vararam question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 42
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vararam question
Hey guys, I'm kinda new here and have a question on the vararam intake. Does the Vararam intake have the same gains at the lower speeds as others and just builds more power when it gets going, or does it not really start making power until you get like above 50? thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
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From: PA
Personnaly, I notice a difference whenever I 'get on it'. It does better >55mph, but it has a sotp feel I can't describe. The install was not too bad, took about 3 hours from putting the Vette on the ramps until I drove it off and went for the relearn drive. It seemed better after 45 miles, but has gotten better after a couple tanks of gas worth of driving.
HTH,
Joe
HTH,
Joe
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Rockville Maryland
I was wondering the same thing. I'm still trying to decide on what intake to get in my 03 Z.
Hans anyone got one of the following intakes...
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
Hans anyone got one of the following intakes...
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
Likes: 6
From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Power gains are most notable above 55 mph. You won't really see anything on a dyno. I love my VaraRam. If you race the 1/4 mile it is the only way to go. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by Silver98
Personnaly, I notice a difference whenever I 'get on it'. It does better >55mph, but it has a sotp feel I can't describe. The install was not too bad, took about 3 hours from putting the Vette on the ramps until I drove it off and went for the relearn drive. It seemed better after 45 miles, but has gotten better after a couple tanks of gas worth of driving.
HTH,
Joe
HTH,
Joe
You will or should feel a difference, gains will be more noticeable at higher speeds which goes along with the idea of the ram air. If you want to see install pics you can check them out on my site:http://www.rickanthonymotorsports.ne...topic.php?t=53
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Well I have a little different opinion here. I noticed a fairly significant difference out of the hole. I gained close to a tenth in my 60' time with a vararam.
Here is why I think it helps. When you are drag racing the under hood temps are highest just prior to the green light. If you are using a stock air box it will be sucking 100% hot under hood air. If you are using a vararam all the air will be ambient temp because vararam receives all of it's air from outside the hood. No other CAI can do this.
I bet if you guys go check your time slips or data logs you will see a gain in your 60' times. I average 3 tenths faster with a vararam, and it breaks down pretty close to 1 tenth to the 60' and 2 tenths to the end of the qtr mile.
Here is why I think it helps. When you are drag racing the under hood temps are highest just prior to the green light. If you are using a stock air box it will be sucking 100% hot under hood air. If you are using a vararam all the air will be ambient temp because vararam receives all of it's air from outside the hood. No other CAI can do this.
I bet if you guys go check your time slips or data logs you will see a gain in your 60' times. I average 3 tenths faster with a vararam, and it breaks down pretty close to 1 tenth to the 60' and 2 tenths to the end of the qtr mile.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by shurite44
Well I have a little different opinion here. I noticed a fairly significant difference out of the hole. I gained close to a tenth in my 60' time with a vararam.
Here is why I think it helps. When you are drag racing the under hood temps are highest just prior to the green light. If you are using a stock air box it will be sucking 100% hot under hood air. If you are using a vararam all the air will be ambient temp because vararam receives all of it's air from outside the hood. No other CAI can do this.
I bet if you guys go check your time slips or data logs you will see a gain in your 60' times. I average 3 tenths faster with a vararam, and it breaks down pretty close to 1 tenth to the 60' and 2 tenths to the end of the qtr mile.
Here is why I think it helps. When you are drag racing the under hood temps are highest just prior to the green light. If you are using a stock air box it will be sucking 100% hot under hood air. If you are using a vararam all the air will be ambient temp because vararam receives all of it's air from outside the hood. No other CAI can do this.
I bet if you guys go check your time slips or data logs you will see a gain in your 60' times. I average 3 tenths faster with a vararam, and it breaks down pretty close to 1 tenth to the 60' and 2 tenths to the end of the qtr mile.
In states like Florida you're drawing hotter air right off the pavement. Not ambient. Your intake is only 12" off the ground.Several of the guys running at E-Town have stated their cars ran slower with the vararararam. These are serious, hard core racers. They don't go by this 'seat of the pants' crap.
In addition it's lousy construction and lack of filtering capability are detrimental to your cars health.
Hi Gary.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,152
Likes: 147
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
There is no doubt that any intake other than stock will provide nice gains. What I would like to know is if the VaraRam is any better than the cold air setup that I already have. The Pro-Flow is very similar to the Vortex Rammer in design. Before I go and buy a new radiator shroud to convert, I would like to hear opinions on the subject. Special k is loud and clear in his disapproval 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
Likes: 6
From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by Special K
In states like Florida you're drawing hotter air right off the pavement. Not ambient. Your intake is only 12" off the ground.Several of the guys running at E-Town have stated their cars ran slower with the vararararam. These are serious, hard core racers. They don't go by this 'seat of the pants' crap.
In addition it's lousy construction and lack of filtering capability are detrimental to your cars health.
Hi Gary.
, Bob, I may have to update the shark picture!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
There is no doubt that any intake other than stock will provide nice gains. What I would like to know is if the VaraRam is any better than the cold air setup that I already have. The Pro-Flow is very similar to the Vortex Rammer in design. Before I go and buy a new radiator shroud to convert, I would like to hear opinions on the subject. Special k is loud and clear in his disapproval
I might add if you race at E-Town talk to the guys Sat. Most of them said their cars ran slower with the vararam.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,152
Likes: 147
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Originally Posted by Special K
Stick with the Pro Flow. It is sealed from the engine compartment and draws ambient air if it's the same as the rammer. Great system and it also filters the incoming air.
I might add if you race at E-Town talk to the guys Sat. Most of them said their cars ran slower with the vararam.
I might add if you race at E-Town talk to the guys Sat. Most of them said their cars ran slower with the vararam.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 6
From: Edmond ok
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
There is no doubt that any intake other than stock will provide nice gains. What I would like to know is if the VaraRam is any better than the cold air setup that I already have. The Pro-Flow is very similar to the Vortex Rammer in design. Before I go and buy a new radiator shroud to convert, I would like to hear opinions on the subject. Special k is loud and clear in his disapproval
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,152
Likes: 147
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Originally Posted by beary58
As long as you have a filter in the system, I don't see how speed can have much a effect. In general, what ever gains you might get from a ram effect at higher speeds would lost at the filter. The main advantage of the vararam would be the cooler air from in front of the car. It's hard for me to imagine that even on a hot day, the air in front of the vararam intakes would be hoter than the air at the stock intake because the air for the stock intake is being pulled from below the nose which is even closer to the street. Need to test to know for sure
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
The answer to your question is simply.........YES. 
As soon as you start pushing air into those shafts that lead to the TB you'll start to feel some HP. Around 30mph, I can start to feel an ever so slight difference. (IMO)
I can feel it at the lower speeds, but not as much as at the higher speeds (60+mph)
As soon as you start pushing air into those shafts that lead to the TB you'll start to feel some HP. Around 30mph, I can start to feel an ever so slight difference. (IMO)
I can feel it at the lower speeds, but not as much as at the higher speeds (60+mph)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
Correct but I am already drawing cold air in from my Pro-Flow. Sounds like the change would not be too beneficial.
Is the filter sealed around the hole in the radiator shroud?
I will tell you if you are not mechanically inclined the install on a vararam is a pain in the a$$.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,152
Likes: 147
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Originally Posted by JoshVette
The answer to your question is simply.........YES.
As soon as you start pushing air into those shafts that lead to the TB you'll start to feel some HP. Around 30mph, I can start to feel an ever so slight difference. (IMO)
I can feel it at the lower speeds, but not as much as at the higher speeds (60+mph)
As soon as you start pushing air into those shafts that lead to the TB you'll start to feel some HP. Around 30mph, I can start to feel an ever so slight difference. (IMO)
I can feel it at the lower speeds, but not as much as at the higher speeds (60+mph)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
I'm sure that you feel it. But is it that much more than any other cold air intake? I am not going from stock.
I couldnt' tell you, since I went straight from stock air box to the vararam and it was quite noticable to be honest, even at lower speeds as I mentioned.
I've read the vararam will out perform the the blackwing by at least .2 tenths and about .05-.1 tenth over the vortex.........so if you don't have the stock air box, you may not notice it on the low end (my guessing) but you'll definately notice it about 60mph.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 5
From: South East coast Florida
So where did my increase of 38 rwhp come from ?
Not to start another CAI/Header war, but it seems that if you read all the various threads about CAI's, Headers and Cat Back Exhausts, none appear to give you any substantial increase in HP 
. Especially if you choose the Dynatech Headers and its lousy collector system and restrictive pipe size and Cats, like I did 
.
Well I guess I owe my 38 rwhp gain to a Dyno Tune Car must of really been set up bad from the factory. Only dyno'd at 308 prior to the Mod's and tune.
Just being sarcastic, sorry. I have the Vararam setup and besides the filter (went to a modified K&N) I think its a great setup. Of late, you can pick it up for $295 to $310 shipped off the forum as well.
Buy what you feel comfortable with, but there is nothing as cool as standing in front of the fog light ports, and hearing the sound of air being sucked into the car.
. Especially if you choose the Dynatech Headers and its lousy collector system and restrictive pipe size and Cats, like I did . Well I guess I owe my 38 rwhp gain to a Dyno Tune
Car must of really been set up bad from the factory. Only dyno'd at 308 prior to the Mod's and tune.Just being sarcastic, sorry.
I have the Vararam setup and besides the filter (went to a modified K&N) I think its a great setup. Of late, you can pick it up for $295 to $310 shipped off the forum as well. Buy what you feel comfortable with, but there is nothing as cool as standing in front of the fog light ports, and hearing the sound of air being sucked into the car.
Last edited by mowton; Oct 20, 2005 at 09:36 PM.