Well, Vararams instructions are the worst instructions I have ever seen on any product on the market...bar none. Problems were mostly with the shroud. I used their template....it didn't create a big enough hole. I had to retrim 3 or 4 times, but remember that I would only find out it wouldn't fit until I had the whole thing together and was trying to make it "fit" on the throttle body. Their instructions for us 08 owners for the bracket and bolt relocation are HORRID. They show you the existing bracket in the picture, and for some reason don't even show you the relocated bracket/bolt location. This leaves you to figure out which bolt to use on the oil cooler and to find a place to mount the bracket to the car. I have no idea why they show you what you can already see. Now on to the biggest issue. I have the thing on, and the car runs fine, the bracket that the base uses to mount to the car is the flimsiest piece of crap I have ever seen, but the hood definitely makes contact with the intake. I have the intake as low as it can be mounted, and the bridge to the throttle body is pressing on the top radiator cover, so it can't go any lower. I can close the hood, but when I pop it, the thing shoots up so you can tell its making contact. I have no idea what to do about that. All said and done, this is the biggest pos I have ever seen and unless I get 3mph more on my trap at the track, it was NOT worth it. BTW, yes, I am mechanically inclined. I have swapped motors(hondas), installed cams(Evos), and built turbo kits(Evos)....none of that has ever fought me as much as this product.

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Sorry you went through that, did you check on the board for additional instructions or helpful hints.

The 06 and 07 with the help of the board made it very easy. Did several of them and got the cutting down pretty damn close and very neat.

 

I know exactly what you mean. I installed one on my 06 (before the maggie), I could not believe the fit and finish, the two halves would not even seal properly. It took me 1/2 day to get the thing to fit correctly. I couldn't stand the way it went thru the shroud. I have the LPE CAI now..........what a difference in quality and design. If I ever buy another one, it will be LPE or Callaway.

 

I used the forum only as a last resort, should have used it as my primary source as it solved all the problems I was having. Anyways, can anyone tell me how/what they did to the intake to keep it from hitting the hood? Its on now and working, but I do not like the fact that it touches the hood.

 

I'm not mechanically inclined and mine fit just fine. The shroud cutting was a pain but it fit once the shroud hole was big enough. You're right though, the template is not big enough. Just be glad you didn't cut your condensor like I did. The VR certainly would not be worth it if it wasn't for the performance. I gained a consistent .2 and 2mph in the 1/8th. Performance over quality in this case.

 

My VR fit like a glove on install with my 06 a6.

 

Just finished installing mine. Did research ahead of time on forum and I had a good article from one of the vette mags. I knew ahead of time that the instructions were poor and I would have to keep trimming the hole until it fit. Any CAI where you're cutting the shroud is a PIA. At least with Vararam you can leave the shroud in the car. Not sure what flimsy bracket you're talking about. I found the unit to be well made. Installation went fine.

 

One word;

CALLAWAY

 

three words eleven twenty one

 

I knew going in I was going to have install problems as that is what I read on this website from a lot of people. However, I also know that it is the best performing intake....so I was willing to put up with the install. However, I didn't think it would be this bad. All I really care about now is getting it low enough to keep from hitting the hood. The bracket the lower half uses is keeping the unit from going any lower as it is attached to the front cross memeber...maybe I should find another pair of holes to attach it too as the instructions didn't really specify.

 

???

 

Fit it in without the bracket attached and see how much lower it is before raising to attach the bracket. Take the bottom unit out and drill new holes the required distances. Mine was about 1/2 inch. Silicone the old holes, bolt the brace to the unit and then bolt the assembly to the car.

 

take the bolts out off the bracket, then put the bottom air intake inplace to go over the biscuts in the grill, have someone hold that in place then put the bracket bolts in

 

Sorry 1.8t to hear about your Vararam nightmare. Your experience though will help others with 08's thinking twice about installing one of these CAI's.

 

Couldn't agree more!!

 

I did mine in about 30 min, no problems. It was easier on my 08 than my 07. The bracket I thought was only for Z06 and I did not use it. I did install the TB spacer and had to figure out which direction the red connection duct went, the one cut at an angle. Glad the Mass air flow sensor was marked top or I would have never figured that out and glad I double checked my friends work though as he left the plastic cover on the new air filter........boy that would have never let any air in.

 

I have read a lot of posts about Vararam's quality not being so great, even one online magazine article I read agreed. So I've been hesitant to pick it over the Callaway or LPE.

A lot of people say the Vararam will gain is a few tenths over the stock unit, but I've never heard a claim made for how much the Callaway or the LPE will gain. Anyone have any numbers for these or any others?

 

Going Callaway here after here this.....it has pushed me over the fence.

 

I installed mine two weekends ago and it was a bear. However, the intake knocked a solid half second off my 1/4 mile time and added 4 mph to the trap. I personally feel the quality of the intake is nice. The shroud was definitely the biggest PITA.

I'm sure you will be happy when you visit the track.

 

It's not like the VR is complete junk...I give it 6 or 7 out of 10 in terms of quality. That is subjective of course. Performance, 10 out of 10. My last intake was the Halltech Stinger. Quality wise, about the same. Performance wise, not even close. If someone wants bang for the buck performance at the dragstrip, where I go often, VR is it. If you don't run your car it shouldn't matter I would think. Go with what looks pretty.