Vararam Install Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Pantego NC
Vararam Install Question
I have purchased a Vararam for my '07 vette, but have a question about the install. I want to put a piece of plywood under the shroud before cutting, but my question is, can this be done without jacking up the car? I do not have a lift or jack. Since there are many of you that have performed this mod, how did you do it?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
It would be very difficult to get a piece of plywood or even cardboard in there without jacking up the car.
And just so you know, I had to have the car up in the air to even finish cutting the hole in the shroud. Needed it up in the air also to change out the oil cooler bracket as mine is a Z51 car and the stock bracket has to go.
I ended up not putting anything between the shroud and condensor. If you could see in there from the bottom, you would find that in the area you are cutting you are a good 6-8 inches away from the condensor. Only way you are going to hit the consdensor is if you go all the way thru the shroud with your entire hand. You would have to mess up really bad for even a chance of that happening.
And by the way, even with a sharp blade, that shroud is alot harder to cut than most make it out to be. I had to cut a couple of areas with tin snips as there was just no way to get the blade to cut thru some of the thicker sections. Plan on some additional trimming also as it is difficult to get the cut out exactly right on the first attempt.
And just so you know, I had to have the car up in the air to even finish cutting the hole in the shroud. Needed it up in the air also to change out the oil cooler bracket as mine is a Z51 car and the stock bracket has to go.
I ended up not putting anything between the shroud and condensor. If you could see in there from the bottom, you would find that in the area you are cutting you are a good 6-8 inches away from the condensor. Only way you are going to hit the consdensor is if you go all the way thru the shroud with your entire hand. You would have to mess up really bad for even a chance of that happening.
And by the way, even with a sharp blade, that shroud is alot harder to cut than most make it out to be. I had to cut a couple of areas with tin snips as there was just no way to get the blade to cut thru some of the thicker sections. Plan on some additional trimming also as it is difficult to get the cut out exactly right on the first attempt.
Cruising
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Tx
I don't remember jacking up he car when I installed mine. I cut mine out with a box cutter just didn't push the blade all the way out. It's been a while but I do remember using a piece of cardboard. Whatever you do take your time and, DO NOT cut too deep, those fins on the a/c condenser are more fragile than you think.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I used this exact model
http://www.harborfreight.com/multifu...ool-67256.html
Tommyv, I was unable to get your link to work otherwise i would not have posted a link.
http://www.harborfreight.com/multifu...ool-67256.html
Tommyv, I was unable to get your link to work otherwise i would not have posted a link.
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Pro
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 611
Likes: 3
From: Milwaukee WI
St. Jude Donor '13
I used a utility knife with curved roofing blades. I bought the blades and knife for less than 8 bux.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FIXED-BLADE-UTIL...item3cb10c05bc
The curved blade makes it impossible to puncture the radiator while cutting the shroud. The total install time took 40 min taking it slow and easy. the cutting blade is on the bottom so you pull towards you as you cut.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FIXED-BLADE-UTIL...item3cb10c05bc
The curved blade makes it impossible to puncture the radiator while cutting the shroud. The total install time took 40 min taking it slow and easy. the cutting blade is on the bottom so you pull towards you as you cut.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
If you have a Z51 car, you are going to have to get it up in the air. That cooler bracket has to go. I flipped the original bracket upside down and then added another piece to secure to existing bolts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown WV
I also slid a piece of cardboard under mine for safety. On a Z06 the only place you are close to the radiator is when you are cutting the top of the shroud.
As said above, the shroud is very hard to cut. If I did it again I would get one of those vibrating dremel tools. I did it with a razor knife and heated it up with a lighter to help it cut.
As said above, the shroud is very hard to cut. If I did it again I would get one of those vibrating dremel tools. I did it with a razor knife and heated it up with a lighter to help it cut.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Sherman Oaks CA
What about using a soldering gun with a plastic cutting blade? Seems to me it would reduce any risk of damaging the radiator and its fully controllable when used with a trigger activated soldering gun.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Pantego NC
Thanks for all the help guys. I went the route of using a vibration/oscillating cutter to cut the shroud. It made quick work of it and it was really easy. The whole install took about two hours and I took my time. Thanks again for all the help.
Last edited by Flzlo; May 30, 2011 at 12:30 PM.