VaraRam vs Xcelerator filter comparision(pic)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
VaraRam vs Xcelerator filter comparision(pic)
Here's a pic of the VaraRam (left) and Xcelerator (right) air filters. The VaraRam measures 4 3/8" x 15 1/4" = 66.72 sq.in., the Xcelerator 6 1/16" x 16 1/2" = 100.03 sq.in. That's an approximate 50% difference in cross sectional area. The VaraRam of course is a true ram air while the Xcelerator draws cool air from in front of the radiator, somewhat of a slight pressurized compartment. The VaraRam seems small as compared to LS1 filter which is 6 1/2 x 14 1/2 = 94.25 sq.in. The Xcelerator is about 6% larger area. All dimensions were taken from the top of the actual flow area.
On the dyno the Xcelerator should have an edge without the ram effect particularly on a modified engine requiring more flow.
Which intake will give the best ET?
On the dyno the Xcelerator should have an edge without the ram effect particularly on a modified engine requiring more flow.
Which intake will give the best ET?
Last edited by 8850; Feb 3, 2007 at 12:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Thanks for the photos. I didn't buy the Vararam because my car is a daily driver and it looks like you could hyrdrolock it if you got the scoop under water. However, my other concern was reading that you had to clean the filter more often on the Vararam. I always thought the filter area looked small, but you confirmed it.
Thanks,
Glenn
Thanks,
Glenn
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
I have both to try. Bought one new, the another from a friend that had never installed. I feel the Xcelerator will work best for me. Will stay cleaner and right now I'm not out to get all I can out of the car. Will sell the one I don't use. Too bad they both don't take the same size hole or I would give them back to back passes. The Xcelerator should get you more in the 60' too if the engine requires the additional flow. Most races are won in the 60'.
I just got the car today. My thinking may change later on getting all out of it I can.
I just got the car today. My thinking may change later on getting all out of it I can.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
Got my new Corvette in yesterday evening. Already taking it apart. LOL! I did measure the factory air filters. Of course some rubber molding covers the flow area but each filter is aproximately 8" x 5 7/8". That calculates to 94 sq.in. Not sure I want to go smaller in area by going to the VaraRam. It might make more hp at 100 mph but by then you've lost to the bigger are filter. Looks like this new VaraRam is going to be forsale.
By the way, this car is sure a highway monster! I bought it in Canton, TX, best deal I found in Texas. Drove it 260 miles home to Sugar Land, TX What a fun car!
I can't believe the gearing. At 60 mph my tach read 1300 rpm. At 90, 2000. And this paddle is so neat! Like having a standard and an automatic all in one.
By the way, this car is sure a highway monster! I bought it in Canton, TX, best deal I found in Texas. Drove it 260 miles home to Sugar Land, TX What a fun car!
I can't believe the gearing. At 60 mph my tach read 1300 rpm. At 90, 2000. And this paddle is so neat! Like having a standard and an automatic all in one.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
Looking at filter size is akin to vodoo magic. Bigger does not mean better. Bigger means it may stay cleaner for awhile but that is about it. Giving the track improvements we have seen from the people running the Vararam there is no doubt that it provides the best in real world improvements.
As far as the Xcelerator giving better 60' i would not think show unless you can so improvement over the Vararam on the dyno. In fact I would think the Xcelerator would be worse because on the line it will be sucking hot air of the radiator while the Vararam is sucking ambient air from the front of the car.
As far as the Xcelerator giving better 60' i would not think show unless you can so improvement over the Vararam on the dyno. In fact I would think the Xcelerator would be worse because on the line it will be sucking hot air of the radiator while the Vararam is sucking ambient air from the front of the car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
Looking at filter size is akin to vodoo magic. Bigger does not mean better. Bigger means it may stay cleaner for awhile but that is about it. Giving the track improvements we have seen from the people running the Vararam there is no doubt that it provides the best in real world improvements.
As far as the Xcelerator giving better 60' i would not think show unless you can so improvement over the Vararam on the dyno. In fact I would think the Xcelerator would be worse because on the line it will be sucking hot air of the radiator while the Vararam is sucking ambient air from the front of the car.
As far as the Xcelerator giving better 60' i would not think show unless you can so improvement over the Vararam on the dyno. In fact I would think the Xcelerator would be worse because on the line it will be sucking hot air of the radiator while the Vararam is sucking ambient air from the front of the car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah WA
Good point, the stock filters have a combined 113.75 SQ Inches of area.
Looking at filter size is akin to vodoo magic. Bigger does not mean better. Bigger means it may stay cleaner for awhile but that is about it. Giving the track improvements we have seen from the people running the Vararam there is no doubt that it provides the best in real world improvements.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
and with the cover and air bridge the opening is about16 square inch. plus all you need is a filter that the square inch is as big as the duct work or the throttle body opening. did you ever notice the 20 inch round air filter all tin with 3 inch by 2 inch opening on the snorkel. go with the VR a proven performer. and my 60 fts are pretty good
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Here's a pic of the VaraRam (left) and Xcelerator (right) air filters. The VaraRam measures 4 3/8" x 15 1/4" = 66.72 sq.in., the Xcelerator 6 1/16" x 16 1/2" = 100.03 sq.in. That's an approximate 50% difference in cross sectional area. The VaraRam of course is a true ram air while the Xcelerator draws cool air from in front of the radiator, somewhat of a slight pressurized compartment. The VaraRam seems small as compared to LS1 filter which is 6 1/2 x 14 1/2 = 94.25 sq.in. The Xcelerator is about 6% larger area. All dimensions were taken from the top of the actual flow area.
On the dyno the Xcelerator should have an edge without the ram effect particularly on a modified engine requiring more flow.
Which intake will give the best ET?
On the dyno the Xcelerator should have an edge without the ram effect particularly on a modified engine requiring more flow.
Which intake will give the best ET?
Thats with the TB spacer.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
and with the cover and air bridge the opening is about16 square inch. plus all you need is a filter that the square inch is as big as the duct work or the throttle body opening. did you ever notice the 20 inch round air filter all tin with 3 inch by 2 inch opening on the snorkel. go with the VR a proven performer. and my 60 fts are pretty good
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
No what he is saying is that the smallest area is the neck. It does not matter how small or big the airfilter is as long as it can support flow through that.
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)
huge filter on a small opening does not equate to more flow.
the 'complete' system needs to be considered in order to compare.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
yes it is the piece that goes over the stock filters to keep water out. it restricks the opening even more
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
Can't imagine water getting up that high but I guess anything is possible. That would make all the aftermarket intakes vunerable. None have any type of protection. I wonder if this is another factory overkill?
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)
it only helps water coming down from above, though the hood seal. it is only needed when the 'stock air boxes' are used. the 'stock' boxes are not open on the bottom and allow water to collect.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
Water from the top. Now I understand. Looks like some of the aftermarket still have a problem. The ones with the big radius filters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
The airbridge is the plastic air duct that passes over the radiator connecting the air cleaner to the throttle body.
Also,
Tha advantage of an air cleaner with larger area is the velocity of the air through the filter is reduced, resulting in less pressure drop across the filter. The engine breathes easier.