Hey guys, I been searching the forums and even google for help regarding my question. But, I have a 2001 c5 Coupe base model with fog lights and I've installed most of the vararam, the scoops are in, the filters on, I'm currently in the middle of trying to get the pain in the *** radiation/ac condensor shroud back over, seems like it keeps bowing at the bottom due to the intake being so pressed up against it. but my main question is about the mounting of the ducts... I put two bolts in each one, and secured the v trim bolts (which btw the stupid 3m adhesive stuff the bolt holes were drilled completely far off from where they line up and i had to drill my own in. But the problem I had is that I feel the ducts dont line up very well, i mean their in the right area but it feels like it hangs really low, cutting out like the top half of the fog light. I've read somewhere that you can use 3 bolts (i only used two), but this guy had a zo6, so i don't know if theres anything different about them... or if I am missing a bolt but i Dont see it physically possible to put another bolt in anywhere. Im not sure if this is how its supposed to fit (because vararam has ****** quality fitment) or if I just suck lol. So any suggestions would be great, thanks guys!

 

Which Vararam is it? The one sold now is the second generation which is intended to be mounted loosely giving room to flex and wiggle.

 

It's the new one.. got it in. The wiggle helps but its still such a nightmare there is no room for the ram air tubes. So tight up against the shroud that I prbly won't be able to pop the top of the intake off to clean the filter! Lol

 

I installed mine and after just a minute of trying to put the shroud back on i realized it wouldn't fit correctly so i just left it off. I haven't noticed any increase in temps and the vararam basically works as a shroud for it anyways directing air to the radiator. As for you other problems I had the same issues and think my fog lights are nothing more then decoration since the vararam has been on since they dont line up right with the holes.

 

Given the popularity of their product I cannot understand why vararam doesn't put a little effort/$$ into the fit and finish of their product. The performance is excellent but the fit and finish looks like something a middle school student put together in tech-ed.

I've helped put a few of these in and all I can tell you is that if you loosen the bolts again, wiggle everything around a few times, realign everything all over again, modify/fab as needed here and there eventually it'll fit. WAAAAAAY harder than it should be.

Also, you should fill out your profile so we can see more about your car and your location. There may be a member nearby who's had some experience with this that would be willing to give you a hand.

 

Lol that's one way to do it... Must've been a breeze. I almost did that but didn't want a simple intake install to defeat me lol.. how's the gain? Haven't tested it out yet

 

Will do cdkcorvette, thanks a lot.

 

Mine fits very tight against the shroud as well, As far as the 3 M Gaskets I cut mine to fit better. I to had issues with the way it fit the fog lights but to be honest after install looking at the car from the front you cant even tell really.

 

Ya, I'm in same boat as you, doesn't look bad. Just so tight against the shroud I'm scares to pull the filter off lol

 

I've read so many nightmares about this intake system. Glad to those that enjoy it but at this point I'll pass. Is it worth all the PIA for a few ponies?

 

If I gain .2-.3 and 2+mph in the 1/4 like I've heard... most definitely worth the aggravation IMO

 

Just noticed this part of the thread. FWIW I wouldn't leave the fan shroud off... The purpose of the shroud is to direct air from the fans through the radiator. Not having it wouldn't make any difference at speed but might and probably would sitting in stop and go traffic on a hot day.

Combine no shroud with dirt, sand, rocks, candy wrappers, diapers, small animals and pretty much anything else laying on the road that gets sucked up between the radiator and condensor on these cars and you'll have a pretty serious overheating issue on your hands if you ever drive in traffic.

Just take your time and do it right. If you fight with it enough it'll go on. I wonder if anyone from R&D at a vararam ever reads any of the install nightmare threads on the internet...

 

Lol... I ended up getting mine on, installed the clips onto the condensor first. When I took the shroud off I had soooo much stuff on my condensor, leaves, dirt, hay lol

 

Vararam may give good gains but they ARE MADE LIKE JUNK. I installed mine with all 4 screws and it put a dimple(disfigured) in my nose. When I realized this I removed the screws but the dimple stayed. Now when you snap the filter housing together there is slop at the clasps. Definatlely sucking in air. WTF?? I finally sealed the filter to the housing with silicone caulk.

 

Has anyone installed a Vararam in a C5 with Tiger Shark nose?
If so, pls PM me.

Tks, W.

 

If you have to, seperate the foglight surrounds from the air ducts and use some nut clips and body bolts to hold it together. You can open the holes a bit and this gives you another spot where you can adjust it a bit.

Not sure what you mean by 3 bolts but the fog-light surrounds should have 3 bolts holding them on if thats what you're referring to.

I would recommend you look closely at the filter to upper housing fit. I had an old design and "upgraded" to the new filter and upper housing. I ended up keeping the old housing and using RTV to seal the filter into the housing. The filter had gaps between it and the piece of foam in the new housing meaning it would pass unfiltered air. The size of the new housing make it harder to fit between the bumper bar and the rad ducting, to the point it wouldn't go in there right. The old housing actually drops in place much easier. So, that was $40 or $50 I wasted buying that new piece...

Also, the foglights can be moved on their brackets to line them up to the holes again. No big deal, I think it's just one bolt to loosen then you hold the light in place and tighten again.

 

Yes I did notice a little bit of space between the filter and the housing in the middle of the longer sides,i thought it was fine.. I should seal it but I'm scared to take the upper housing off as I barely got it on

 

I don't understand why people continue to buy these things if they are such junk.

Is the Callaway Honker a better product?

 

It was a pain in the *** to get in but it fits good now and looks good. I think it was worth my time to have an actual system that uses ram air and get those highway speed gains of like 20-30 h.p over other intakes. Plus if it was that much of a pain for you, you could just pay someone else to install it lol. That's just my opinion, but I'm all about performance only. I'm that guy with 4.10s and going to have a massive cam lol

 

I want to do either the vararam or the callaway. I don't mind it being a pain to install. I just want to make sure it will look good and work properly when installed.