Uninstall Vararam
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Uninstall Vararam
I recently bought a used 2002 Z06 with a Vararam intake installed. I want to remove it and restore it to stock configuration. Unfortunately, I do not have the installation instructions. Is it as simple as removing the unit and replacing it with the stock air box? Have other intake parts been replaced or modified? Can someone on the forum E-mail me a copy of the Vararam installation instructions? Unfortunately, I do not have a stock 2002 Z06 to compare against.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT.
Check VaraRam web site for there instilation instructions. rbatric had very discriptive instructions on this site with good pictures that may be helpfull to you. Each to there own on what they want to run. 
Ric
Ric
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
About a month ago, I was stuck in a torrential rainstorm and scared to make my 1.5 hour drive down the highway arfraid of sucking water...anyway, I had the stock airbox in the rear (just in case) and stopped at a car wash to put it back on. Turned out that the car was so used to getting all that air, it wouldn't even idle with the factory airbox back on. Drove home with the vararam all highway, 1.5 hours, torrential rain, no probelms at all. I've since thrown away the stock airbox. Keep the vararam on.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by TLewis4095
Why in the world would you want to go back to sufficating such a beautiful engine? The Vararam/Breathless/Blackwing?K&N are all the single best improvment to the LS1/LS6. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Vararam uninstall
My possible reasons for uninstalling the Vararam include the following.
1. Cheap construction (looks cheap on this nice car)
2. Ill fitting
3. Possibility of hydrolock (however remote)
4. Foam filter (these eventually disintegrate)
5. Foam filter is hard to service
6. I think its effects are negligible at best
Since I am new to the forum (so called "junior member"), I am willing to be educated about the benefits of the Vararam. Although this is my first Corvette, I am not new to high performance cars as having owned a number of them since 1969. My first car was a brand new 1969 Dodge Super Bee with a factory ram air system which even had a **** under the dash to open and close it. I could tell no diifference either way. Does anyone have any quantifiable results showing that the Vararam does indeed increase HP? I am talking about such things as dyno testing, drag strip times, or measured time from a predetermined start speed to a predetermined end speed (such as time from 60 to 100). Does anyone know of any magazine test articles? I am an engineer and when it comes to performance I can only trust quantifiable testing. Remarks such as "I think I feel a difference" do not impress me. When you have paid $350 for something, you have a tendency to feel improvement whether it is there or not. The best I have seen in my limited time on the forum is a statement that drag strip trap speeds improved by 1 to 3 MPH. That is such a small amount as to be insignificant because any number of variables between runs could have caused this such as air temperature, air pressure, tire temperature, engine temperature, wind, etc.
The other problem I see when people claim improvement is that multiple aftermarket items have been installed such as Vararam and headers. With this situation, it is impossible to tell whether the improvement came from headers or the Vararam.
I do not intend to insult anyone (please no flames). If you like the way the Vararam looks or whatever that is OK with me. I am just seeking quantifiable evidence that this thing really works. The factory Z06 setup already allows for cold air input. That is why the vents are there and the airbox is just above them. The only question here is the ram air effect. If it were that easy to get that extra power, the GM engineers would have already done it.
Comments?
1. Cheap construction (looks cheap on this nice car)
2. Ill fitting
3. Possibility of hydrolock (however remote)
4. Foam filter (these eventually disintegrate)
5. Foam filter is hard to service
6. I think its effects are negligible at best
Since I am new to the forum (so called "junior member"), I am willing to be educated about the benefits of the Vararam. Although this is my first Corvette, I am not new to high performance cars as having owned a number of them since 1969. My first car was a brand new 1969 Dodge Super Bee with a factory ram air system which even had a **** under the dash to open and close it. I could tell no diifference either way. Does anyone have any quantifiable results showing that the Vararam does indeed increase HP? I am talking about such things as dyno testing, drag strip times, or measured time from a predetermined start speed to a predetermined end speed (such as time from 60 to 100). Does anyone know of any magazine test articles? I am an engineer and when it comes to performance I can only trust quantifiable testing. Remarks such as "I think I feel a difference" do not impress me. When you have paid $350 for something, you have a tendency to feel improvement whether it is there or not. The best I have seen in my limited time on the forum is a statement that drag strip trap speeds improved by 1 to 3 MPH. That is such a small amount as to be insignificant because any number of variables between runs could have caused this such as air temperature, air pressure, tire temperature, engine temperature, wind, etc.
The other problem I see when people claim improvement is that multiple aftermarket items have been installed such as Vararam and headers. With this situation, it is impossible to tell whether the improvement came from headers or the Vararam.
I do not intend to insult anyone (please no flames). If you like the way the Vararam looks or whatever that is OK with me. I am just seeking quantifiable evidence that this thing really works. The factory Z06 setup already allows for cold air input. That is why the vents are there and the airbox is just above them. The only question here is the ram air effect. If it were that easy to get that extra power, the GM engineers would have already done it.
Comments?
Last edited by slwhite; Jul 13, 2004 at 12:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,599
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Will probably put one on when I get the $. From what I've seen the difference may not seem not huge, but 1-3 MPH is very significant, whether from 107 to 110 or low teens to high teens (114 to 117). However, I do understand wanting to keep the car stock. Just have fun with the Z!!!
Last edited by vetterlatethannever; Jul 13, 2004 at 02:05 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 0
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by slwhite
My possible reasons for uninstalling the Vararam include the following.
1. Cheap construction (looks cheap on this nice car)
2. Ill fitting
3. Possibility of hydrolock (however remote)
4. Foam filter (these eventually disintegrate)
5. Foam filter is hard to service
6. I think its effects are negligible at best
Since I am new to the forum (so called "junior member"), I am willing to be educated about the benefits of the Vararam. Although this is my first Corvette, I am not new to high performance cars as having owned a number of them since 1969. My first car was a brand new 1969 Dodge Super Bee with a factory ram air system which even had a **** under the dash to open and close it. I could tell no diifference either way. Does anyone have any quantifiable results showing that the Vararam does indeed increase HP? I am talking about such things as dyno testing, drag strip times, or measured time from a predetermined start speed to a predetermined end speed (such as time from 60 to 100). Does anyone know of any magazine test articles? I am an engineer and when it comes to performance I can only trust quantifiable testing. Remarks such as "I think I feel a difference" do not impress me. When you have paid $350 for something, you have a tendency to feel improvement whether it is there or not. The best I have seen in my limited time on the forum is a statement that drag strip trap speeds improved by 1 to 3 MPH. That is such a small amount as to be insignificant because any number of variables between runs could have caused this such as air temperature, air pressure, tire temperature, engine temperature, wind, etc.
The other problem I see when people claim improvement is that multiple aftermarket items have been installed such as Vararam and headers. With this situation, it is impossible to tell whether the improvement came from headers or the Vararam.
I do not intend to insult anyone (please no flames). If you like the way the Vararam looks or whatever that is OK with me. I am just seeking quantifiable evidence that this thing really works. The factory Z06 setup already allows for cold air input. That is why the vents are there and the airbox is just above them. The only question here is the ram air effect. If it were that easy to get that extra power, the GM engineers would have already done it.
Comments?
1. Cheap construction (looks cheap on this nice car)
2. Ill fitting
3. Possibility of hydrolock (however remote)
4. Foam filter (these eventually disintegrate)
5. Foam filter is hard to service
6. I think its effects are negligible at best
Since I am new to the forum (so called "junior member"), I am willing to be educated about the benefits of the Vararam. Although this is my first Corvette, I am not new to high performance cars as having owned a number of them since 1969. My first car was a brand new 1969 Dodge Super Bee with a factory ram air system which even had a **** under the dash to open and close it. I could tell no diifference either way. Does anyone have any quantifiable results showing that the Vararam does indeed increase HP? I am talking about such things as dyno testing, drag strip times, or measured time from a predetermined start speed to a predetermined end speed (such as time from 60 to 100). Does anyone know of any magazine test articles? I am an engineer and when it comes to performance I can only trust quantifiable testing. Remarks such as "I think I feel a difference" do not impress me. When you have paid $350 for something, you have a tendency to feel improvement whether it is there or not. The best I have seen in my limited time on the forum is a statement that drag strip trap speeds improved by 1 to 3 MPH. That is such a small amount as to be insignificant because any number of variables between runs could have caused this such as air temperature, air pressure, tire temperature, engine temperature, wind, etc.
The other problem I see when people claim improvement is that multiple aftermarket items have been installed such as Vararam and headers. With this situation, it is impossible to tell whether the improvement came from headers or the Vararam.
I do not intend to insult anyone (please no flames). If you like the way the Vararam looks or whatever that is OK with me. I am just seeking quantifiable evidence that this thing really works. The factory Z06 setup already allows for cold air input. That is why the vents are there and the airbox is just above them. The only question here is the ram air effect. If it were that easy to get that extra power, the GM engineers would have already done it.
Comments?
"I dynoed my stock Z06 yesterday May 15, and put down 356 rwhp and 346 rwtq.
I then installed the Halltech Stinger right on the dyno and pulled 369 rwhp and 360 rwtq. The A/F sniffer came out of the tailpipe during the second run, so I made a third pull immediately and got 365 rwhp and 356 rwtq. Heat obviously brings the numbers on that pull down a little, but I wanted a backup. I also wanted to give you an accurate A/F comparison.
No tuning, no other changes, about 10 - 15 minutes to swap the intake."
I gained over 12 RWHP with this intake and Borla Stingers (cat-backs), so I can attest to the seat-of-the-pants difference. I also did a cold-air mod, since my fog light covers block any cooling air from entering the engine bay.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Just to satisfy my curiosity, I compared the area of the stock airbox intake side to its output side. It measured to be about 12.5 square inches. Surface area difference between intake port and discharge port is within 1/2 square inch. The stock filter element also appears to be bigger than the Vararam foam element. This seems to tell me that the stock airbox and filter are well matched to the engine as is. If you want a little more flow for insurance, you can easily cut the intake opening of the stock airbox a little bigger. This seems a lot cheaper than spending $350 for a new airbox.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton FLORIDA
Please read the Lewis Family Racing vararam test results in this section.
We have used several after market air intake systems over the past 5-6 years on C5's and I will say the stock box is the weakest part of the vette design and changing it (especially to a Vararam) is by far the best mod for the money.
Ask Mike Norris, Vettedoctors, Cartek, and dozens of other performance mod vendors on here and all will tell you, stock air system is the biggest restriction to power on the LS1/6 engines.
If you don't like the foam filter contact Vararam for the K&N style replacement.
We have used several after market air intake systems over the past 5-6 years on C5's and I will say the stock box is the weakest part of the vette design and changing it (especially to a Vararam) is by far the best mod for the money.
Ask Mike Norris, Vettedoctors, Cartek, and dozens of other performance mod vendors on here and all will tell you, stock air system is the biggest restriction to power on the LS1/6 engines.
If you don't like the foam filter contact Vararam for the K&N style replacement.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Denver co
Originally Posted by TLewis4095
Please read the Lewis Family Racing vararam test results in this section.
We have used several after market air intake systems over the past 5-6 years on C5's and I will say the stock box is the weakest part of the vette design and changing it (especially to a Vararam) is by far the best mod for the money.
Ask Mike Norris, Vettedoctors, Cartek, and dozens of other performance mod vendors on here and all will tell you, stock air system is the biggest restriction to power on the LS1/6 engines.
If you don't like the foam filter contact Vararam for the K&N style replacement.
We have used several after market air intake systems over the past 5-6 years on C5's and I will say the stock box is the weakest part of the vette design and changing it (especially to a Vararam) is by far the best mod for the money.
Ask Mike Norris, Vettedoctors, Cartek, and dozens of other performance mod vendors on here and all will tell you, stock air system is the biggest restriction to power on the LS1/6 engines.
If you don't like the foam filter contact Vararam for the K&N style replacement.
I just bought this system and haven't install it yet. It look very professional. I heard that earlier version were not as nice.
Go to Vararam web site and you will see the HP improvement and Dyno.
You will also find the installation detailled with pictures
http://www.vararam.com/vr1b_install01.html
Why GM does not install it. Then I agree with Slwhite, some may have been lucky driving under heavy rain but if you cross a car that splash you while opening at full throttle you may damage the engine no question about it.
Vararam stipulate that in their notice that if the car if driven under rain the rain can enter the engine and damage it. GM is giving 3 years of waranty and 36000 miles in every condition I don't think they want to take this risk. How percent of vette owner are sensitive to this gain? 10%?
Vararam recently wrote in the forum that they replace for free to old customer to the newer version of the foam filter
The K&N is may be a safer alternative.
I live in colorado and use the car only for fun and most of the time on race tracks, I'm not sure I will have install it of I was leaving on the rainy state !!!!
Last edited by corvettefrance; Jul 30, 2004 at 12:13 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,885
Likes: 2
From: Corpus Christi TX
the vararam will provide performance. No question. I have verified timeslips/dynos to prove it.
But PLEASE, don't run that foam race filter for daily driving. It lets a tremedous amount of gook through. I ran that filter for 9 months, daily driving the car, and my polished shaner S2 t/b plate looked like the outside of my honda lawn mower. And I had everything installed correctly....absolutely no PCM codes or leaks. Car idled and performed perfectly.
I shutter to think of the debris I let through for that much time....run the k&n on the street.
But PLEASE, don't run that foam race filter for daily driving. It lets a tremedous amount of gook through. I ran that filter for 9 months, daily driving the car, and my polished shaner S2 t/b plate looked like the outside of my honda lawn mower. And I had everything installed correctly....absolutely no PCM codes or leaks. Car idled and performed perfectly.
I shutter to think of the debris I let through for that much time....run the k&n on the street.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=corvettefrance]
Why GM does not install it. Then I agree with Slwhite, some may have been lucky driving under heavy rain but if you cross a car that splash you while opening at full throttle you may damage the engine no question about it.
Why would you be at WOT in heavy rain and then a car splashes you.........Give me a break.
Why GM does not install it. Then I agree with Slwhite, some may have been lucky driving under heavy rain but if you cross a car that splash you while opening at full throttle you may damage the engine no question about it.
Why would you be at WOT in heavy rain and then a car splashes you.........Give me a break.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Denver co
Why would you be at WOT in heavy rain and then a car splashes you.........Give me a break. [/QUOTE]
How many C5 GM sold yearly? How many drive daily under rain?
you may obtain a big number.
Sorry but in my driver life it happened to me many times to be splashed under heavy rain by the car I was passing, due to the cause at the times you pass them they went into a hole.
And don't tell me when you pass a car on a two way road you not accelerating.
I won't say it happen every day but that definitely a reason why they should not do it,
I just install it today and it fit so well I cannot see any other reason why GM won't do it. If it is so much a gain with no hassle why the C6 should not have this feature.
[/QUOTE]How many C5 GM sold yearly? How many drive daily under rain?
you may obtain a big number.
Sorry but in my driver life it happened to me many times to be splashed under heavy rain by the car I was passing, due to the cause at the times you pass them they went into a hole.
And don't tell me when you pass a car on a two way road you not accelerating.
I won't say it happen every day but that definitely a reason why they should not do it,
I just install it today and it fit so well I cannot see any other reason why GM won't do it. If it is so much a gain with no hassle why the C6 should not have this feature.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
I finally uninstalled my Vararam and re-installed the 2002 Z06 stock airbox. My SOTP cannot tell any difference. I will readily admit that SOTP is not a reliable indicator. I would believe that an aftermarket air filter may add 10 HP, but if it does I cannot feel it. If this is what a 10 HP difference feels like, I will stick with the professional construction of the factory unit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by slwhite
I finally uninstalled my Vararam and re-installed the 2002 Z06 stock airbox. My SOTP cannot tell any difference. I will readily admit that SOTP is not a reliable indicator. I would believe that an aftermarket air filter may add 10 HP, but if it does I cannot feel it. If this is what a 10 HP difference feels like, I will stick with the professional construction of the factory unit.
VARARAM gave me 3/10's and 3 mph OVER the Blackwing. My car ran for 5 months with the Blackwing and was consistent as hell. The VARARAM was the only change I did and it runs just as consistent, only faster. But hey, to each his own.
Good luck with the stock box.