VARARAM install/review
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
Thanks for the article. I have a MTI Xcelerator (clone of the Callway Honker) which is also a closed cold air intake sytem. It too requires a cut shroud-I got the pre-cut and pre-riveted shround which made instal much less time consuming and easier.
Anyways, my testing with HP scanning shows under normal driving conditions on a 63 and 80 degree day while moving at any speed (except WOT)...that it runs on average about 4 to 8 degrees over ambient. At WOT it averages from 4 to 7 degrees below ambient. Of course at idle for awhile, the IAT got up to 95-100 but settles down to its norms after getting up to speed after about 2 minutes. The closed cold air intakes do a great job and far better controlling IAT's than the "warm air" types... unless you close it up like Modshack did.
Anyways, my testing with HP scanning shows under normal driving conditions on a 63 and 80 degree day while moving at any speed (except WOT)...that it runs on average about 4 to 8 degrees over ambient. At WOT it averages from 4 to 7 degrees below ambient. Of course at idle for awhile, the IAT got up to 95-100 but settles down to its norms after getting up to speed after about 2 minutes. The closed cold air intakes do a great job and far better controlling IAT's than the "warm air" types... unless you close it up like Modshack did.
Last edited by siffert; Nov 12, 2008 at 08:16 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: mobile alabama
sold mine
i bought my car with the vararam and slp loudmouth cat back.i am trying to finish a twin turbo install and i wish i never started.
i installed it in to another 04 c5.it only took 2 hours and went easy compare to the stuff on my car.vararam is the most bang for the buck in my book.would do it again and again,mike in mobile
i installed it in to another 04 c5.it only took 2 hours and went easy compare to the stuff on my car.vararam is the most bang for the buck in my book.would do it again and again,mike in mobile
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Love my vararam. I left my shroud in place. Layed the diagram in place and carefully cut it out. Then fitted the Vararam in place. It works best to put it all together. making sure you have a perfect seal/joint fit.
I think people put them together in the car and don't get it right which can cause problems.
I think people put them together in the car and don't get it right which can cause problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Excellent write-up; yet another reason I'm glad I went with the Vararam.
I only wish they had done something different with the flimsy rubber that connects the upper and lower pieces; I'm still having trouble keeping them connected.
The seal and pressure between the upper and lower pieces are still keeping it intact, it just seems that a unit with these benefits to offer should not have skimped on the connectors.
JR
I only wish they had done something different with the flimsy rubber that connects the upper and lower pieces; I'm still having trouble keeping them connected.
The seal and pressure between the upper and lower pieces are still keeping it intact, it just seems that a unit with these benefits to offer should not have skimped on the connectors.JR
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
I installed mine last week. I recommend loosening up the shroud in the car, then cutting it cause its a 
to remove. I used a razor blade and a hack saw blade to cut it. Hack saw blade without the saw. Its sharp enough to cut and soft enough to hold with your hands. Only thing i didnt like about the product was how it fits together with those rubber latches. The foam was so tight the rubber would stretch and come disconnected. I see photos of these left diconnected all the time. After like 8-9 trys i got both sides to stay with the help of a friend. Acceleration changed alot mainly from 60-120 or so.
to remove. I used a razor blade and a hack saw blade to cut it. Hack saw blade without the saw. Its sharp enough to cut and soft enough to hold with your hands. Only thing i didnt like about the product was how it fits together with those rubber latches. The foam was so tight the rubber would stretch and come disconnected. I see photos of these left diconnected all the time. After like 8-9 trys i got both sides to stay with the help of a friend. Acceleration changed alot mainly from 60-120 or so.
