Vararam or halltech stinger
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
I don't have actual first had experience yet. I currently have the Stinger installed and did see some real gains after it was installed and tuned. I think 7 HP or so on the dyno. I have a Vararam waiting to be installed. I think the Vararam will out perform the Stinger simply because it is an actual Cold Air Intake system. But that is not the reason I purchased the Vararam. On my car the Stinger interferes with the hood and causes a larger gap on the front of the hood. I'm expecting the Vararam to correct this issue.
YMMV
Dave
YMMV
Dave
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 3
From: NW Chicago, IL/Clearwater Beach, FL
same issue, i have the stinger now....looking to buy the vararam. now i have to find a new air bridge threw my old one out.....
Last edited by birch64; May 4, 2008 at 05:56 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 1
Vara Ram II
I installed a Vara Ram II on my 2001 A4 a year ago. Pretty straight-forward installation with good results. Better seat-of-the-pants throttle response. The cold air intakes are at the front of he car and are pressurised at speed providing increased performance over those systems not pressurised. I am happy with the results and would do it again. I hope this helps. 
Roger T
Roger T
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 6
From: Santa Clarita CA
Just do some searching, there's a ton of info in the forums as well as the manufacturer's websites. Vararam = up to 43Hp gains on a stock C5, and .3 to .5 seconds of your 1/4 time guaranteed or they'll buy it back! You're not going to find that guarantee from any other manufactuer which says it all. Only problem is that installation is a PITA especially compared with other brands that don't siphon air in from outside the car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 3
From: NW Chicago, IL/Clearwater Beach, FL
Definitely going to see better performance out of the Vararam, especially in actual driving conditions (no doubt on the dyno too, but more so on the road). Of course Halltech owners are going to defend them, and they're certainly an improvement over stock (anything is), but I don't think there's any question over which one is going to yield more gains. Here's a link on Vararam's website entitled "Vararam vs. the competition" which you might find interesting: http://www.vararam.com/competition.html
Just do some searching, there's a ton of info in the forums as well as the manufacturer's websites. Vararam = up to 43Hp gains on a stock C5, and .3 to .5 seconds of your 1/4 time guaranteed or they'll buy it back! You're not going to find that guarantee from any other manufactuer which says it all. Only problem is that installation is a PITA especially compared with other brands that don't siphon air in from outside the car.
Just do some searching, there's a ton of info in the forums as well as the manufacturer's websites. Vararam = up to 43Hp gains on a stock C5, and .3 to .5 seconds of your 1/4 time guaranteed or they'll buy it back! You're not going to find that guarantee from any other manufactuer which says it all. Only problem is that installation is a PITA especially compared with other brands that don't siphon air in from outside the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
Vararam IMHO. Outside air is cooler than air in the engine compartment so any of the available true CAI will be preferable to the filters in the engine bay. Cooler air = more available hp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
my take on Stinger vs Vararam
I went from a Halltech Stinger to a Vararam on a H/C car.
With the Stinger and MT DRs on Magnesium rims w/ Magnesium stock fronts I went 11.60@120 w/ a 1.60 60'.
With the Vararam and CCW drag pack I went 11.20@123 w/ a 1.51 60'.
Air was pretty close to identical. So I gained .4 with the drag pack and Vararam. Figure I gained .15 from the improved 60' and another .15 from the drag pack so that would leave .1 of a gain from the Vararam. I did pick up a consistant 3 MPH average trap as well(even though the 60's went down).
Now this is by no means "scientific" but I am confident that I did pick up a decent amount with the Vararam. If you don't own either and are looking to choose between the two I would say Vararam hands down. If you already have the Stinger I would personally stick with it unless you are looking to get every last hundreth of a second at the track.
With the Stinger and MT DRs on Magnesium rims w/ Magnesium stock fronts I went 11.60@120 w/ a 1.60 60'.
With the Vararam and CCW drag pack I went 11.20@123 w/ a 1.51 60'.
Air was pretty close to identical. So I gained .4 with the drag pack and Vararam. Figure I gained .15 from the improved 60' and another .15 from the drag pack so that would leave .1 of a gain from the Vararam. I did pick up a consistant 3 MPH average trap as well(even though the 60's went down).
Now this is by no means "scientific" but I am confident that I did pick up a decent amount with the Vararam. If you don't own either and are looking to choose between the two I would say Vararam hands down. If you already have the Stinger I would personally stick with it unless you are looking to get every last hundreth of a second at the track.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 6
From: Santa Clarita CA
.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Dyno-wise, the numbers are almost identical. Add my cold air mod to the Halltech and I'm confident that there won't be a significant difference on the road, either. The advantage of bringing cold air up from underneath is that you not only keep the intake air cool, but you also cool off the engine bay and all its electronics, rubber hoses, and plastic parts - stuff that'll cook if you run the Vararam and headers.
The cold air mod can be found here:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Even if you delete the air scoop, some cold air will still make its way up at the air filter. The difference in intake temperatures is dramatic after sitting at a stoplight and/or in stop&go traffic. I measured up to 40 degreesF differences between the Halltech/no cold air and the Halltech/cold air setups, in intake temperatures, using a "Car Chip" data logging device.
You shouldn't compare a Vararam to a Stinger; you should compare a CAI Stinger to a Vararam.
The cold air mod can be found here:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Even if you delete the air scoop, some cold air will still make its way up at the air filter. The difference in intake temperatures is dramatic after sitting at a stoplight and/or in stop&go traffic. I measured up to 40 degreesF differences between the Halltech/no cold air and the Halltech/cold air setups, in intake temperatures, using a "Car Chip" data logging device.
You shouldn't compare a Vararam to a Stinger; you should compare a CAI Stinger to a Vararam.