New Vararam Snake Charmer Quality?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: Huntington Beach CA
New Vararam Snake Charmer Quality?
I just pre assembled my new one. How can this thing not leak in dirt? I slid the filter into the sponge gasket of the upper half. I then lined up and installed the lower half. It fits pretty poor. In one corner of the filter about 1/4" of the sponge rubber is visible. The two halves just don't seem like they are a match, and inspite of the picture I reversed it 180 degrees just for the heck of it and it was worse, not to mention that would face the wrong way for the ram air affect. When I close the clasps it barely holds the upper and lower halves together. It just gently snugs them together. Is this right? I don't think I want this thing on my car.
Last edited by tclhb; Aug 12, 2011 at 10:25 PM. Reason: spelling
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
I just pre assembled my new one. How can this thing not leak in dirt? I slid the filter into the sponge gasket of the upper half. I then lined up and installed the lower half. It fits pretty poor. In one corner of the filter about 1/4" of the sponge rubber is visible. The two halves just don't seem like they are a match, and inspite of the picture I reversed it 180 degrees just for the heck of it and it was worse, not to mention that would face the wrong way for the ram air affect. When I close the clasps it barely holds the upper and lower halves together. It just gently snugs them together. Is this right? I don't think I want this thing on my car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I had one on the car for a while. It works but I never was real comfortable with the fit or ease of installation regarding cleaning. I never saw any dirt get pass the filter.
The unit is not CARB legal and I re-installed the stock unit.
Also I was not comfortable with the possibility of hydro locking the engine with the snorkel being so very low.
The unit produces power at speed but it just was a good fit for me in.more ways than one.
The unit is not CARB legal and I re-installed the stock unit.
Also I was not comfortable with the possibility of hydro locking the engine with the snorkel being so very low.
The unit produces power at speed but it just was a good fit for me in.more ways than one.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 7
From: DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA
St. Jude Donor '10-'13
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 7
From: DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA
St. Jude Donor '10-'13
I had the Vararam CAI on my 06 and it did work. But decided to go to the B.P.P. Vortex CAI on my 08. Very happy with this unit...works great and the fit and finish is superior to that of the Vararam!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: Huntington Beach CA
Thank you for all of the replies! I am looking at the Callaway Honker. That's another that my tuner recommends. I have an apointment to get the car tuned Monday, so I need to make a decision here quick. I'm hoping to track down a Calloway in Southern California today.
The Vararam might be OK. I can't really tell whether or not it would leak unfiltered air past the filter. Funtion over form. I'm just not 100% confident in the function.
The Vararam might be OK. I can't really tell whether or not it would leak unfiltered air past the filter. Funtion over form. I'm just not 100% confident in the function.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Thank you for all of the replies! I am looking at the Callaway Honker. That's another that my tuner recommends. I have an apointment to get the car tuned Monday, so I need to make a decision here quick. I'm hoping to track down a Calloway in Southern California today.
The Vararam might be OK. I can't really tell whether or not it would leak unfiltered air past the filter. Funtion over form. I'm just not 100% confident in the function.
The Vararam might be OK. I can't really tell whether or not it would leak unfiltered air past the filter. Funtion over form. I'm just not 100% confident in the function.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,226
Likes: 112
From: Short Hills, NJ
All of this (which may or may not actually even be an issue):
Can be easily solved by doing this:
It likely won't leak...but you can put it together outside of the car and inspect it for any gaps before installing the entire unit as one to be sure.
You can be VERY confident of it's function, as a cold air intake the Vararam simply works it's *** off out on the track and street.
Ask me how I know. 
You can be VERY confident of it's function, as a cold air intake the Vararam simply works it's *** off out on the track and street.
Ask me how I know.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 13
I just pre assembled my new one. How can this thing not leak in dirt? I slid the filter into the sponge gasket of the upper half. I then lined up and installed the lower half. It fits pretty poor. In one corner of the filter about 1/4" of the sponge rubber is visible. The two halves just don't seem like they are a match, and inspite of the picture I reversed it 180 degrees just for the heck of it and it was worse, not to mention that would face the wrong way for the ram air affect. When I close the clasps it barely holds the upper and lower halves together. It just gently snugs them together. Is this right? I don't think I want this thing on my car.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
I have the newest version and simply don't like it. Callaway would be the best choice as far as I am concerned.
For those few that need to know, you can not install the newest version completely asemblied anymore. The red bracket is gone and in its' place are two rubber expanding screw/grommets that you have to get to from the top opening of the lower shroud. You have to install the lower shroud first and then the top. The entire fit is just plan crap and a real pain to put in and take out. It turned out to be everything I was afraid it would be.
Get the Callaway.
For those few that need to know, you can not install the newest version completely asemblied anymore. The red bracket is gone and in its' place are two rubber expanding screw/grommets that you have to get to from the top opening of the lower shroud. You have to install the lower shroud first and then the top. The entire fit is just plan crap and a real pain to put in and take out. It turned out to be everything I was afraid it would be.
Get the Callaway.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I have the newest version and simply don't like it. Callaway would be the best choice as far as I am concerned.
For those few that need to know, you can not install the newest version completely asemblied anymore. The red bracket is gone and in its' place are two rubber expanding screw/grommets that you have to get to from the top opening of the lower shroud. You have to install the lower shroud first and then the top. The entire fit is just plan crap and a real pain to put in and take out. It turned out to be everything I was afraid it would be.
Get the Callaway.
For those few that need to know, you can not install the newest version completely asemblied anymore. The red bracket is gone and in its' place are two rubber expanding screw/grommets that you have to get to from the top opening of the lower shroud. You have to install the lower shroud first and then the top. The entire fit is just plan crap and a real pain to put in and take out. It turned out to be everything I was afraid it would be.
Get the Callaway.
I have yet to see the latest version, but it sounds like the unit is still not user friendly.
If a guy really thinks he needs the xtra air the Vararam does work at higher speeds. Just kinda a funky set up though and not emission compliant on California.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,402
From: Bethesda MD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Im assuming that VR has built up enough of a rep on the performance gains that it doesn't need to worry about the quality? I've honestly been hearing quality complaints for years. Is it really that bad?....but in all fairness I've also been hearing performance praises for years too.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 3
From: Huntington Beach CA
Im assuming that VR has built up enough of a rep on the performance gains that it doesn't need to worry about the quality? I've honestly been hearing quality complaints for years. Is it really that bad?....but in all fairness I've also been hearing performance praises for years too.
Thanks for all the replies and advice!
Last edited by tclhb; Aug 15, 2011 at 02:21 PM. Reason: Add California
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,226
Likes: 112
From: Short Hills, NJ
