Vararam install issues
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
Another thought I have about the surging is that the stock intake and MAF and all is tuned for the stock setup. Now all of a sudden air is being rammed into the MAF at a greater velocity cooling the sensor wire more quickly making the ECU think its getting more air like the MAF was bigger or something and adjusting trying to compensate trying to make the car more lean or rich (whichever it would do in that case). Thats why the DIY mod of putting a plate over the cut out hole works, it kinda aloows cooler air but stops the greater velocity. Just my 2 cents.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
It can be subtle at first. Usually worse when engine is cold. Steady cruising rpm needed to feel. I get it only on surface streets. 3rd or 4th gear at 30,35 mph. You can do a search on this concerning the MAF screen.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
I have an 08 with VR also. No surging. Chuck Cow tune. You need a GOOD tuner. I have a mustang that still isnt right after having a bad tune performed by a sopposedly good tuner. Gotta get it retuned by somone else. It's all in the tune. You'll need a 160 degree thermostat also. Also, I just had mt Harley Rocker C tuned after some intake and exhaust mods and it runs perfect. All in the tune.
Last edited by Fuego; Dec 16, 2010 at 02:03 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
Just figured it out, I think. Because you're making more torque at speed with the VR, you're noticing torque management kicking in more. When you shift to 3rd a give it a nice power punch the TM is fighting you all to hell(pulling timing which reduces torque for a second). That will be turned off (in effect) with a tune.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
I have an 08 with VR also. No surging. Chuck Cow tune. You need a GOOD tuner. I have a mustang that still isnt right after having a bad tune performed by a sopposedly good tuner. Gotta get it retuned by somone else. It's all in the tune. You'll need a 160 degree thermostat also. Also, I just had mt Harley Rocker C tuned after some intake and exhaust mods and it runs perfect. All in the tune.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Yes, absolutely.
YES, ABSOLUTELY a tune will help....
Good job on the install Narshadda. You can either use the stock accordion or the
red ring. Either is fine.
There are absolutely NO surging problems with the VARARAM!.
Seems you have an A6 car and let me tell you...
The AutoCal and MY TUNE will make all your problems go away in one swoop! It's Easy and INEXPENSIVE!
One word of advice.... I was looking that the photos of the install fro the OP and noticed one problem.
If you look at the MAF SENSOR plug, it's slightly elevated from the exact centerline of the intake or better yet, It's NOT perfectly horizontal.
The reason why it's soooooo important that it's perfectly horizontal is that
if I send you a tune for it, the tune will not be as accurate.
In EVERY VARARAM we install with the MAF in the aluminum adapter it's perfectly horizontal
and if yours isn't, the MAF readings will be skewed.
The MAF element sticks out into the airflow path horizontal and if you rotate the MAF or if everyone installs it on a different angle, then the readings will not be consistent.
As a rule of thumb...ALWAYS make sure that type of MAF is horizontal.
Call me if you're interested in a really cool tune for that car....
Chuck CoW
Good job on the install Narshadda. You can either use the stock accordion or the
red ring. Either is fine.
There are absolutely NO surging problems with the VARARAM!.
Seems you have an A6 car and let me tell you...
The AutoCal and MY TUNE will make all your problems go away in one swoop! It's Easy and INEXPENSIVE!
One word of advice.... I was looking that the photos of the install fro the OP and noticed one problem.
If you look at the MAF SENSOR plug, it's slightly elevated from the exact centerline of the intake or better yet, It's NOT perfectly horizontal.
The reason why it's soooooo important that it's perfectly horizontal is that
if I send you a tune for it, the tune will not be as accurate.
In EVERY VARARAM we install with the MAF in the aluminum adapter it's perfectly horizontal
and if yours isn't, the MAF readings will be skewed.
The MAF element sticks out into the airflow path horizontal and if you rotate the MAF or if everyone installs it on a different angle, then the readings will not be consistent.
As a rule of thumb...ALWAYS make sure that type of MAF is horizontal.
Call me if you're interested in a really cool tune for that car....
Chuck CoW
Last edited by Chuck CoW; Dec 16, 2010 at 10:36 PM.
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