Vararam?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 1
From: Between a rock and a hard place, S.E. PA
Originally Posted by ShockerRacing
I keep seeing people saying that it would help to have a lift to install the Vararam. Is this just necessary for swapping the precut shroud? I installed the Vararam without a lift(even though I have one) and can't see any reason that a lift would help.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton, FL & Chandler AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Went to my locoal mod. shop and they recommended HALLTECH instead of VArARAM. They cited several problems to include sucking of water. Anyway, I was told that HALTECH has been proven to return more HP gains that VArARAM. So what's the deal and you guys' opinion on this matter?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
Based on what I've read and having installed the Vararam I can't see how you would get much more of HP increase on a dyno than any other after market intake with a Vararam since the car needs to moving to "ram" the air. The faster the better. I'm happy with it and now that Pipedreams has made a cover to hide my lousy cut job I'm even happier.
Last edited by GER42; Nov 21, 2006 at 01:13 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
wait a sec. does the conversation conclude that the halltech shows gains on the dyno but the vram does not ??
what's up with that ?
why wouldn't the vram show the same type of gain as the open filter design. while the car is on the dyno it will generate the same amount of vacuum with either filter. does the halltech show gains due to a higher cfm filter ? would the vram benefit from the use of 'freer flowing' filter ?
for eaxmple, in order to show any differences between the two i would suspect you would need to baseline the vehicle without the filter and intake ducting. simply the maf, tb, and intake, then add a 'system' and see which 'averaged' better.
what's up with that ?
why wouldn't the vram show the same type of gain as the open filter design. while the car is on the dyno it will generate the same amount of vacuum with either filter. does the halltech show gains due to a higher cfm filter ? would the vram benefit from the use of 'freer flowing' filter ?
for eaxmple, in order to show any differences between the two i would suspect you would need to baseline the vehicle without the filter and intake ducting. simply the maf, tb, and intake, then add a 'system' and see which 'averaged' better.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
Originally Posted by Zig
wait a sec. does the conversation conclude that the halltech shows gains on the dyno but the vram does not ??
what's up with that ?
why wouldn't the vram show the same type of gain as the open filter design. while the car is on the dyno it will generate the same amount of vacuum with either filter. does the halltech show gains due to a higher cfm filter ? would the vram benefit from the use of 'freer flowing' filter ?
for eaxmple, in order to show any differences between the two i would suspect you would need to baseline the vehicle without the filter and intake ducting. simply the maf, tb, and intake, then add a 'system' and see which 'averaged' better.
what's up with that ?
why wouldn't the vram show the same type of gain as the open filter design. while the car is on the dyno it will generate the same amount of vacuum with either filter. does the halltech show gains due to a higher cfm filter ? would the vram benefit from the use of 'freer flowing' filter ?
for eaxmple, in order to show any differences between the two i would suspect you would need to baseline the vehicle without the filter and intake ducting. simply the maf, tb, and intake, then add a 'system' and see which 'averaged' better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Originally Posted by vidal1313
Went to my locoal mod. shop and they recommended HALLTECH instead of VArARAM. They cited several problems to include sucking of water. Anyway, I was told that HALTECH has been proven to return more HP gains that VArARAM. So what's the deal and you guys' opinion on this matter?
Living in AZ how much water do you get? Probably not much right. Besides I havn't heard of anyone hydrolocking their C6 with a VR. I have it on mine in NJ and it rained for 5 straight days last week. The car was out everyday in it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton, FL & Chandler AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by k0bun
Living in AZ how much water do you get? Probably not much right. Besides I havn't heard of anyone hydrolocking their C6 with a VR. I have it on mine in NJ and it rained for 5 straight days last week. The car was out everyday in it.
Last edited by Oli1313; Nov 22, 2006 at 01:03 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by vidal1313
Well... I came to AZ from Jersey 2 years ago and I also did not know what monsoons were! They are brutal storms that occur without warning. Granted, there is a season for them and you really don't have to drive through them since they only last 30-45 minutes, but there is a possibility of flash floods. Having said all that, I do agree with you... it is not like I am living in WA state. I don't drive the vette if it is raining and if I ever get caught in a monsoon I would just stop and waited out. I'm still leaning towards the Vararam. I will, as one of the forum members recommended, get a mesh for the front grill. I know it will not stop water, but it will stop it from sucking up all the hugemongus grasshoppers, scorpions, Africanized bees, fire ants, Colorado river poison frogs, snakes, and maybe even a Gila monster into the air vent. These, and the above mentioned monsoons, make AZ a unique place to live. By the way, I have found all these critters (except the Gila) either inside my home, my backyard, or when on a hike 2 minutes from my place.
Last edited by cbrf4i1; Nov 22, 2006 at 09:18 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
I've had the Halltech and the Vararam (on 2 different cars) and in my opinion they are pretty comparable IF you have the Halltech fresh air option, or have modified the grille fascia to let in cool air.
The Halltech has a really HUGE filter, and I believe their claims that this results in much less restriction. The Vararam filter is much smaller, and might actually have less surface area than the stock filters.
I have done dyno pulls on my C6, first with the Halltech, and then a few months later with the Vararam and a ported intake. What was interesting was that the manifold vacuum was actually higher with the ported intake and the Vararam. My theory is that the filter is more restrictive when the car is sitting still or moving slowly, but at speed the extra airflow reduces the restriction dramatically. The Halltech is less restrictive at low speeds, but doesn't benefit as much from the extra airflow.
Both systems will help keep the inlet air temps under control, which in my opinion is a major benefit.
The Halltech has a really HUGE filter, and I believe their claims that this results in much less restriction. The Vararam filter is much smaller, and might actually have less surface area than the stock filters.
I have done dyno pulls on my C6, first with the Halltech, and then a few months later with the Vararam and a ported intake. What was interesting was that the manifold vacuum was actually higher with the ported intake and the Vararam. My theory is that the filter is more restrictive when the car is sitting still or moving slowly, but at speed the extra airflow reduces the restriction dramatically. The Halltech is less restrictive at low speeds, but doesn't benefit as much from the extra airflow.
Both systems will help keep the inlet air temps under control, which in my opinion is a major benefit.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 409
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Originally Posted by UTVOL06
I just realized Racemesh grills would be a great solution to the Vararam sucking in road debris or bugs. Thats what I plan to get now...racemesh grill and a vararam. best of both worlds.
Ordered both the grille and V/R this Monday.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
Originally Posted by BC Bob
Ordered both the grille and V/R this Monday.imo, the best air will be captured by the vram when the stock grill is replaced with a screen mesh style. the stock grill is composed of diffusors which sit directly across the front of the vram scoop.
it'd be nice if someone had a 'package' that consisted of vram intake, vr spacer, and race mesh grill. something like buy the grill and intake and they throw in the spacer and the precut shroud. that'd work pretty well but then again i've already bought everything except the grill so it wouldn't help me much.
it's been my understanding that HD has the supplies required to roll-your-own but i've also been lead to believe that installing most of the aftermarket units are a real pita. so i don't know which would be worse... but i really need to do something about the leaves. it's fall here..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,046
Likes: 884
From: Tampa Florida
Originally Posted by ShockerRacing
I keep seeing people saying that it would help to have a lift to install the Vararam. Is this just necessary for swapping the precut shroud? I installed the Vararam without a lift(even though I have one) and can't see any reason that a lift would help.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton, FL & Chandler AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
O.K. ... So I keep reading horror stories about having to cut the shroud. If I am understanding correctly, that problem is solved by the fact that now there is a pre-cut shroud and I'm begining to feel brave about the prospect of doing myself (remember I stated earlier that I am mechanically challenged). Is the pre-cut now standard with the VR or is it extra $$. Also, some state a lift is needed and others don't agree. Just to clarify, is one needed to change the pre-cut shroud and not if you're cutting it or I just don't need one either way?
Me fellow Arizonian, CBRF4i1,what filter do you recommed?
Thanks guys!
Me fellow Arizonian, CBRF4i1,what filter do you recommed?
Thanks guys!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by vidal1313
O.K. ... So I keep reading horror stories about having to cut the shroud. If I am understanding correctly, that problem is solved by the fact that now there is a pre-cut shroud and I'm begining to feel brave about the prospect of doing myself (remember I stated earlier that I am mechanically challenged). Is the pre-cut now standard with the VR or is it extra $$. Also, some state a lift is needed and others don't agree. Just to clarify, is one needed to change the pre-cut shroud and not if you're cutting it or I just don't need one either way?
Me fellow Arizonian, CBRF4i1,what filter do you recommed?
Thanks guys!
Me fellow Arizonian, CBRF4i1,what filter do you recommed?
Thanks guys!
if l live some cooler place, vararam is an option that i would consider. good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 1
From: Between a rock and a hard place, S.E. PA
Originally Posted by vidal1313
O.K. ... So I keep reading horror stories about having to cut the shroud. If I am understanding correctly, that problem is solved by the fact that now there is a pre-cut shroud and I'm begining to feel brave about the prospect of doing myself (remember I stated earlier that I am mechanically challenged). Is the pre-cut now standard with the VR or is it extra $$. Also, some state a lift is needed and others don't agree. Just to clarify, is one needed to change the pre-cut shroud and not if you're cutting it or I just don't need one either way?
Me fellow Arizonian, CBRF4i1,what filter do you recommed?
Thanks guys!
Me fellow Arizonian, CBRF4i1,what filter do you recommed?
Thanks guys!
Just remember, once you have the precut shroud in place, there is no guarantee you still won't have to trim it. That means removing it again or cutting it in place which puts you right back at square one.
No matter what you decide, protect the condenser, and your fenders.
Good luck, and keep asking questions about anything you're not sure of before you begin.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton, FL & Chandler AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Thanks to all you guys! I greatly appreciate all of your advice and know how.
Only one thing... "considering pcm starts to pull timing at ECT 212*"
WHAT IS THIS??? Remember that I am a begginer in learning mode.
Only one thing... "considering pcm starts to pull timing at ECT 212*"
WHAT IS THIS??? Remember that I am a begginer in learning mode.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by vidal1313
Thanks to all you guys! I greatly appreciate all of your advice and know how.
Only one thing... "considering pcm starts to pull timing at ECT 212*"
WHAT IS THIS??? Remember that I am a begginer in learning mode.
Only one thing... "considering pcm starts to pull timing at ECT 212*"
WHAT IS THIS??? Remember that I am a begginer in learning mode.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1532571
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by cbrf4i1
since you live here in AZ like i do, just so you are aware, vararam scoop blocks about 1/3 of your front grill opening and also doesn't seal off the radiator shroud after your cut it. the point i am making here is, it will be taking air from the radiator by making your front grill opening 1/3 smaller and the air you get from the bottom are not seal off / force toward the radiator instead it is going toward your engine compartment. when we hit 115+ here in the summer, you might have some coolant issue at low speed.
And there's no reason the cut-out could not be sealed around the VR if the template was done correctly. I'm going to buy another shroud and cut the hole to fit. The radiator will work better and it'll keep the dust out of the engine bay.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by C64BOB
And there's no reason the cut-out could not be sealed around the VR if the template was done correctly. I'm going to buy another shroud and cut the hole to fit. The radiator will work better and it'll keep the dust out of the engine bay.