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Vararam Filter Mystery

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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:34 PM
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Default Vararam Filter Mystery

So I've had my car about 5 weeks and the guy I got it from gave me a K&N pre oiled filter for the vararam and suggested I put it in because it would flow better than what was in there. So I opened the airbox tonight and found this weird filter in there! I don't think this is what comes with the vararam but I honestly don't know. Hoping someone knows what this is and if the pre oiled K&N (33-2522) is better. Also will the pre oiled filter cause the problems with oil getting on the MAS like I hear other forum members having?? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.



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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:37 PM
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that looks like a home made filter
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:42 PM
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i believe the vararam filter should be green...
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by cgm12mgc
i believe the vararam filter should be green...
correct..but that one fits too
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mickey_7106
that looks like a home made filter
That was my guess. It has hot melt glue holding it together. It is oiled and it's pretty thin so it probably flows pretty well.
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Munch
That was my guess. It has hot melt glue holding it together. It is oiled and it's pretty thin so it probably flows pretty well.



Its the older vararam filter. I have the same one in mine. I believe you used to have the option of the pleated filter or the foam one when you bought it.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 08:12 AM
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When I installed my K&N, I siliconed it in place after trimming for an exact fit. Needless to say, no leaks whatsoever.

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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by convertz
Its the older vararam filter. I have the same one in mine. I believe you used to have the option of the pleated filter or the foam one when you bought it.
I concur....
You can order the "B2 version upgrade" for about 100 bucks that will give you a real K&N filter and new top portion that will look like this


BTW using silicone is a great idea....mind If I swipe that one....
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 12:15 PM
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My Vararam with the original foam filters they sent.


The K&N I ordered




The Baja filter I got from Vararam






I posted a thread several years ago about adding extra locking latches to better seal the airbox.

Last edited by Patches; Dec 29, 2008 at 12:17 PM.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 01:13 PM
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I am still running that foam filter in my Vararam. I have the new cloth one and have been waiting for the original foam one to bite the dust...
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Patches
My Vararam with the original foam filters they sent.
Very informative, thanks. I see you also purchased the Chihuahua upgrade package, good for an additional 2HP!
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Munch
Very informative, thanks. I see you also purchased the Chihuahua upgrade package, good for an additional 2HP!
You know, they always manage to get in my pics when I'm trying to get a shot of mods.

Note the Chi in the background. Here . . .


. . . and, again, another Chi here.


Anyway, to the OP, I've had great luck with the foam filter for several thousand miles. My TB is always clean as a whistle. Also, the foam Baja filter flows better than the K&N.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
When I installed my K&N, I siliconed it in place after trimming for an exact fit. Needless to say, no leaks whatsoever.
How do you clean your filter if it's siliconed in? I guess I'm assuming that you're sealing it in place...
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 12:44 AM
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Cleaning is easy. Just remove it from the car and wash it with soap and water using the garden hose. Then lightly spray it after it dries with WD-40 and reinstall. I siliconed mine with Locktite clear silicone sealer from W Mart. I ran a bead on the top of the filter and a bead around the inside top edge of the VR upper piece. Installed the filter then ran a bead and filled in all the gaps all around the filter. Ain't nuthin getting past the filter now. Anyone who doesn't seal their filter is begging for trouble down the road. I have the new improved B2 and it let sand and 1 blade of dried grass around the filter. In fact the gum from the foam gaskets all had sand stuck to it past the filter which was what made me decide to seal it for good.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Camjamsdad
Cleaning is easy. Just remove it from the car and wash it with soap and water using the garden hose. Then lightly spray it after it dries with WD-40 and reinstall. I siliconed mine with Locktite clear silicone sealer from W Mart. I ran a bead on the top of the filter and a bead around the inside top edge of the VR upper piece. Installed the filter then ran a bead and filled in all the gaps all around the filter. Ain't nuthin getting past the filter now. Anyone who doesn't seal their filter is begging for trouble down the road. I have the new improved B2 and it let sand and 1 blade of dried grass around the filter. In fact the gum from the foam gaskets all had sand stuck to it past the filter which was what made me decide to seal it for good.
The only reason why I haven't installed mine is because I noticed the filter will not seal properly just by looking at it. It's a great idea ramming the air through the nose but I think Vararam should have made the filter seal better from both sides. I like the silicone idea. I might consider that if I can't get the rubber gaskets to seal better with some slight modifications.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 09:27 AM
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For those worried that even the Baja foam filter can't do its job, here's a shot of my TB after several thousand miles with no cleaning. Also, no extra sealing off of the filter other than the extra latches I added for better sealing of the air box (pictured above). I have the original V1 version.

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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Patches
For those worried that even the Baja foam filter can't do its job, here's a shot of my TB after several thousand miles with no cleaning. Also, no extra sealing off of the filter other than the extra latches I added for better sealing of the air box (pictured above). I have the original V1 version.

That looks good other than the hole that a small rock must have put in the throttle blade.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by vsocks1
That looks good other than the hole that a small rock must have put in the throttle blade.
Of course, I knew I would get comments on the tuning hole in the blade. This was done way back when the tuners didn't know any better and even LS1Edit was not out. I had the car dyno-tuned after I did h/c and asked the tuner not to drill the TB but he did anyway. I have since retuned myself with EFI Live. The hole will be filled this spring and idle tuning redone.
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Patches
Of course, I knew I would get comments on the tuning hole in the blade. This was done way back when the tuners didn't know any better and even LS1Edit was not out. I had the car dyno-tuned after I did h/c and asked the tuner not to drill the TB but he did anyway. I have since retuned myself with EFI Live. The hole will be filled this spring and idle tuning redone.
No disrespect intended - just having a little fun!
So for those of you using silicone...how does that work when you go to remove filter for cleaning? I assume it comes off well and you just redo it when you put it back in?

Last edited by vsocks1; Dec 30, 2008 at 12:04 PM.
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