Vararam Power Wedge
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 209
From: Louisville KY
The instructions that came with the Vararam wedge state that for custom tuned vehicles that (quote: this product offers substantial gains; these gains will result in more airflow which means more MAF scaling. Some vehicles that have been custom tuned may need to be re-tuned so the MAF does not over scale. Using the LS3 wedge spacer MAF scaling will rise substantially at lower/mid range RPM levels, + 175-250HZ, peak HZ is usually +90-120HZ) My 08 LS3 falls in this category and after installing a power wedge to my Vararam CAI the car is now throwing a MAF code. the car was not re-tuned after instillation on the advice of the dyno shop that had previously tuned the car. Frankly after questioning them about re scaling the MAF I am not convinced they understand how to do this. If anyone here is familiar with what is required to re scale the MAF and under what conditions a dyno tuner would re scale the MAF I would appreciate an explanation.
Last edited by jstewart; Nov 24, 2012 at 03:44 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 3
From: Sumter SC
I really don't put much stock in dyno tests, so I'd like to see some timeslips. Since it's a simple 10 minute install, a test at the track would tell the real world difference.
3 passes to establish consistancy, then 2 passes with the wedge to show the difference, and 1 more pass without the wedge to verify a return to the previous numbers and eliminate DA and track condition variables.
I'd gladly pay $100 to cut as little as a verified .05 off my ET.
3 passes to establish consistancy, then 2 passes with the wedge to show the difference, and 1 more pass without the wedge to verify a return to the previous numbers and eliminate DA and track condition variables.
I'd gladly pay $100 to cut as little as a verified .05 off my ET.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 3
From: Sumter SC
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Differences?
3600 Yank - to get 1.5x 60' times
cat-less - w/Z06 mufflers
probably weight - I get **** when trying for a PB - under 3000#
seat time - over 300 passes with this car
The little details add up, so keep track of each pass and the DA at that time. Then you can make adjustments, corrections, or mods and be able to determine if they were good or bad.
3600 Yank - to get 1.5x 60' times
cat-less - w/Z06 mufflers
probably weight - I get **** when trying for a PB - under 3000#
seat time - over 300 passes with this car
The little details add up, so keep track of each pass and the DA at that time. Then you can make adjustments, corrections, or mods and be able to determine if they were good or bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Sorry for all the questions but there doesn't seem to be many people with this mod.
Thanks
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
Also a question I have, in a stock tune the MAF can adjust for air differences to a degree. When you get a custom tune do they take away the ability for adjustment for air changes? Im assuming thats why a tuned car needs to be retuned?
Last edited by S'vette; Nov 27, 2012 at 12:15 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 73
From: La Quinta Ca
so a stock tuned car or a tuned car before the wedge? It looks like the orignal test was done on a tuned car then you added the wedge and did not retune?
Also a question I have, in a stock tune the MAF can adjust for air differences to a degree. When you get a custom tune do they take away the ability for adjustment for air changes? Im assuming thats why a tuned car needs to be retuned?
Also a question I have, in a stock tune the MAF can adjust for air differences to a degree. When you get a custom tune do they take away the ability for adjustment for air changes? Im assuming thats why a tuned car needs to be retuned?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 209
From: Louisville KY
The instructions that came with the Vararam wedge state that for custom tuned vehicles that (quote: this product offers substantial gains; these gains will result in more airflow which means more MAF scaling. Some vehicles that have been custom tuned may need to be re-tuned so the MAF does not over scale. Using the LS3 wedge spacer MAF scaling will rise substantially at lower/mid range RPM levels, + 175-250HZ, peak HZ is usually +90-120HZ) My 08 LS3 falls in this category and after installing a power wedge to my Vararam CAI the car is now throwing a MAF code. the car was not re-tuned after instillation on the advice of the dyno shop that had previously tuned the car. Frankly after questioning them about re scaling the MAF I am not convinced they understand how to do this. If anyone here is familiar with what is required to re scale the MAF and under what conditions a dyno tuner would re scale the MAF I would appreciate an explanation.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 861
Likes: 71
From: Walnut Creek CA
I got and installed power wedge on my 2012 GS. I didnt notice any diference, actually i feel like i lost acceleration speed with it. feels like throttle is lazy and slow after install.
Im getting headers put on in 2 days, maybe it will work better with it.
Im getting headers put on in 2 days, maybe it will work better with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
is your tune stock or custom?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Honestly, I doubt many would be able to feel 6rwhp/5rwtq as witnessed in the posted dyno sheet. Or even the claimed 8-10rwhp from VaraRam. But, I'd be willing to accept a confirmed 6+rwhp for $100. Still researching.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
One person's real world power wedge results!
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Nov 28, 2012 at 01:05 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
throttle response is what bothers me. It should have improved it not made it worse. Glad I got the cow booster to solve that. Sounds like a 100 I wont be spending now and will probably just do a water/meth kit which usually results in about 20 to the wheels and keeps the engine clean.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
I looked at the wedge, it redirects the incoming air upward into the intake manifold which may or may not improve torque, etc. However adding length after the throttle body may also cause what "Dado5" felt IMHO.
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Nov 28, 2012 at 12:53 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
Plus they say a stock car doesnt need to be tuned. So some more field work is needed by members I guess.