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I just purchased my c6 a couple months ago and now thats its closer to summer and starting to rain a thought occured to me. How well can I go through puddles since it is so low and ir has a vararam intake. I was hoping to get some of your guys experiences with driving through puddles or the past way to not suck up any water.
most of the guy's here on the forum try to avoid the wet weather as much as possible, unless of course their vette is the dreaded daily drive vehicle. in any case, if you can't avoid a small puddle, drive thru it very slowly with the vararam intake. bigger puddles, turn around and try to find another route home. if even a slight chance of rain in the forecast, mine sits in the garage to wait for a nicer day.
I have a Vararam and have been caught in torrential downpours during our many road trips. Never had any issues with hard and strong rains that stopped traffic due to lack of visibility. What I try to avoid however is places that may have standing water puddles that may be 6" or deeper.
Normal Rain getting into the Vararam has caused no ill effects to the car.
Other than deeper puddles that you should logically avoid even without a Vararam, the problem is when the oncoming traffic creates waves.
Here's a quick way to stop the direct waves of water. It can be made from most any handy material, but I made mine from that plastic cardboard stuff that yard signs and political posters are made from. Hobby stores sell the stuff in various size sheets. I store mine in the hatch normally, but if it's about to rain, I slip it behind the seat for quick access. I hold it in place with a bungie. About 5 seconds to install.
Last edited by HOXXOH; Jan 7, 2018 at 05:01 PM.
Reason: replace photobucket pic
Other than deeper puddles that you should logically avoid even without a Vararam, the problem is when the oncoming traffic creates waves.
Here's a quick way to stop the direct waves of water. It can be made from most any handy material, but I made mine from that plastic cardboard stuff that yard signs and political posters are made from. Hobby stores sell the stuff in various size sheets. I store mine in the hatch normally, but if it's about to rain, I slip it behind the seat for quick access. I hold it in place with a bungie. About 5 seconds to install.
ummmmmmmm interesting how the vararam can get enough air with that plastic in front of it.
I don't think any splashes or waves are going to create an issue unless the inlet is completely immersed in water where no air can get in.
ummmmmmmm interesting how the vararam can get enough air with that plastic in front of it.
I don't think any splashes or waves are going to create an issue unless the inlet is completely immersed in water where no air can get in.
The Vararam inlet is about 3" behind the face of the grille. There is far more than enough space for air, especially since most people don't go WOT when driving through several inches of standing water.
Maybe you have medians in all the streets, really good drainage, or very courteous drivers that don't create waves where you live. However, in the Phoenix area a 1/2" of rain can temporarily flood some streets up to 3-4" deep in less than an hour. Then the guys with lifted pickups just love to splash as much water as possible, which can create waves 6-8" high. It only takes one wave to hit that open inlet to kill your engine and the only defense is to either block it or shut off the engine before the wave hits.
I have a Vararam and have been caught in torrential downpours during our many road trips. Never had any issues with hard and strong rains that stopped traffic due to lack of visibility. What I try to avoid however is places that may have standing water puddles that may be 6" or deeper.
Normal Rain getting into the Vararam has caused no ill effects to the car.
most of the guy's here on the forum try to avoid the wet weather as much as possible, unless of course their vette is the dreaded daily drive vehicle. in any case, if you can't avoid a small puddle, drive thru it very slowly with the vararam intake. bigger puddles, turn around and try to find another route home. if even a slight chance of rain in the forecast, mine sits in the garage to wait for a nicer day.
when you're dailying a vette there's no such thing as a "dreaded daily driver vehicle" - each day is fun, and every work day you have something to look forward to at the end of it. contrary to popular belief, the car doesn't disintegrate in the rain, and it's actually a hoot to smash around in the rain too.
My C6 is my DD. In the month of May, we have had ~16" of rain so far. Setting records. Vette has been fine driving in the rain. I am careful about puddles and speed, but otherwise, zero issues. I have stock engine compartment, though.
it does not suck to come out after a long day at work and get into the vette for the short (26 mile) drive home.
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
As someone who has only a "dreaded daily driver" with no other vehicle to drive at the moment and who also lives much of the time in an area where the average rainfall is about five and a half feet a year http://www.livescience.com/1558-stud...st-cities.html, I have never had an issue or even considered it any differently. The clearance may only be 3 inches but I wouldn't want to drive through 3" of water in a pickup at speed. Hydroplaning is the biggest risk in a Corvette because of the wide tires. You can hydroplane on 1/4" of water. But I have also not had any issue with hydroplaning because I don't drive like an idiot in the rain. I only drive like an idiot on dry pavement. And I do it with this big dreaded grin on my face every dreaded day. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
when you're dailying a vette there's no such thing as a "dreaded daily driver vehicle" - each day is fun, and every work day you have something to look forward to at the end of it. contrary to popular belief, the car doesn't disintegrate in the rain, and it's actually a hoot to smash around in the rain too.
just sayin'.
since mine is a garage queen i try to keep the miles to a minimum. nothing against those of you who choose to drive theirs as a dd but mine is for weekend pleasure. just sayen.
As someone who has only a "dreaded daily driver" with no other vehicle to drive at the moment and who also lives much of the time in an area where the average rainfall is about five and a half feet a year http://www.livescience.com/1558-stud...st-cities.html, I have never had an issue or even considered it any differently. The clearance may only be 3 inches but I wouldn't want to drive through 3" of water in a pickup at speed. Hydroplaning is the biggest risk in a Corvette because of the wide tires. You can hydroplane on 1/4" of water. But I have also not had any issue with hydroplaning because I don't drive like an idiot in the rain. I only drive like an idiot on dry pavement. And I do it with this big dreaded grin on my face every dreaded day. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
well this is one guy who DREADS driving his as a daily driver, this is one car that does not see rain or snow at any time of year. so put that in your DREADED peace pipe.
well this is one guy who DREADS driving his as a daily driver, this is one car that does not see rain or snow at any time of year. so put that in your DREADED peace pipe.
I drive a dreaded C6 daily. Have daily driven Corvettes since 2004. They make driving fun. Plus it has been a very reliable car that puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
I drive a dreaded C6 daily. Have daily driven Corvettes since 2004. They make driving fun. Plus it has been a very reliable car that puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Try it you might like it.
my sixth vette since 1969 and have never used one of them for a dd and i'm not about to start now. i used the term "DREADED" referring to me. to others that use their car the way they want is no business of mine, just to set the record straight. i understand there are those that can't afford a second car to use as a dd, i've been there once myself. but speaking FOR MYSELF, i wouldn't buy a car like a corvette to use solely for everyday driving. and i'm sure there are others on the forum that feel as i do.
my sixth vette since 1969 and have never used one of them for a dd and i'm not about to start now. i used the term "DREADED" referring to me. to others that use their car the way they want is no business of mine, just to set the record straight. i understand there are those that can't afford a second car to use as a dd, i've been there once myself. but speaking FOR MYSELF, i wouldn't buy a car like a corvette to use solely for everyday driving. and i'm sure there are others on the forum that feel as i do.
Lots of em. Enjoy your car the way you want, that why we bought them. We have 5 other cars 3 of which can haul all four of us so I can have the luxury of a two seater or two (have an 85 C4 also). C4 is my bad weather car.
To the OP. I have had a vararam intake for the last 3 years. Driving the car in hard rain and through puddles that typically occur has no affect on the intake. I will take a detour when there is flooding, irrespective of the intake, but has yet to do that as the drainage systems where I live appear sufficient.
Other than deeper puddles that you should logically avoid even without a Vararam, the problem is when the oncoming traffic creates waves.
Here's a quick way to stop the direct waves of water. It can be made from most any handy material, but I made mine from that plastic cardboard stuff that yard signs and political posters are made from. Hobby stores sell the stuff in various size sheets. I store mine in the hatch normally, but if it's about to rain, I slip it behind the seat for quick access. I hold it in place with a bungie. About 5 seconds to install.
The only way I see you really hydrolocking the engine through the intake is if it gets fully submerged in a puddle. If that were to happen this home-made shield would be useless anyway
when you're dailying a vette there's no such thing as a "dreaded daily driver vehicle" - each day is fun, and every work day you have something to look forward to at the end of it. contrary to popular belief, the car doesn't disintegrate in the rain, and it's actually a hoot to smash around in the rain too.
my sixth vette since 1969 and have never used one of them for a dd and i'm not about to start now. i used the term "DREADED" referring to me. to others that use their car the way they want is no business of mine, just to set the record straight. i understand there are those that can't afford a second car to use as a dd, i've been there once myself. but speaking FOR MYSELF, i wouldn't buy a car like a corvette to use solely for everyday driving. and i'm sure there are others on the forum that feel as i do.
I'm sure there are many who feel as you do but there are just as many of us who have the opposite opinion. I have 5 others I could use as my dd but I choose to drive the Vette (427 Vert). It makes every day a blast ! At the end of the day we all love our cars differently. To each his own I say.
raining
in any case, if you can't avoid a small puddle, drive thru it very slowly with the vararam intake. bigger puddles, turn around and try to find another route home.
if even a slight chance of rain in the forecast, mine sits in the garage to wait for a nicer day.
Similar experience and I have had no issues.
And I do it with this big dreaded grin on my face every dreaded day. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
