vararam power wedge LS-2-is a tune needed
01-16-2013, 12:27 AM
#2
Instructor
Vararam snake charamer & power wedge??
01-16-2013, 12:56 AM
#3
Race Director
I did not have a tune done after installing the VaraRam spacer and CAI on my '06 LS-2.
It would definitely improve performance with a tune, but it isn't required.
It would definitely improve performance with a tune, but it isn't required.
Last edited by Knob Jockey; 01-16-2013 at 01:00 AM.
01-16-2013, 07:43 AM
#5
it is not required BUT, to take full advantage of the new system it is highly recommended especially with the vararam bc its more like a ram induction...if you read their brouchure i think it says something about this system continues to increase hp and tq the faster you go bc of the air flow effect...pretty cool
you should have it dyno tune anyways with most engine mods....
you should have it dyno tune anyways with most engine mods....
01-16-2013, 08:55 AM
#6
Instructor
Was these a significant increase in perf ??
There are MANY different opinions on CF about whether or not these Cai systems really work so I have been very reluctant to do this mod
01-16-2013, 09:01 AM
#7
Team Owner
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Had a friend waterlock his eng while driving on I35 with just a few inches of water on the hwy.
Just be carefull.
01-16-2013, 09:25 AM
#8
ill chime in...my car came with vararam CAI, cam, headers and full exhaust. i installed a 160 deg tstat. then i took it to the dyno, the base line pull was i think 358HP 361TQ. this is how it was running w/o a tune with all the engine mods. After about 1 hr of tuning it put down 405 HP 398TQat 5500 rpm.....a 47HP 37TQ increase...this was with a mustang dyno....
01-16-2013, 10:42 AM
#9
Naples FL
ill chime in...my car came with vararam CAI, cam, headers and full exhaust. i installed a 160 deg tstat. then i took it to the dyno, the base line pull was i think 358HP 361TQ. this is how it was running w/o a tune with all the engine mods. After about 1 hr of tuning it put down 405 HP 398TQat 5500 rpm.....a 47HP 37TQ increase...this was with a mustang dyno....
Last edited by 9157; 01-16-2013 at 10:45 AM.
01-16-2013, 12:48 PM
#10
01-16-2013, 07:41 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
I put a Vararam and the power wedge on my 06 way back in 07. Then I did get a ECS tune at Carlisle back in Aug. 2007 for a special $ 99.00. I don't know if it made any difference, but, I ran a lot of runs at E Town and Atco in the low 12's and that plus a 160 stat are my only mods. 
I guess it did help...
I guess it did help...
01-17-2013, 01:12 AM
#12
Race Director
He also confirmed that having the license plate on the car had no affect. Seems counter-intuitive, but the whole "mouth" of the car comes into play.
My personal SOTP evaluation is that the performance gains are most noticeable at freeway speeds.
As stated above, the car will re-calibrate itself to compensate for the extra air coming in. The only warning I recall was that during this initial learning phase, don't force too much very cold air into the car as it upsets (briefly) the computer. I did my install in the summer so this was never an issue.
As far as hydro-locking the motor, as long as you don't drive it through deep, standing water and totally submerge the nose, you won't have any problems. There's more than a little rain in my neck of the woods and I don't give it a second thought.
And......customer service from VaraRam has been excellent.
01-17-2013, 08:23 AM
#13
Team Owner
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I installed mine many years ago and at the time Chuck CoW had done some track testing and knocked .2+ secs. off their 1/4 mile time.
He also confirmed that having the license plate on the car had no affect. Seems counter-intuitive, but the whole "mouth" of the car comes into play.
My personal SOTP evaluation is that the performance gains are most noticeable at freeway speeds.
As stated above, the car will re-calibrate itself to compensate for the extra air coming in. The only warning I recall was that during this initial learning phase, don't force too much very cold air into the car as it upsets (briefly) the computer. I did my install in the summer so this was never an issue.
As far as hydro-locking the motor, as long as you don't drive it through deep, standing water and totally submerge the nose, you won't have any problems. There's more than a little rain in my neck of the woods and I don't give it a second thought.
And......customer service from VaraRam has been excellent.
He also confirmed that having the license plate on the car had no affect. Seems counter-intuitive, but the whole "mouth" of the car comes into play.
My personal SOTP evaluation is that the performance gains are most noticeable at freeway speeds.
As stated above, the car will re-calibrate itself to compensate for the extra air coming in. The only warning I recall was that during this initial learning phase, don't force too much very cold air into the car as it upsets (briefly) the computer. I did my install in the summer so this was never an issue.
As far as hydro-locking the motor, as long as you don't drive it through deep, standing water and totally submerge the nose, you won't have any problems. There's more than a little rain in my neck of the woods and I don't give it a second thought.
And......customer service from VaraRam has been excellent.
01-17-2013, 10:53 PM
#14
Instructor
Vararm power wedge & snake charmer
sorry to hear about that water problem...Ive never driven mine in the rain or snow and heard too many stories about the car gettin sideways when you least expect it ....so I dont plan on changing my driving habbits now...soooo Im not too concerend about the water problems...but Thnx for everyones input...I found the VSC-1 on ebay for $225 brand new in the box never opened and bought the power wedge for $99 (free shipping) from Maryland speed....hope to have it installled with 165 tstat and tuned sometime next month...The car already has headers xpipe and cat back with borla touring exhaust ...so Im hoping to see 400 rwp after the tune.....will update everyone with the before and after dyno test results...in the mean time....everyone stay tuned
01-17-2013, 11:21 PM
#15
Former Vendor
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Not at all possible.....
"less than 2 inches of water" is a bit of an exaggeration. Years ago we made a video while we shot a
garden hose under pressure directly into the grille and mouth of the Vararam while the owner revved the engine.
I clearly demonstrated that there is absolutely no concern having a Vararam intake.
However, the scoop of the intake is a few inches below the "corvette emblem" on the front bumper and
if you're playing "SUBMARINE" or "CAPTIAN NEMO" operating your C6 Corvette in areas where there is
6 or more inches of standing water, you gotta have your head examined.
While it might be a different guy, I DO RECALL a customer traveling to LG years ago....in a major storm,
in the middle of the night, to deliver his car for my 3.42 rear end and some tuning....
I remember that I received the call in the middle of the night and I do know that the scenario included
a lot more circumstance than "2 inches of water".
VARARAM has been around for many years and their product has clearly out-sold every other
cold air intake for this car and if there was anything wrong with it they wouldn't be as popular as they are.
Personally, I have NEVER installed anything but VARARAM intakes on C5 or C6 Corvettes and I've
REMOVED a GOOD MANY competitors intakes for one reason or another.
The company is TOP NOTCH and so is the product's performance.
You will not find another company willing to do more for their customers or products.
Chuck CoW
01-18-2013, 09:50 AM
#16
Instructor
Costs for the vrsc1 & power wedge install and tune
Like the other fella mentions above, you can drive VARARAMs everywhere with no problems.
"less than 2 inches of water" is a bit of an exaggeration. Years ago we made a video while we shot a
garden hose under pressure directly into the grille and mouth of the Vararam while the owner revved the engine.
I clearly demonstrated that there is absolutely no concern having a Vararam intake.
However, the scoop of the intake is a few inches below the "corvette emblem" on the front bumper and
if you're playing "SUBMARINE" or "CAPTIAN NEMO" operating your C6 Corvette in areas where there is
6 or more inches of standing water, you gotta have your head examined.
While it might be a different guy, I DO RECALL a customer traveling to LG years ago....in a major storm,
in the middle of the night, to deliver his car for my 3.42 rear end and some tuning....
I remember that I received the call in the middle of the night and I do know that the scenario included
a lot more circumstance than "2 inches of water".
VARARAM has been around for many years and their product has clearly out-sold every other
cold air intake for this car and if there was anything wrong with it they wouldn't be as popular as they are.
Personally, I have NEVER installed anything but VARARAM intakes on C5 or C6 Corvettes and I've
REMOVED a GOOD MANY competitors intakes for one reason or another.
The company is TOP NOTCH and so is the product's performance.
You will not find another company willing to do more for their customers or products.
Chuck CoW
"less than 2 inches of water" is a bit of an exaggeration. Years ago we made a video while we shot a
garden hose under pressure directly into the grille and mouth of the Vararam while the owner revved the engine.
I clearly demonstrated that there is absolutely no concern having a Vararam intake.
However, the scoop of the intake is a few inches below the "corvette emblem" on the front bumper and
if you're playing "SUBMARINE" or "CAPTIAN NEMO" operating your C6 Corvette in areas where there is
6 or more inches of standing water, you gotta have your head examined.
While it might be a different guy, I DO RECALL a customer traveling to LG years ago....in a major storm,
in the middle of the night, to deliver his car for my 3.42 rear end and some tuning....
I remember that I received the call in the middle of the night and I do know that the scenario included
a lot more circumstance than "2 inches of water".
VARARAM has been around for many years and their product has clearly out-sold every other
cold air intake for this car and if there was anything wrong with it they wouldn't be as popular as they are.
Personally, I have NEVER installed anything but VARARAM intakes on C5 or C6 Corvettes and I've
REMOVED a GOOD MANY competitors intakes for one reason or another.
The company is TOP NOTCH and so is the product's performance.
You will not find another company willing to do more for their customers or products.
Chuck CoW
for labor to install the VRsc1 & power wedge (assuming I provide the parts) with a 165 tstat and Dyno tune....sounds a bit high to me...Can anyone reccomend another installer here on Long Island that can do this??...My days of wrenching on the cars ended 30 years ago...and my dad still has the oil stains on his driveway to prove it...so Id rather pay someone to do it right.....any suggestions?? 
01-18-2013, 10:16 AM
#17
Team Owner
01-18-2013, 10:16 AM
#18
Former Vendor
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Ossining New York
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Call me.....
Chuck.....thnx once again for the update. I just got a quote from the Vette Doctors here in Amityville Long Island. They want $700 for labor to install the VRsc1 & power wedge (assuming I provide the parts) with a 165 tstat and Dyno tune....sounds a bit high to me...Can anyone recommend another installer here on Long Island that can do this??...My days of wrenching on the cars ended 30 years ago...and my dad still has the oil stains on his driveway to prove it...so Id rather pay someone to do it right.....any suggestions??
for labor to install the VRsc1 & power wedge (assuming I provide the parts) with a 165 tstat and Dyno tune....sounds a bit high to me...Can anyone recommend another installer here on Long Island that can do this??...My days of wrenching on the cars ended 30 years ago...and my dad still has the oil stains on his driveway to prove it...so Id rather pay someone to do it right.....any suggestions?? Call me so I get get you installed and set up with the best install and tune around.
Might I also recommend the CoW BOOSTER!
914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
02-07-2013, 08:00 AM
#19
what would be the purpose?