Vararam vs. Halltech Stinger
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Ghent
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Vararam vs. Halltech Stinger
I'm pretty much leaning towards vararam but there is a guy on eBay selling the Halltech Stinger and claims a 16 rwhp gain on an 02 Z06???????? Anyone have this setup as it seem a bit FAR-FETCHED? 
Le Mans Master
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From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Race Director
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From: San Diego CA
My results are in my sig. Granted, I also have Borla Stingers installed, but normally-aspirated LS1s don't gain much from an aftermarket cat-back. If you live in California, you will not be happy if you need to uninstall and reinstall the Vararam for the smog test. The Halltech and Blackwing are far easier to install and swap out when necessary.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I've been through 2 smog tests in ca. so far...no issue.I have heard a couple people mention this just recently,I am not aware that they are illegal,and can't understand why they would be in the first place.
Maybe there is something I am unaware of,but I did NOTHING special to pass ca. emissions...just my .02
Maybe there is something I am unaware of,but I did NOTHING special to pass ca. emissions...just my .02
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
It's the "luck of the draw" when it comes to finding an ignorant smog tech, but I've had so much trouble with the smallest of things in my 68 (back when anything newer than a 65 required smog checks) that I don't want to take the gamble anymore. I have read of at least two or three C5 owners who were nailed because of their Blackwing. Currently, there are only a couple of C.A.R.B.-approved aftermarket intakes for a C5. K&N makes one and Granatelli or Calloway make the other.
The Vararam, like all the others, is illegal here. If you passed the visual, consider yourself lucky. Unfortunately, your smog tech could quit or retire and then it's the "luck-of-the-draw" again.
The Vararam, like all the others, is illegal here. If you passed the visual, consider yourself lucky. Unfortunately, your smog tech could quit or retire and then it's the "luck-of-the-draw" again.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 526
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From: Tampa fl
The Vararam, like all the others, is illegal here. If you passed the visual, consider yourself lucky. Unfortunately, your smog tech could quit or retire and then it's the "luck-of-the-draw" again.
I think my head would explode like that dude in Scanners if I had to deal with such bogus state laws.
I think my head would explode like that dude in Scanners if I had to deal with such bogus state laws.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Eustis Florida
Originally Posted by lawless99
The Vararam, like all the others, is illegal here. If you passed the visual, consider yourself lucky. Unfortunately, your smog tech could quit or retire and then it's the "luck-of-the-draw" again.
I think my head would explode like that dude in Scanners if I had to deal with such bogus state laws.
I think my head would explode like that dude in Scanners if I had to deal with such bogus state laws.
My 02 Z28 wouldn't pass because it had a Cat-back and an intake lid. Tech said the lid would pass by itself but was not tested with other mods. I had to go to a referee station to get a pass. Didn't matter that the car was extremely clean on the running part of the test.
Oh well, back to the subject. I took my vararam off and put a haltech stinger on. No difference in track times or mph between the two. I was concerned about water since mine is a daily driver, and we do get a good bit of rain in Florida.
My .02
