vortex unit that he has modified for a tighter seal.


Stan, on LAPD's dyno your intake temps were lower with the VaraRam, but, that may or may not be attributed to the design…or it might be attributed to the flow of clean, cold air in LAPD’s dyno room design.

Either way, cooler intake air allows me to tune more effectively and the VaraRam delivered just that....at least on that day and in that environment.


Stan, that has nothing to do with your temps but if you want to see the difference between the intake systems you have, ask Stan Barber to log the intake air temps and MAF readings. Compare the results.


Take care and see you later...Charlie

 

Sorry, I thought Tony had the VaraRam.

I got my temps under control by checking my coolant mixture with a tester and discovered that I had much more coolant than water.
When I got the mixtures about 50/50 things got back to normal and the car runs great Charlie

I've deceided to leave the VaraRam on and modifiy the Halltech air bridge to fit just for the heck of it to see what happens if anything.

I'm really happy with the way the car runs and you did an awesome tune for me Charlie I think she has some more left in her

I'm getting excited about the possibilities in Oct. if we're still on

Good to hear from you Charlie