Looks like I gotta wait 'til tomorrow...
comments on vara ram intake
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
comments on vara ram intake
i'm looking for feedback on the vara ram intake. i was thinking about the K&N FIPK, blackwing or halltech stinger, but since they're all about the same price as the vara ram (or more) i figured i'd ask.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 143
From: Goodyear Az
I don't have any personal experience with it, but this has been asked before and the general consensus seems to be that it works well but some people don't like the fit/finish of the Vararam compared to other products. But purely from a performance perspective it flat out works.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I put my Vararam on as a rainy morning project usuing CajunDude's instruction 
I am very pleased with the performance. Like others, I used the slip fit installation method ( did not bother to bolt it into place) that helped the fit/alignment immensely.
It gives improved acceleration and gas mileage( +1 mpg avg hiway/city)
I have driven it thru torrential downpours and even thru 2-3 inches of standing water with NO issues.
I still have the foam filter in place, although I have bought the replacement cloth filter touse when the foam one bites the dust.
I am a fan of Vararam.
I am very pleased with the performance. Like others, I used the slip fit installation method ( did not bother to bolt it into place) that helped the fit/alignment immensely.
It gives improved acceleration and gas mileage( +1 mpg avg hiway/city)
I have driven it thru torrential downpours and even thru 2-3 inches of standing water with NO issues.
I still have the foam filter in place, although I have bought the replacement cloth filter touse when the foam one bites the dust.
I am a fan of Vararam.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I have vararam on my 02 Z06 and yes, it works well. I have driven in very heavy down pours without any issues other than a couple of MAF codes caused by the really wet air moving through the MAF.
I added stainless works headers, 3' mid section with x pipe, ported TB and the vararam at the same time. My performance went way up but my fuel mileage suffered. It went from 28-30 highway down to 23. Had it tuned and now I'm back to 27-28 Highway. The vararam can plat havoc with your MAF calibration and you may need to get a good tune.
I had little or no installation issues and the fitment was OK. (nothing to write home about!!)
I drove my 06 coupe to Carsile PA last week and on the way back (Sunday night) we had 6" of rain here in CT.
I would have to say that if I had been driving the 02 Z06, I would have had to pull over and would have to have waited out the storm!!!!! As it was, I was getting water in the STOCK (UN-Modified) air box!!!!!!! 
In those condition, FORGETABOUT!
DO NOT drive your vararam equipped car in deep puddles!!!
Bill C
I added stainless works headers, 3' mid section with x pipe, ported TB and the vararam at the same time. My performance went way up but my fuel mileage suffered. It went from 28-30 highway down to 23. Had it tuned and now I'm back to 27-28 Highway. The vararam can plat havoc with your MAF calibration and you may need to get a good tune.
I had little or no installation issues and the fitment was OK. (nothing to write home about!!)
I drove my 06 coupe to Carsile PA last week and on the way back (Sunday night) we had 6" of rain here in CT.
I would have to say that if I had been driving the 02 Z06, I would have had to pull over and would have to have waited out the storm!!!!! As it was, I was getting water in the STOCK (UN-Modified) air box!!!!!!! In those condition, FORGETABOUT!DO NOT drive your vararam equipped car in deep puddles!!!
Bill C
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ohio
I switched from a Blackwing to a Vararam and have no complaints or regrets. You get honest outside temperature air with this system. Installation took about 2 hours, but good things are rarely easy.
With LT's, LS6 intake and Vararam I managed a best time of 12.20@115with my 99FRC.
Good luck.
With LT's, LS6 intake and Vararam I managed a best time of 12.20@115with my 99FRC.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
Originally Posted by rws.1
I put my Vararam on as a rainy morning project usuing CajunDude's instruction
I am very pleased with the performance. Like others, I used the slip fit installation method ( did not bother to bolt it into place) that helped the fit/alignment immensely.
It gives improved acceleration and gas mileage( +1 mpg avg hiway/city)
I have driven it thru torrential downpours and even thru 2-3 inches of standing water with NO issues.
I still have the foam filter in place, although I have bought the replacement cloth filter touse when the foam one bites the dust.
I am a fan of Vararam.
I am very pleased with the performance. Like others, I used the slip fit installation method ( did not bother to bolt it into place) that helped the fit/alignment immensely.
It gives improved acceleration and gas mileage( +1 mpg avg hiway/city)
I have driven it thru torrential downpours and even thru 2-3 inches of standing water with NO issues.
I still have the foam filter in place, although I have bought the replacement cloth filter touse when the foam one bites the dust.
I am a fan of Vararam.
I re-installed mine w/ the slip-fit method (no inner bolts on the fog light surrounds) and have had no problems since. The grey (good) and green (better flow) filters are similar to K&N quality. I highly recommend it.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by TheRadioFlyer
i'm looking for feedback on the vara ram intake. i was thinking about the K&N FIPK, blackwing or halltech stinger, but since they're all about the same price as the vara ram (or more) i figured i'd ask.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 5
From: Toronto Ontario
I don't understand why people have such a problem with the fit and finish of the Vararam. Who gives a crap on what the bloody thing looks like! Are they buying it to look at it or get the performance gains from it? I bought mine to go faster and so did my buddy and let me tell you that this thing works.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,267
Likes: 40
From: Phoenix AZ
Had the Vararam, it worked good. But, it was a pain to install and was kinda flimsy and didnt fit that great. I was always worried about the filter housing leaking dirty air into my engine.
Now have the Honker. It works just as good. Fit and finish is almost like OEM quality. I think its the way to go. Plus no stock air bridge and closer MAF. Looks better, performs the same, bigger filter area, easier to change filter, installs easier. Just my 2 cents, the Honker wins overall.
Now have the Honker. It works just as good. Fit and finish is almost like OEM quality. I think its the way to go. Plus no stock air bridge and closer MAF. Looks better, performs the same, bigger filter area, easier to change filter, installs easier. Just my 2 cents, the Honker wins overall.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
I have no argument that the Honker is superior in quality..
BUT, just yesterday we had a typical out-of-the-blue thunderstorm, with a good 2 inches of water on the roads..
I'm running coil-overs, but with a very reasonable ride height.. The issue is my air dam which by design is engineered to force air directly up into the area where the Honker receives its supply, I guarantee you at speed my dam would scoop up the water and soak this area of the shroud.
If you EVER drive the car in hard rain, or don't live in an area like I do where standing water and HUGE, hydroplaning puddles are present on both surface streets and the freeway, Vararam is a superior product.
BUT, just yesterday we had a typical out-of-the-blue thunderstorm, with a good 2 inches of water on the roads..
I'm running coil-overs, but with a very reasonable ride height.. The issue is my air dam which by design is engineered to force air directly up into the area where the Honker receives its supply, I guarantee you at speed my dam would scoop up the water and soak this area of the shroud.
If you EVER drive the car in hard rain, or don't live in an area like I do where standing water and HUGE, hydroplaning puddles are present on both surface streets and the freeway, Vararam is a superior product.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 250
From: CT
Originally Posted by gpracer1
Had the Vararam, it worked good. But, it was a pain to install and was kinda flimsy and didnt fit that great. I was always worried about the filter housing leaking dirty air into my engine.
Now have the Honker. It works just as good. Fit and finish is almost like OEM quality. I think its the way to go. Plus no stock air bridge and closer MAF. Looks better, performs the same, bigger filter area, easier to change filter, installs easier. Just my 2 cents, the Honker wins overall.
Now have the Honker. It works just as good. Fit and finish is almost like OEM quality. I think its the way to go. Plus no stock air bridge and closer MAF. Looks better, performs the same, bigger filter area, easier to change filter, installs easier. Just my 2 cents, the Honker wins overall.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 20
From: Georgetown SC
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by gpracer1
Had the Vararam, it worked good. But, it was a pain to install and was kinda flimsy and didnt fit that great. I was always worried about the filter housing leaking dirty air into my engine.
Now have the Honker. It works just as good. Fit and finish is almost like OEM quality. I think its the way to go. Plus no stock air bridge and closer MAF. Looks better, performs the same, bigger filter area, easier to change filter, installs easier. Just my 2 cents, the Honker wins overall.
Now have the Honker. It works just as good. Fit and finish is almost like OEM quality. I think its the way to go. Plus no stock air bridge and closer MAF. Looks better, performs the same, bigger filter area, easier to change filter, installs easier. Just my 2 cents, the Honker wins overall.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Originally Posted by BanditDude
I re-installed mine w/ the slip-fit method (no inner bolts on the fog light surrounds) and have had no problems since. The grey (good) and green (better flow) filters are similar to K&N quality. I highly recommend it.
Glad to see that worked out for you..
I was just going to post that.. Saves a ton of time from screwing around...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Originally Posted by Dan_the_C5_Man
"piece of garbage" is a bit harsh, I wouldn't go that far. If it was, it wouldn't be on any car I owned.
Ironic... badly engineered product won't go on this...
C.H.E.V.R.O.L.E.T.
Constantly Having Every Vehicle Recalled Over Lousy Engineering Techniques
Just playin bro...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
Originally Posted by ROJO99
I switched from a Blackwing to a Vararam and have no complaints or regrets. You get honest outside temperature air with this system. Installation took about 2 hours, but good things are rarely easy.
With LT's, LS6 intake and Vararam I managed a best time of 12.20@115with my 99FRC.
Good luck.
With LT's, LS6 intake and Vararam I managed a best time of 12.20@115with my 99FRC.
Good luck.