Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,306
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Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems
I've had vararam on for a while now, but i'm getting tired of the sealing problem. I don't want to change intakes, I love the vararam, but I need a way to get it sealed better. Looking down at the intake, the top lines up ok, but underneath it leaks real bad. I can tell the difference in performance. Any ideas? I've been using duct tape for a while now and it works ok, but i want something a little better. It looks kinda gay with duct tape on it. I want it to seal really good, and still be somewhat easy to get it apart to get to the filter. Thanks. Jon
Le Mans Master
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From: 2007 Nat'l Corvette Challenge 11.50 index Champ. New Jersey
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
How can you tell it leaks?? Give Vararam a call. I had them make me a new lid for the air filter because mine wasn't closing properly. I don't think it was leaking. My performance is there.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (Dr.Ron)
This is going to be kinda tricky to explain, but i'll do my best. Imagine you popped the hood and your looking down at the system. Where the 2 peices of the box connect to form the airbox the top part is ok. Imagine if you pushed down on the airbox, the bottom underneath would seperate. Thats how mine always sits. Underneath, its seperated with a little gap. It doesn't seem to line up properly. I know it leaks because I took an air compressor and shot air in the front bumper scoop and I put my hand by the opening underneath. I could feel the air rushing out. When I seal it with duct tape real tight, the air doesn't leak out when I test it with the air compressor. The only problem with the duct tape is sometimes when I run the car up to triple digits, the tape cant handle the air and seperates a little. This causes it to start leaking again, without me noticing while I'm driving.
If I call vararam, I don't really know what to ask for.
How can you tell it leaks?? Give Vararam a call. I had them make me a new lid for the air filter because mine wasn't closing properly. I don't think it was leaking. My performance is there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Tyler TX
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
After I went to a aftermarket air couple my seal problem was gone. I centered the mass air senser like stated in the instructions and fixed that. :thumbs: :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (SQEZN BI)
If you remove the top, can you pull the two bottom pieces together so they seal well? I would try to fasten something on the inside to hold them together if you can actually pull them together so they mate well. You may also want to loosen up their attachment before you try pulling them together.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
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From: Central NJ
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
I had the same problem. It really depends on how the MAF and airbridge are situated. You must get the airbridge to mount properly and not have it sit too high on the rad shroud. You also have to get the vararam on the MAF in a way that it pushes the top part of the vararam onto the bottom piece at an angle that gets you a good seal. It takes time, but it is very possible to get a good seal.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (vettenuts)
If you remove the top, can you pull the two bottom pieces together so they seal well? I would try to fasten something on the inside to hold them together if you can actually pull them together so they mate well. You may also want to loosen up their attachment before you try pulling them together.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
I"ll share what worked for me. Two things: the first was trimming most of that flap off around the edge of the filter and second I install the top of the Vararam duct first then hook up to the throttle body. Be sure the back side (closet to the TB) of the filter top box lid is outside the lip of the underside box. Hope this makes sense. Mine seals up nicely.
[Modified by goodhands, 12:11 PM 2/13/2004]
[Modified by goodhands, 12:11 PM 2/13/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make Counter Accusations.
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
I have the quick release version and it seals up nicely. Are you sure you mounted the tubes properly behind the front bumper?
Give VR a call about this.
Give VR a call about this.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
If you remove the top, can you pull the two bottom pieces together so they seal well? I would try to fasten something on the inside to hold them together if you can actually pull them together so they mate well. You may also want to loosen up their attachment before you try pulling them together.
Yes. When I reach in there and grab the air box I can squeeze the 2 pieces together and pull up on the whole thing. That gets it to sit right and seal properly. Once I let go, it falls back into the old position. Something doesn't seem right. Another thing I should probably mention is I still have the little red circle thing left over. I couldn't figure out where to put it and the instuctions werent too clear. Wherever I put that thing, it didn't work cause it caused everything else to be off a little and not line up.
Yes. When I reach in there and grab the air box I can squeeze the 2 pieces together and pull up on the whole thing. That gets it to sit right and seal properly. Once I let go, it falls back into the old position. Something doesn't seem right. Another thing I should probably mention is I still have the little red circle thing left over. I couldn't figure out where to put it and the instuctions werent too clear. Wherever I put that thing, it didn't work cause it caused everything else to be off a little and not line up.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (tabbruzz)
I'm sure if you would read my post and try what I said than it will work. I had the same issue, exactly....
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Northwest Suburbs of Chicago IL
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (Watch22)
I herd there is a newer version on the Varam VR-1B comming in the next few weeks. Has anyone else herd this?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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Likes: 5
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (LittleBoyBlu99)
That Red coupler goes on later year models like 01's and up. :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Glasgow Ky
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
I know for a fact that mine doesn't seal up to perfection. I think that putting a piece of weather stripping either on top or below the filter would really help. There is a lot of play even after the air box is clamped so I know there is room to add something in there to tighten up the seal...weather stripping just came to mind. This is what I'm going to try anyway.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
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Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (Bone_Stock)
Let us know how it goes. It's a shame to lose performance due to a leak, especially when its not necessary. :nonod:
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Richmond KY
Re: Vararam users please chime in.....question about sealing problems (KillerVette99)
I installed my V1B this weekend and it is a PAIN to get it lined up correctly with the airbridge/MAF etc. I worked on getting that part perfect for about 4 hours! :smash::smash::smash: I finally did get it perfect. :yesnod:
My K&N filter is coming this week though...I dread taking the thing apart to install the new filter! :cry
I have an aftermarket Halltech carbon fiber airbridge though...dunno if it would have been easier using the stock airbridge.
I don't care if there is a new version coming out soon...no way I'm going through that install again :banghead:
My K&N filter is coming this week though...I dread taking the thing apart to install the new filter! :cry
I have an aftermarket Halltech carbon fiber airbridge though...dunno if it would have been easier using the stock airbridge.
I don't care if there is a new version coming out soon...no way I'm going through that install again :banghead: