Vararam Power Duct install (Help!!!!)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 144
Vararam Power Duct install (Help!!!!)
Hey guys hope everyone had a Merry Christmas,
My 2004 Z16/Z06 got a Vararam and a Vararam Power Duct from Santa!
Installed the Vararam today without much trouble...very little cursing involved
Now to the problem...there is no way I can get my MAF installed in the backend of their power duct. I called the tech line (also waiting for an E-mail reply-hope they see it here) he said they are engineered for a tight fit (which is good and makes perfect sense) and that I should use a hair dryer to heat the duct for easier MAF installation. I've spent the last 1 1/2 hrs using a "hot" hair dryer, increasing the bevel of the duct slightly with crocus paper, but still nothing.
I'm 6'4 and 230# so I'm puting pretty good torque, leverage AND weight on it but still can't get the MAF to slide in. I think it's either going to take a "Press"
or 
to get it in.
C'mon guys, all you gear heads and Brainiacs out there ....help!
Thanks in advance.................Jim
My 2004 Z16/Z06 got a Vararam and a Vararam Power Duct from Santa!
Installed the Vararam today without much trouble...very little cursing involved
Now to the problem...there is no way I can get my MAF installed in the backend of their power duct. I called the tech line (also waiting for an E-mail reply-hope they see it here) he said they are engineered for a tight fit (which is good and makes perfect sense) and that I should use a hair dryer to heat the duct for easier MAF installation. I've spent the last 1 1/2 hrs using a "hot" hair dryer, increasing the bevel of the duct slightly with crocus paper, but still nothing.
I'm 6'4 and 230# so I'm puting pretty good torque, leverage AND weight on it but still can't get the MAF to slide in. I think it's either going to take a "Press"
or to get it in.C'mon guys, all you gear heads and Brainiacs out there ....help!
Thanks in advance.................Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Assuming it is supposed to fit where you are installing it (I only say this because it sounds different than when I installed mine), use some silicone grease (Autozone should have it) which is used for spark plug boots, etc. Make dis-assembly easier later as well.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 144
Yea, it's suppose to fit in the rear location ahead of the throttlebody instead of up front after the duct. I tried some WD40, haven't tried the silicone grease though.
I may just have to ream or lightly grind the inside of the duct until I can force ithe MAF in there so I still have a tight and leak free assembly.
Thanks All
Jim
I may just have to ream or lightly grind the inside of the duct until I can force ithe MAF in there so I still have a tight and leak free assembly.
Thanks All
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Yea, it's suppose to fit in the rear location ahead of the throttlebody instead of up front after the duct. I tried some WD40, haven't tried the silicone grease though.
I may just have to ream or lightly grind the inside of the duct until I can force ithe MAF in there so I still have a tight and leak free assembly.
Thanks All
Jim
I may just have to ream or lightly grind the inside of the duct until I can force ithe MAF in there so I still have a tight and leak free assembly.
Thanks All
Jim
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: ft. Worth tx.
Had a little problem with tight fit too.I had to resort to silicone spray on couplers & MAF body ,worked like a charm.The MAF should fit in front of the TB when you lube with this spay lightly.No grease or oil to get near the MAF area!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 144
I bought the new powerduct but have not yet installed it....
I momentarily gave up after trying again today to get that MAF installed...no luck again
I reinstalled the factory air bridge...everything lined up fine with my new Vararam.
I'm waiting to see what the tech's at Vararam say...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 2
From: prescott arizona
I installed my Vararam about 2 weeks ago and used my stock airbridge for about a 200 mile run to see if I was going to get any codes or a check engine light. Everything was O.K. so I then installed the Vararam Power Duct and it was a very tight fit with my MAF. Forget the hair dryer, doesn't get the Power Duct hot enough, you will need a heat gun to do the trick. My most difficult time was trying to fit everything together in one piece from the throttle body to the Vararam cold air filter box. DO NOT PUT ANY CLAMPS ON ANYTHING until everything is installed and lined up. Also your hood will not shut as it did originaly, you will have to SLAM IT HARD to get both sides to latch properly. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 144
Thanks all for the reply...haven't tried the Heat gun trick
SLAM IT HARD? 
I'll keep you posted!
I installed my Vararam about 2 weeks ago and used my stock airbridge for about a 200 mile run to see if I was going to get any codes or a check engine light. Everything was O.K. so I then installed the Vararam Power Duct and it was a very tight fit with my MAF. Forget the hair dryer, doesn't get the Power Duct hot enough, you will need a heat gun to do the trick. My most difficult time was trying to fit everything together in one piece from the throttle body to the Vararam cold air filter box. DO NOT PUT ANY CLAMPS ON ANYTHING until everything is installed and lined up. Also your hood will not shut as it did originaly, you will have to SLAM IT HARD to get both sides to latch properly. Good Luck.
let us know what VaraRam Industries suggests
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: marysville california
i still have a problem with my power duct there are two one is for 97 to2000 the other is for 2001 to 2004 ==here is my post http://http://forums.corvetteforum.c...post1568188395
DONT SLAM YOUR HOOD==Also your hood will not shut as it did originaly, you will have to SLAM IT HARD to get both sides to latch properly.
DONT SLAM YOUR HOOD==Also your hood will not shut as it did originaly, you will have to SLAM IT HARD to get both sides to latch properly.
Last edited by thezman; Dec 28, 2008 at 01:42 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Did you follow the instructions carefully? You have to use the slip-fit coupler, in addition to the regular coupler, and though it's a bit of a tussle, mine wasn't that difficult. I didn't use any heat, or grease, either.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 9
From: Charlotte, NC
I've had the same problem. Supposedly the only difference between the 97-00 and the 01-04 Vararam airbridges was the addition of the temperature sensor hole in the 97-00 (the temperature sensor is incorporated into the 01-04 MAF so an extra hole in the air bridge is not necessary).
The LS6 MAF that I'm using (85mm) is not even close to fitting inside the Vararam airbridge. I've not tried heating the airbridge yet (or cooling the MAF), but I don't understand why they would build it this way instead of merely using another rubber coupler.
If others could post their solutions, hopefully with any pictures for guidance, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
-Jeff
The LS6 MAF that I'm using (85mm) is not even close to fitting inside the Vararam airbridge. I've not tried heating the airbridge yet (or cooling the MAF), but I don't understand why they would build it this way instead of merely using another rubber coupler.
If others could post their solutions, hopefully with any pictures for guidance, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
-Jeff
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
Dude.....send me your email and i'll send you pics....this is the easy part of the install...if you did the ram air this should be easy...mine is an 02 z and I didn't use any lube or heat...
Last edited by 02_Z06; Dec 30, 2008 at 07:44 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Monrovia California
[QUOTE=02_Z06;1568376908]Dude.....send me your email and i'll send you pics....this is the easy part of the install...if you did the ram air this should be easy...mine is an 02 z and I didn't use any lube or heat...
[/QUOTE
how does your hood close do you have to slam it
[/QUOTEhow does your hood close do you have to slam it