Most designs are compromises in one way or another. The coupe/vert panels have a fairly small hole in them from the factory. You don't have to worry about having rain soaking the inside of your engine compartment and creating a filthy mess. Since the Z06 is more of a no-compromises car on the side of performance, the screens were designed-in instead. The stock filter box lids follow the same guidelines. The more open the box, the louder the intake noise that intrudes into the passenger compartment. The Z06 lid is opened up a bit more than the coupe/vert's, but Z06 owners are supposed to understand that performance increase comes before quietness constraints.

Wouldn't GM love to quote higher HP figures? You bet, but they, like every other car manufacturer must balance performance with other requirements.

 

As for problems with the Vararam filter not sealing properly, I'd have to concur with the last post. I just installed the newest system, and filter fit does not seem to be a problem. I was a bit apprehensive about the MAF fitting directly into the airbox without any clamps or silicon tubing, but it fit very tightly. I'm amazed that they can mold plastic to such tight tolerances. I was also a little worried about how the filter fits into the box, and that I might not get it exactly right. Well, I know the filter is pressed all the way to the edges of the airbox. It may not sit perfectly flat, but it is there, and it is on the edge, and the air should mostly be pulled through the center anyway, so I'm not concerned at all.

I'd really be more concerned about filters that hang off the end of a tube. If the clamp becomes loose, or if the filter oil has been applied too liberally, the filter could simply fall off. Notice that the stock airbox is bolted in place, and gravity holds the filter on the box...if nothing else. Before I did the zip tie mod to my airbox, I had problems with the airbox clamps coming open by themselves. It was only ever one at a time, but after the zip tie mod, both would open up. I came up with a workaround, but I ordered another intake as soon as I noticed that the problem got worse.

Anyway, the point is that while there may be concerns about the Vararam's filtering capabilities, in my experiences thus far, it's still better (safer) than the stock system.

 

Mark,

You'll also have to admit that when it comes to intake knowledge, there aren't many people who have as much as Jim Hall. Maybe I feel this way because he responds to technical-question posts more than any other intake expert, but after reading many of his posts, I tend to feel that he really knows what he is talking about. Patrick may very well have extensive knowledge as well, but unless he relays some of that knowledge to the potential buyers (via this forum, for instance), how can we compare technical defenses of design? :cheers:

 

The fastest cars on the forum run Vararam. Results.....

 

Well, if you want to get technical about it, take a look at the engine bay of some of the fastest cars in the forum:
http://www.lingenfelter.com/turboviews.asp

Quite frankly, that intake doesn't look like a Vararam!

 

Fair enough and I do have to agree about Jim's knowledge and participation in answering questions, etc :)

And although I really love the design of the Trap, I was less than thrilled about the fit and the bulging of the fan shroud :( I know he did extensive testing of the flow characteristics and anything smaller or less round would have impacted the flow, but I just wasn't pleased with the fit.

But back to the filter stuff....if you look at what Vortex, Blackwing, HallTech, etc use, it's essentially the same material and method of filtration process and that is why, with the innovation of the filter Vararam has come up with, I tend to lean towards the design :) :cheers:

 

Okay, so a turbo system is a better intake system than both the Vararam and Halltech, I'll agree with you there, but there is a big price difference between ram air intakes and forced air induction. :D

 

:nono:

 

As I stated earlier, the only thing I have to go by is the information I obtain here to make a decision on which way to go. I can't buy two very expensive systems and then make a decision, I have to do my research with the tools available, one of them being this forum. I was going the Vararam route until I started reading about issues with the filter. Like anything else, bad news gets press, good news does not. So if there were upgrades/modifications that corrected this issue, they were not brought up in any of the threads I have read. I would dearly love for someone to prove me wrong on this, so any technical data that would do so would be most appreciated.

 

Can the Vortec system get into this fight ? Pound for pound, cost no pbject, Which intake wins ? Trap, Vararam , or Vortec ? ET & Mph ? Forget the looks , power wins races ! :confused:

 

Be proactive if you want the real scoop and call Jim at HallTech then call Patrick at Vararam, quite easy :cheers:

 

Then set up a conference call. That should be interesting! :lurk:

 

I like this idea :lol:. Let's have a round table discussion with Jim and Patrick as our technical experts :grouphug:

 

It would be an interesting conferance call for shure!! The retoric and quoteing SAE paper from jim at halltech, or real hands on know how, from patrick at vararam. I will stick with vararam for intakes and so should you if performance enhancement when driveing down the road is your priority. I have 15,000mi with the vararam with NO filltering problem. Watch out for the scientific proof people, there NOT speeking from personal experience, just fact checkers, and probably more spectator than particepent in races. Not my cup of tea. Each to there own but it's a shame IMHO that so many are being mislead. Just my opinion. Ric

 

Ahhhhh.....it's been quiet lately, and I was afraid the Intake Wars :boxing were over. Apparently, that isn't so! :hurray:

I've been following and enjoying the War Stories for nearly 4 years here. I need my monthly fix of Hall, Vararam, Vortex, TwinFlow, screens, mythical ram air, laminar flow, turbulent flow, TRICs and TRAPs and Power Ducts and couplers and Blackwings and things and on and on and on.........

 

You've become addicted. You must fight these cravings for they lead only to the agony of trying each and every one of these "improvements' and discovering too late, that there isn't a dimes worth of difference between any of them and a modified stock lid or a zip tie mod :jester . If so then let someone prove it.


[Modified by EB20003, 10:51 PM 11/24/2003]

 

SPELL CHECK ALERT.

I had a Vararam for about 1 week. I lost power with it. After I sent it back to Vararam, the designer installed it on his own car and lost 4 or 5 mph. How can this be possible with such a great airbox?? I did not have this problem w/the TRAP, though both it and the Vararam completely screw up the MAF's ability to measure air as proven scientifically by datalog and fuel trims. The aftermarket air box that makes the most power is the one that corrupts the least airflow through the meter. In my case, the TRAP.

 

Could someone please, for the last time, answer (Ok, opinion will do) what the water damage compromises are with the stock intake, Z06 differences, Vararam (or any open-to outside-air systems), and filter-only replacement filters (i.e. no filter box as stock)?? I would love to upgrade the stock system, but are the reasons the front ducts are closed and filter covered with the plastic lid for noise as stated in previous posts or is it for water protection? Don't the systems which suck air in the radiator shroud/front ducts have a serious chance of water ingestion from splashing up from other vehicles, etc? If the ducts being closed is for water protection, then how can the Z06 have them open (does it? I really don't know) and only screens over the ducts?

Bottom line, if the system limitations are there for noise, as previously stated, then my decision is easy. If it's a water hazard....what about Z06 differences......etc etc.

 

The TRAP is enclosed under the shroud of the car and is not likely to suck water. Obviously the Vararam has direct entry through the screens. However, with a filter in place and the sharp turn the tubes make, I can't see it easily happening.
If you drive through a foot of water, I guess you know what to expect though.

 

The mods on my Z06 are a VR airbox and some minor LS1Edit tweaks. I am far from being an expert driver and this is what my car runs on the OEM Eagle F1 SC tires. It is safe to say that the VR did not cause a loss of power.