Vararam install questions
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton OR
It took me about two hours. (Of course about one hour was taken up as I pounded my head against the wall AFTER I nicked a teeny, tiny little $500 hole in my air conditioner condensor.)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
after you complete it, you will realize how unnecessary removing the shroud is. it took me about 45mins to just cut the hole. take it slow, cut towards the front of the car(away from the condenser). use a piece of plywood or MDF between the shroud and the condenser to help protect in case of an accident. i just used a sharp utility knife and it cut like butter after getting it started. my only advice is don't rush and be patient. 
edit: one other thing. i used white-out to trace the template for the cutout.
edit: one other thing. i used white-out to trace the template for the cutout.
Last edited by chemten; Jan 3, 2007 at 11:16 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)
truth be told, it's a real pita. so is accessing the filter after the install. however, the gains are worth the initial frustration.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 409
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...araram+install
Try this thread. I ended up removing the corregated rubber throttle body connector and bought a two 3" pieces of red silicone hose from Extreme PSI. The hose next to the TB increases from 3 7/8" to 4". The hose from the Vararam is 3 7/8" both ends.
Try this thread. I ended up removing the corregated rubber throttle body connector and bought a two 3" pieces of red silicone hose from Extreme PSI. The hose next to the TB increases from 3 7/8" to 4". The hose from the Vararam is 3 7/8" both ends.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 20
From: www.shockerracing.com
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Cutting the shroud is a piece of cake. The install took me only minutes. Just don't extend the utility knife fully when you are at the top and cut the top last so you can see from the sides where your evaporator is and not cut it.Also, if you cut the template where the dotted lines are it fits down on the nubs on the shroud and then the hole it makes is perfect.
Here's a pic of what I mean:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 20
From: www.shockerracing.com
Thanks Joe, I am glad they helped. I completely agree that the precut shroud is a waste of time and money. If the shroud is cut carefully and you put something behind it while you cut it there should be no issues!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 931
Likes: 96
From: Canyon Country CA
vararam hood inteference
the install went ok on my 07 LS-2, but it touches the hood cover. i have the spacer which compounds the clearance problem. there is so much upward bias on the hoses that it forces contact with the hood cover. this could also eventually deform the fiberglass hood.
has anyone experienced this problem?
has anyone experienced this problem?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
the install went ok on my 07 LS-2, but it touches the hood cover. i have the spacer which compounds the clearance problem. there is so much upward bias on the hoses that it forces contact with the hood cover. this could also eventually deform the fiberglass hood.
has anyone experienced this problem?
has anyone experienced this problem?
i do have a little notch in my hood liner very slightly, but i don't notice any damage to the hood itself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton OR
the install went ok on my 07 LS-2, but it touches the hood cover. i have the spacer which compounds the clearance problem. there is so much upward bias on the hoses that it forces contact with the hood cover. this could also eventually deform the fiberglass hood.
has anyone experienced this problem?
has anyone experienced this problem?
Alot of pieces need to move just a little bit. Be patient and it will get there!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
I made a mess of cutting my shroud so I purchased a precut one. The whole thing fit better with my butcher job then it does with the precut one. I cut the crap out of the old one getting it out so I can't reuse it. Precut one doesn't seem to cut high enough. Too hot in the sun right now so I just threw it together. Next weekend I'll cut the precut one and make the whole thing fit better.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I agree. Cut your own but go slow.
I made a mess of cutting my shroud so I purchased a precut one. The whole thing fit better with my butcher job then it does with the precut one. I cut the crap out of the old one getting it out so I can't reuse it. Precut one doesn't seem to cut high enough. Too hot in the sun right now so I just threw it together. Next weekend I'll cut the precut one and make the whole thing fit better.
I made a mess of cutting my shroud so I purchased a precut one. The whole thing fit better with my butcher job then it does with the precut one. I cut the crap out of the old one getting it out so I can't reuse it. Precut one doesn't seem to cut high enough. Too hot in the sun right now so I just threw it together. Next weekend I'll cut the precut one and make the whole thing fit better.
I think I kept my template and mine fits great. Let me know if you want it and I'll give it to you. And I used a new blade in a cheap blade knife and it cut very easy. Try a new blade if you didn't last time, it can make a big difference.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
I am now getting a check engine light. I wonder if they are related?
The first time the cutting was not the problem. I didn't cut high enough and had to keep trimming that's when I made a mess. I'm going to scribe a line and cut about an inch off. Might do it this afternoon but I'll have to make sure I drink a ton of water.
If it's this hot now what will the summer be like?
The first time the cutting was not the problem. I didn't cut high enough and had to keep trimming that's when I made a mess. I'm going to scribe a line and cut about an inch off. Might do it this afternoon but I'll have to make sure I drink a ton of water.
If it's this hot now what will the summer be like?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
I am now getting a check engine light. I wonder if they are related?
The first time the cutting was not the problem. I didn't cut high enough and had to keep trimming that's when I made a mess. I'm going to scribe a line and cut about an inch off. Might do it this afternoon but I'll have to make sure I drink a ton of water.
If it's this hot now what will the summer be like?
The first time the cutting was not the problem. I didn't cut high enough and had to keep trimming that's when I made a mess. I'm going to scribe a line and cut about an inch off. Might do it this afternoon but I'll have to make sure I drink a ton of water.
If it's this hot now what will the summer be like?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
make sure you plugged all the censors back in when you replaced the shroud(i read above that you purchased a precut one). the MAF connector is all the way in and the temperature plug that is at the bottom, front right of the shroud. on my 07, there was another plug on that same side as the temperature one(not sure what that one does).