Removed the VaraRam...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
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St. Jude Contributor '04
Removed the VaraRam...
Well, ever since VaraRam CAI install, I've had some issues like SES codes and lean condition, which was corrected with HP Tuner. However I didn't see any gains on the track (if anything i think it was hurting the performance). With bone stock, I ran 12.35@115.3, with VaraRam, I was running 12.45 - 12.55, so I decided to remove it and go with Zip Tie mod until return to the track to see if my suspicion was correct. I will do another tune and possibly another dyno before going back to the track to see if there are any changes.
Before with VaraRam CAI
After, Zip Tie mod
Yeah, VaraRam looks better but I just wasn't comfortable with it and Zip Tie mod is just a holdover until after the track runs and figure out what CAI I want to go with.
I've seen some posters stating that they gain something like 3 tenths and 2 to 3 mph, so I would have been happy with one tenth and 1 mph gains but I was going backwards. Now, I'm not saying VaraRam is POS, it just didn't work for me and I just wasn't happy with it's results or lack thereof so I am going back to the drawing board.
Here are couple disturbing pics of what was being accumlated in the radiator. I brushed and tapped the first of two radiators and all this junk fell out of it.
Before with VaraRam CAI
After, Zip Tie mod
Yeah, VaraRam looks better but I just wasn't comfortable with it and Zip Tie mod is just a holdover until after the track runs and figure out what CAI I want to go with.
I've seen some posters stating that they gain something like 3 tenths and 2 to 3 mph, so I would have been happy with one tenth and 1 mph gains but I was going backwards. Now, I'm not saying VaraRam is POS, it just didn't work for me and I just wasn't happy with it's results or lack thereof so I am going back to the drawing board.
Here are couple disturbing pics of what was being accumlated in the radiator. I brushed and tapped the first of two radiators and all this junk fell out of it.
Last edited by AOC; Jul 28, 2005 at 10:02 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,063
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by AOC
Well, ever since VaraRam CAI install, I've had some issues like SES codes and lean condition, which was corrected with HP Tuner. However I didn't see any gains on the track (if anything i think it was hurting the performance). With bone stock, I ran 12.35@115.3, with VaraRam, I was running 12.45 - 12.55, so I decided to remove it and go with Zip Tie mod until return to the track to see if my suspicion was correct. I will do another tune and possibly another dyno before going back to the track to see if there are any changes.
Before with VaraRam CAI
After, Zip Tie mod
Yeah, VaraRam looks better but I just wasn't comfortable with it and Zip Tie mod is just a holdover until I until after the track runs and figure out what CAI I want to go with.
I've seen some posters stating that they gain something like 3 tenths and 2 to 3 mph, so I would have been happy with one tenth and 1 mph gains but I was going backwards. Now, I'm not saying VaraRam is POS, it just didn't work for me and I just wasn't happy with it's results or lack thereof so I am going back to the drawing board.
Here are couple disturbing pics of what was being accumlated in the radiator. I brushed and tapped the first of two radiators and all this junk fell out of it.
Before with VaraRam CAI
After, Zip Tie mod
Yeah, VaraRam looks better but I just wasn't comfortable with it and Zip Tie mod is just a holdover until I until after the track runs and figure out what CAI I want to go with.
I've seen some posters stating that they gain something like 3 tenths and 2 to 3 mph, so I would have been happy with one tenth and 1 mph gains but I was going backwards. Now, I'm not saying VaraRam is POS, it just didn't work for me and I just wasn't happy with it's results or lack thereof so I am going back to the drawing board.
Here are couple disturbing pics of what was being accumlated in the radiator. I brushed and tapped the first of two radiators and all this junk fell out of it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 383
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St. Jude Contributor '04
Originally Posted by 2000BSME
I can see it now, someone is going to see the junk that you pulled out of your radiators and say that it was crap that got past the filter in your vram...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
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St. Jude Contributor '04
Originally Posted by LS1LT1
And you did these comparisons in the exact same air temps/conditions and track prep?
As you noted one generally does need to tune for the Vararam as well.
As you noted one generally does need to tune for the Vararam as well.
I didn't start this thread to bash vararam, only to share my personal experiences with it. I'll be going back to the track next Tuesday and see how I'll do without vararam.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
Originally Posted by new vetter
That makes no sense at all... 
Doesn't make any sense at all?? What's really going on here??
Did you put it in wrong or not have a good seal??
How did you do a bone stock 12.3 1/4 time too?? what are you driving?
BTW, that crap came out of your radiator and really has nothing to do with any intake system??
I wanna here this.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver WA
How many constant weekend runs have you made with a 12.35 before the V-Ram ? Because if it is just one weekend you ran a 12.35, then the next weekend you made a mod and ran a 12.55, then it probably is track condition. But if the V-ram is the cause of it being slower, then re-tuning it like you said would be a good idea. You won't be getting any decent HP improvement until you get the rpm up and some mph. With Ram-air the faster you go, the better it works. It's probably just starting to work decent at the end of the 1/4 mile. So I would think you would need to fatten up the mixture just a little on the top end since you should be pushing more air in the motor. Also if you dyno, you should have a really high cfm fan right in front of each intakes opening to simulate the wind you will be blowing in there to get the right mixture. Let us know what you find out. I have a stock 99 that I am going to start doing some mild mods too, and I am interested in your final results. Thanks for sharing the info.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
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St. Jude Contributor '04
Originally Posted by JoshVette
Doesn't make any sense at all?? What's really going on here??
Did you put it in wrong or not have a good seal??
How did you do a bone stock 12.3 1/4 time too?? what are you driving?
BTW, that crap came out of your radiator and really has nothing to do with any intake system??
I knew I would get some of the vararam user get defensive about my thread, but again, I assure you guys that I am not bashing vararam and have not bashed vararam.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
Okay, well, it just seemed strange all that you were saying.
No offense.
I heard too many try to bash it, it just gets old.
I've never heard of anyone loosing speed and time, the worst I've heard was .1-0.15 faster, but never slower????
No offense.
I heard too many try to bash it, it just gets old.
I've never heard of anyone loosing speed and time, the worst I've heard was .1-0.15 faster, but never slower????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
I have heard one other member have the same problem. He installed the vararam and lost about a tenth and 1 or 2 mph. It is odd. May be something in the tune who knows. Too bad it did not work for you because myself and quite a few other's on here have gotten some nice gains with it at the track.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
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St. Jude Contributor '04
Originally Posted by shurite44
I have heard one other member have the same problem. He installed the vararam and lost about a tenth and 1 or 2 mph. It is odd. May be something in the tune who knows. Too bad it did not work for you because myself and quite a few other's on here have gotten some nice gains with it at the track.
My plan is to get it tuned again with HP Tuner and run it at the track next tuesday evening, the condition should be pretty close to when I last ran with vararam and see what happens.
If and when I get everything sorted out and feel comfortable enough to re-install the vararam, I will.
My problem may not be related to vararam and vararam removal is just a starting poing to see if my suspicion was correct.
