Vararam Installed...initial thoughts
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 84
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From: Southern NJ
Vararam Installed...initial thoughts
All, i can say is wow....
I switched from a blackwing, and can notice the power difference.
Also a huge improvement in MPG...didn't think it would change that much, but i have driven over 125 miles and seen an improvement of about 5mpg overall.
I am a huge supporter of this product, and as far as install went it was not that bad at all..i took my time and did it in 1.5-2 hours, very easy with simple tools.
I switched from a blackwing, and can notice the power difference.
Also a huge improvement in MPG...didn't think it would change that much, but i have driven over 125 miles and seen an improvement of about 5mpg overall.
I am a huge supporter of this product, and as far as install went it was not that bad at all..i took my time and did it in 1.5-2 hours, very easy with simple tools.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Glad you like the Vararam. I have responded to alot of things here about this, primarily about poor instructions, and not so great quality of the unit. However, the more I drive the car with the Vararam, the more I realize that it has made a huge difference in performance.However, I hope that YOU OILED THE FILTER BEFORE YOU DROVE THE CAR.They don't tell you to do this, and a post by cobraboy helped me realize that if you don't, you will be sucking dirt into your intake, because the filter doesn't work in a C5, unless it is oiled. Someone from Vararam confirmed this. You might also consider getting ZO6 screens to prevent sucking anything into the ducts, which might clog the filter. Aside from that, enjoy the new performance this unit provides.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 893
Likes: 38
From: ATX
Got mine on today, ordered it from LAPD, $305 shipped.
Exact same impression. I had a stinger-style K&N intake; put the vararam on and there was a very noticable difference in performance. Kinda like driving a car when it's 60 out as opposed to 100 degrees out, except twice as good. 2 to 3 tenths are completely believable according to my butt-o-meter. Not sure what it's gonna do to my fuel mileage at this point. I used the K&N oil... for ~$11, their cleaning kit isn't all that overpriced IMO.
I spent about 4 hours in the install, but much of that time was because I had to modify my non-stock air-bridge and I got sidetracked cleaning my radiator/condensor when I saw all the crap in them. Apparently, they're very adept at capturing hair.
Fitment was still somewhat subpar... however the gains more than offset the fitment issues.
By far, the best bang for the buck mod I've done.
Exact same impression. I had a stinger-style K&N intake; put the vararam on and there was a very noticable difference in performance. Kinda like driving a car when it's 60 out as opposed to 100 degrees out, except twice as good. 2 to 3 tenths are completely believable according to my butt-o-meter. Not sure what it's gonna do to my fuel mileage at this point. I used the K&N oil... for ~$11, their cleaning kit isn't all that overpriced IMO.
I spent about 4 hours in the install, but much of that time was because I had to modify my non-stock air-bridge and I got sidetracked cleaning my radiator/condensor when I saw all the crap in them. Apparently, they're very adept at capturing hair.
Fitment was still somewhat subpar... however the gains more than offset the fitment issues.
By far, the best bang for the buck mod I've done.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Installed mine this weekend also. This is the fourth install for me so it went fast. The car really woke up as usual. I have had every intake ont he market, nothing else comes close.................period
Cajun
Cajun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
Where do you get the K & N filter oil? does the oil spray on or what? I've got a B2 and it came w/ a white (maybe slightly grey) filter - is that the filter I'm supposed to put the oil on?
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 84
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From: Southern NJ
damn...i didnt oil it...it seemed oiled though? ok...i will pick up the oil and do it tonight...
I was thinking about ZO6 screens...hmmm....
No codes...computer adjusts almost right away, new ones dont take days to recover like the old ones.
I was thinking about ZO6 screens...hmmm....
No codes...computer adjusts almost right away, new ones dont take days to recover like the old ones.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
JUST spoke w/ Vararam - they recommended coating the white cotton pleated filter w/ oil before using it - Believe it or not, they recommend using WD40!!!! to coat the filter - they said other filter oils contain too much silicone which can end up sticking on the MAF wires, then the MAF wires collect dust and you end up w/ codes. Vararam said just use WD40, said you could even soak the filter w/ it - can't really use too much apparently - spray the side of the filter that the air is entering
Vararam also said the white cotton filter is the best filter for the C5 - the green filter works on the C5, but flows TOO much air and you get computer codes - Vararam said green filter ONLY flows about 10% more air than the white filter, but in that extra 10% airflow is what triggers codes on the C5 - apparently the C6 has a slightly different computer system which compensates for the extra 10% airflow w/ the green filter
FYI!! 
Vararam also said the white cotton filter is the best filter for the C5 - the green filter works on the C5, but flows TOO much air and you get computer codes - Vararam said green filter ONLY flows about 10% more air than the white filter, but in that extra 10% airflow is what triggers codes on the C5 - apparently the C6 has a slightly different computer system which compensates for the extra 10% airflow w/ the green filter
FYI!!
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
JUST spoke w/ Vararam - they recommended coating the white cotton pleated filter w/ oil before using it - Believe it or not, they recommend using WD40!!!! to coat the filter - they said other filter oils contain too much silicone which can end up sticking on the MAF wires, then the MAF wires collect dust and you end up w/ codes. Vararam said just use WD40, said you could even soak the filter w/ it - can't really use too much apparently - spray the side of the filter that the air is entering
Vararam also said the white cotton filter is the best filter for the C5 - the green filter works on the C5, but flows TOO much air and you get computer codes - Vararam said green filter ONLY flows about 10% more air than the white filter, but in that extra 10% airflow is what triggers codes on the C5 - apparently the C6 has a slightly different computer system which compensates for the extra 10% airflow w/ the green filter
FYI!!
Vararam also said the white cotton filter is the best filter for the C5 - the green filter works on the C5, but flows TOO much air and you get computer codes - Vararam said green filter ONLY flows about 10% more air than the white filter, but in that extra 10% airflow is what triggers codes on the C5 - apparently the C6 has a slightly different computer system which compensates for the extra 10% airflow w/ the green filter
FYI!!
Cajun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
My filter is black? How much does it flow? I just put a light coat of Comptech foam filter oil on it, I hope I did the right thing here? Also which side of the filter goes out? I am guessing the side with the wires goes to the rear since the less dense foam is on the other side. Thanks
Cajun
Cajun
do a search for Vararam B2 on the web - their phone number is listed and they were GREAT to talk with - I was able to speak w/ someone IMMEDIATELY
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
iceman, here is the link for vetteshop which seems to have a nice deal on these screens:
http://vetteshop.cc/
My buddy just got them and they look and fit nice.
http://vetteshop.cc/
My buddy just got them and they look and fit nice.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Springfield OH
I installed one last weekend and am enjoying the diffence. I had an K&N filter cold air breather on before and would get occasional 0420 and 0430 codes after installing Dynatech headers. Not sending codes now. The used Vararam kit I installed had a K&N filter so I simply cleaned and oiled with a K&N cleaning/recharge kit.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Issues members have mentioned here.
#1 you have to oil the white filter with the B2.Vararam says WD-40 but I don't think that K&N filter oil ( I got it at Pep Boys) will hurt, since it is made to use on a K&N filter which is what you get with a C5.The oil is tinted red, so you can see where it went, and you can be sure it is completely covered.
#2 If you have a black foam filter, this is ( I think) the older B1 model. Check to see what kind of oil is needed for this.
#3 So far, it has not thrown any codes with me in my car.Just drive the car according to the instructions about a breakin period which means you go about 50 mph for about 50 miles. It seemed to work fine right away.I didn't experience any problems such as surging, pinging, or rough running.
#4 I got ZO6 screens from Mid America Motorworks for $99. There is an Ebay vendor which sells these cheaper, but I'm not sure of the quality( they are made by this vendor). If you want BLING, check out Racemesh chrome screens. They look awesome, but they will cost you alot.
#1 you have to oil the white filter with the B2.Vararam says WD-40 but I don't think that K&N filter oil ( I got it at Pep Boys) will hurt, since it is made to use on a K&N filter which is what you get with a C5.The oil is tinted red, so you can see where it went, and you can be sure it is completely covered.
#2 If you have a black foam filter, this is ( I think) the older B1 model. Check to see what kind of oil is needed for this.
#3 So far, it has not thrown any codes with me in my car.Just drive the car according to the instructions about a breakin period which means you go about 50 mph for about 50 miles. It seemed to work fine right away.I didn't experience any problems such as surging, pinging, or rough running.
#4 I got ZO6 screens from Mid America Motorworks for $99. There is an Ebay vendor which sells these cheaper, but I'm not sure of the quality( they are made by this vendor). If you want BLING, check out Racemesh chrome screens. They look awesome, but they will cost you alot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 893
Likes: 38
From: ATX
No codes so far, and I don't expect any...
Local pep boys/walmart/wherever K&N's are sold; you can usually find it in the filter display.
Local pep boys/walmart/wherever K&N's are sold; you can usually find it in the filter display.
