I've been very happy w/ my vortex for over a year and I like the way the clear box looks under the hood. Been seeing some posts about great gains w/ a Vararam... I hear they're cheaply made, hard to install, and I'm wondering if the difference (if any) is worth the cost.

Also, now that the inlets are effectively blocked I'm guessing the engine cooling is affected... I know removing the plastic inserts from the coups has a big effect on cooling. I track my car so I want it as cool as possible.

 

Good question. Let's hear some results.

 

Yep...
Good for a solid 1/10 !!

 

It works at higher speeds at you will feel more SOTP more then anything... As for cooling, the C5 is mostly cooled from the bottom, so it shouldn't be a problem

 

Vararam 2 tenths on ET over stock in the qtr mile, not at all cheap in my opinion I think they fit great and have a nice look, very solid once installed. Installation difficulty for a non mechanic like myself around an 8 out of ten. For someone mechanically inclined a 4. As far as cooling there is no difference, that is not a factor. Is it better than your vortex, I have never seen a vortex so I do not know. If it is not a cold air intake, as in gets the air from outside the hood it is not in the same league as the vararam. Ram air effect is over rated the vararam works because it gets cold air from outside the hood those intakes could be at the rear of the car and you would get a similar effect. Best mod for the money in my opinion.

 

I's a great cold air intake... one of the first to market, but still a great design.

 

I used to have the Vortex and I just installed the Vararam about a month ago and I really don't feel a difference. I'm not sure if its because I need to get my car tuned because I also installed LG LT Headers or what but in my opinion stay with the Vortex for now.

 

I sure do love my vararam!!!

 

If I had to do it over again.... I'd probably pickup the Vararam and B&B bullets, but I'll stick w/ the Vortex and Stingers for now (the kooks make them so much fun)

 

Mike...

If you haven't been to the track with the Vortex, then your opinion is WRONG...

I have about 300 runs with the Vortex, and about 250 more with the Vararam, and I have an ET/weather station that I log my runs in to, so I KNOW how my car should run, and with the VARARAM, my car runs 1/10 FASTER!

Regular driving, you will not feel a difference compared to the Vortex.

At the track, you WILL!

The Vararam will pull & pull & pull, until you let off the gas....

If you're NOT going to drag race your car, then don't make the switch.

If you ARE going to drag race, & want as much out of your car as it can give you, then YES, DEFINITELY MAKE TO SWAP TO THE VARARAM!

Trust me on this.........

 

Ellis,
I think Mike said "OPINION"

 

And I said, without him going to the track with his Vortex, his opinion is WRONG.

He has NO sense as to what the Vararam can do just by his normal street driving.

his opinion is not based on driving parameters, which the Vararam comes to life over 45 MPH..

 

I see the pic of the Vortex, where is it getting its cold air from?

 

You cut a hole in the radiator shrowd and put a scoop down in it.... the filter is sealed off from the rest of the engine and only gets air from under the car.

 

and thanks for yours

 

Ok. If you know anything about me everytime I drive my car I hit 140 and I drag my car on the street. After my switch it felt like I lost torque and if you read my opinion it could be because I need a dyno tune.

 

I found the difference to be almost imeasurable and I have over 700 1/4 runs on my car.

 

This reminds me of the, (What air lid is the best for f-body's?) war.

 

ANy intake that provides 'cold' air will increase the HP.

I have an intake like the Vortex, a Cyclone and like it very much. The one question that I do have about the v-ram is the temp of the engine when running under extream conditions as in extended track time on a road circuit.

any time you can OPEN up the area, or as in the ZO6s behing the screens that allows cold air to enter the engine compartment and circulate to help cool the external part of the engine. The hot air from the engine compartment is then pushed out the side vents behing the front wheels. Now by putting in the V-ram behind the ZO6 screens, does that cut off the air cicluation around the engine compartment?? Thus keeping the temp in hte engine compartment elevated??

I would think that anytime you have an opportunity to keep the engine bay cool, relativly speaking, that is a good thing. Lowering the t-stat does help but.

I have a coupe. I did notice that when I cut out the plastice in the fog light schoud and put in ZO6s screens that my engine temp on highway driving dropped from 205 to 190 and on the track the engine temp dropped frm 210 to 195-198 degrees. I also have a 185 degree t-stat.

Since opening up and putting in the ZO6 screens I have also put in an oil cooler. Again the engine temps are staying low as the oil never gets above 255 degrees and the engine temp never abot 200 even on the hottest day of 110 degrees in the paddock and 30 to 40 min hard run sessions ( 3000 to red line 4 to 6 times evey 2 1/2 min for 30 to 40 min ).

So IMHO any time you have a chance to keep the engine bay cool is a good thing and I look at that is why I would not put a V-ram in my car.

 

REDGAR:

You didn't gain any ET with the Vararam?
Did you gain 1-2 MPH?

If not, you may be the FIRST candidate for your money back!

MikeJames....& eyeryone...

It really has been proven throughout the last year & a half that switching from the Vortex to the Vararam WILL give at least a 1/10 quicker ET & 1-2 MPH as well....

Of all the guys who switched, REDGAR is the first one I have EVER heard who did not gain ET... The money back guarantee from Vararam is .1 in ET or 1-2 MPH...