Not here to "push" Callaway product on Vararam fans. I was just curious about your comment: "Nothing against Callaway, but . . ." I wanted to know why you believed that Callaway was lacking, power-wise. So when you mentioned that you got your information from the "web" and magazine articles, I posted the Challenge results, showing that the Honker-equipped "bolt-on" car was pretty fast (#3 on the list) without the mods that the other fast cars had. With all due respect for Dennis, the "top guy" you mention was in a car that is much more modified than the Callaway test car was when it posted those numbers.

Posting the Challenge data wasn't intended to offend anyone on the list.

 

are we comparing oranges to apples LS3 to LS2 my rwhp was less then yours mine 376 rwhp 375 rwtq. ive been on top of the list many times and the longest no LS2 has come close since december last year I've been waiting it took you with an LS3 which i went out and beat then theofel with an LS3 which i went out and beat. and now i had to beat my time again twice, and i am still capable to go a lot faster. why didnt you run any LS2s in the bolt/on list. and that 550 callaway package in the h&c number one spot is going to fall to a cam only

 

Definitely oranges and apples.

 

which one is the apple

 

I just finished putting the Vararam in my '08. Took me about 3 hours. It was a PITA for sure but no more so than the Vortech I put on my '01 Z. As far as parts quality goes, I think it's as good as the Vortech and the Halltech Stinger I had on my '04 Z. No complaints about fit and finish.

The instructions do suck! They leave a lot to the imagination. Particularly with the oil cooler bracket. A picture of the bracket installed would have been VERY helpful. You're left figuring that out for yourself.

I put the template all the way down to the frame but I still ended up with a gap in the shroud at the top. Not a big deal I guess but that open space along the top of the shroud does look like crap.

The kit came with a piece of black stripping but the instructions don't mention anything about it. Unless I missed it. I assume its an edging for the shroud hole. I didn't use it. Could someone confirm what it's for?

I also didn't use the spacer. Didn't feel like messing with it. Maybe at some point in the future I'll put it on.

When I had it all together the bridge sat up real high and I couldn't get the unit attached to the TB. I finally loosened all the clamps and massaged the couplers until I got it to fit. The instructions tell you to connect everything to the bridge and then to connect the completed unit to the TB. They should tell you not to tighten ANY of the clamps until the coupler is on the TB. It is not an easy fit.

It was a pain to install but not really any worse than other units I've had that require cutting the shroud. There's just no easy way around that. I took the car out for a quick test drive and didn't notice much of an improvement. I'll wait for the computer to learn before I pass any judgment. Vararam says the car will run rich initially until things get dialed in. I could smell fuel on my short trip so I guess they weren't kidding.

I read the install horror stories from others so I was a bit apprehensive about getting the Vararam. But now that I've put one in, it wasn't all that bad. The instructions could be much better and the template could be better than a flimsy folded up Xeroxed a 100 times piece of paper, but I think the unit itself is more than adequate. Just my .02.

 

Never said the Callaway was lacking. What has been shown from mags, the net and my experience is the VR gives best gains at the track...from what I found. I could care less about dyno numbers in this instance. Guys gaining up to 4 mph and .3 or .4 ET is impressive in my book. I gained a consistent .2 and 2 mph in the 1/8th mile alone. My point with the list, as has been mentioned, is it's apples and orange with the top spot being a guy with an LS2 and a VR. Didn't Dennis gain 4 mph in the 1/4 with the VR? Anyway, best way to do a shootout, same car, same driver, same day and see with one gives the best gains....perhaps trying to keep all variables consistent.

 

Maybe Carbon Fiber, I'm sure some forum members wouldn't mind spending al little more on something that looked better

 

Im not sure which is funnier....

The fact that you think your ET is credited more to the Vararam rather the gears, headers, tune, and high stall converter you have...and you make excuses about the LS3 hp advantage.

Funny #2 is bragging about running a huge, non emissions compliant cam where the idle has to be set up high so the brakes work and comparing that to Callaway's package which is 100% emissions compliant and a great daily driver....

Apples to Oranges is an understatement.

 

thats facts, dont come to a gun fight with a knife, he made the statement that i was modded more than him, i didn't. lets be real he has to dyno higher than me, for months all i have been reading is how much more power the LS3 has, how well it responds to mods, has anything changed, i guarantee my car weighs more. the converter is only an equalizer to a manual. callaway is a great car builder. the fact is i dont see a callaway car LS2 on the bolt/on list. the question was asked if their was any LS2 data, i dont see the answer. now as for #2 lets be realistic i am close enough that i could possibly do a couple more mods and beat the 550 and stay emissions compliant with bolt/ons only. it is possible.

 

Here is a link to a magazine review/install of the Vararam, might be helpful to anyone doing an install of one.

They have a few complaints about the quality and the fit and finish. Their testing shows about 2 tenths and 2 mph improvement in the quarter, similar to the Callaway posted numbers.

http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_07...kit/index.html

 

thats some good info Jim, but they drove so slow i dont think it could be accurate

 

Heres another install and test article of a VR:

http://www.vararam.com/gmhightech.html#page6

 

The black stripping is a length of Trim Lok and you are correct - it is an edging for the shroud!!! Hope you enjoy the unit - let us know if you have any concerns!!!
Thanks
Steve

 

Just curious,

So I've seen several pics and read several comments regarding the gap between the VR and the shroud (with the rubber strip). How is this problem solved or is it just the nature of the beast? I'd hate to have a big gap like that on my car.

 

The fact is you are indeed way more modded. Your headers and tune make up more than the 30hp stock difference. Then there are the gears, and converter....

Id say its more than an equalizer there are guys on the C4 board running stock LT1's into the mid-low 12s with just a converter, catback, and DR's. Thats about a 1-1.5 second reduction. Equalizer???

Just curious if you put a stroker and nitrous in the car and run 9s will you STILL credit the Vararam for getting you there?

Still apples to oranges.

 

I am not going to jump into this tussel, but I will say a converter is WAY more than an equalizer when it comes to drag racing as compared to a manual tranny.

 

so true....

 

Lets see guys,
LS2 Stock Auto 330-340 rwhp, Manual 350-360 rwhp
LS3 Stock Auto 370-380 rwhp, Manual 380-390 rwhp

So i would say the converter is the equalizer.

 

Converter is more than an equalizer...there's a reason why most serious bracket racers use automatics.

Assuming equal traction, a stalled auto is going to get a faster 60 than any manual due to the torque multiplication. The best drivers on the board (and some I know personally) get 1.5's beating the heck out of their car (and I can write a list of broken transmissions, rears and clutches on the path to a 1.5 out of a manual trans car).

A 3500 stall auto with traction is 1.5 easy. Ask Dennis or Theofel. I say easy, preventing spinning is the trick, but believe me, it's easier to do that trying to balance a 4500-5000 clutch dump without spinning or breaking a rear!!!