Problem with Vararam
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Problem with Vararam
So I finally had the time today to try to fix my Vararam problem, which is...the red connector hose is rubbing my hood liner and needs adjustment. So I start taking it apart and I get the top half off and find the lower filter element gasket is cocked and only about 1/3 of it is where it's supposed to be. Then I see where the red hose connects at the top, the plastic housing has partially collapsed, possibly from clamp pressure, allowing unfiltered air into the motor. I get to the filter element, which was filthy and needs a cleaning for sure, pull that out of the upper housing and that gasket is screwed up too! Only about 2/3 where it should be.
I've heated the plastic housing back into shape, but I'm at a crossroads here. Do I keep it, fix it, and move on? or Change it out? I must say, I'm a bit disappointed in a $350 CAI.
I've contacted a vendor about it in hopes to get a replacement filter and a couple gaskets(willing to pay for them). I think I can get it back together correctly with those items(hopefully).
Anyone else run into this? or does it sound like the installer(which wasn't me, was on the car when I bought it) didn't know wtf he was doing?
I've heated the plastic housing back into shape, but I'm at a crossroads here. Do I keep it, fix it, and move on? or Change it out? I must say, I'm a bit disappointed in a $350 CAI.
I've contacted a vendor about it in hopes to get a replacement filter and a couple gaskets(willing to pay for them). I think I can get it back together correctly with those items(hopefully).
Anyone else run into this? or does it sound like the installer(which wasn't me, was on the car when I bought it) didn't know wtf he was doing?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
From my experience, a VARARAM install isn't the hard. Once you get the shroud cut it's just a matter of putting the unit in.Granted,there have been issues with VARARAM regarding the seal between the upper and lower portions where the filter sits,but VARARAM has given new ones when necessary and some people have just removed and reinstalled the gasket.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
WADR, you've been on here since '07. There've been numerous threads on this intake. And you are now surprised at what is happening to yours? I do understand that you didn't buy it, put it on, etc.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Hmmm. Wasn't aware of any gasket problems. I was able to reinstall the upper and used trim adhesive to set it back in it's proper place. I can probably do that for the bottom gasket, but it's pretty effed up and may not seal properly, so I'm going to see if I can get a new one.
Yeah, the install seems pretty easy. The HP gains this unit adds seem to be unmatched by no other intake available for the C6, according to what I read.
Yeah, the install seems pretty easy. The HP gains this unit adds seem to be unmatched by no other intake available for the C6, according to what I read.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
I had a C3, just got the C6 last August. Did a search first and found nothing. Thanks for your helpful input.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Not trying to be all one-sided, but if you do a search of gen and tech, you'll find several good-vararam threads, too.
This is what I pulled up on the negatives and one fix-it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ram-p-o-s.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...oing-back.html
How to fix it: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...08-c6-z51.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...do-better.html
This is what I pulled up on the negatives and one fix-it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ram-p-o-s.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...oing-back.html
How to fix it: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...08-c6-z51.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...do-better.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
Put the stock back on and let the cool air from the hole in the shroud do just as well as if the Vararam was actually working.
WADR= with all due respect
WADR= with all due respect
Last edited by S'vette; Feb 6, 2011 at 01:00 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If the top section of your intake is deformed, call VaraRam and they will send you a new one with a new set of gaskets.
Then glue the new gaskets in place and re-install without crushing the neck with the clamp.
Then glue the new gaskets in place and re-install without crushing the neck with the clamp.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
