Trouble installing Vararam on 2011 SS - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jbrown13 · 01-12-2014, 10:35 AM

Anybody else had issues installing a Vararam Tune Model CAI on their 2011 SS? On my car the radiator mounting bracket posts are on about 18" centers, and once the Vararam housing is installed it is so wide (about 17" at that point) that I can't get the reversed brackets back on where they align with the captured nut the bracket bolts are supposed to screw in to. Rough measurements indicate they need to be 1-1/2" farther apart to line up, which is a whole bunch and not something that can easily be massaged.

I'm wondering if they sent me the wrong unit, although the box is marked correctly, or if our car's radiators vary that much?

Thanks,
Jeff

jbrown13 · 01-12-2014, 02:32 PM

53 views and nobody had this problem. I'm thinking I got a mislabeled piece from Vararam or I'm dumb as a stump.

rontammy0 · 01-12-2014, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrown13

53 views and nobody had this problem. I'm thinking I got a mislabeled piece from Vararam or I'm dumb as a stump.

Maybe go to their site and see if they posts install videos....maybe you do have the wrong part...check their site for the model you have and see if the pictures look like what you have.....should have gone with a k@n lol.....I'm sure your not dumb....or check out you tube as well.

rontammy0 · 01-12-2014, 02:45 PM

Not sure if this helps..you tube with a quick look at the install..about half way through the vid you see him putting a varna ram tune only cai intake in the car..it shows the part number as well..have a look
http://youtu.be/IQpfYqP0lHM

SSDan · 01-12-2014, 02:55 PM

I just run mine without the top brackets fastened. It wiggles just a little if you grab it and purposely try to rock it back and forth. But the radiator is not really going anywhere. At least mine has given me zero concerns in two years and 15000 miles.

Tampa Tuning · 01-12-2014, 03:00 PM

see if these pictures help

I put heat reduction tape on the rubber apron they give you for a radiator cover.

BlaqWhole · 01-12-2014, 04:44 PM

I had that problem with the tabs but I shaved them off and it fit fine. I will just buy new brackets if I ever take the Vararam intake off. Or you can leave the brackets off...like a lot of people have done. The radiator isn't gonna go anywhere because the intake will hold it in place. Either method you choose to solve it will be fine.

jbrown13 · 01-12-2014, 05:40 PM

Thanks everyone. I had already Dremeled those tabs off. The problem I think I had was that the unit wasn't oriented properly. All the pictures I see show the brackets tucked under the hump on the housing, and I couldn't get mine to do that. Going try that tomorrow when I get younger, healthier help.

jbrown13 · 01-13-2014, 02:41 PM

UPDATE: My reinforcement (47 years my junior) showed up today to install the Vararam. With his ingenuity and not repeating my missteps, he was able to get it installed in about 1 hour, brackets and all. So we wait to go to the drag strip and see if we improved the IATs over the CAI unit that was installed.

OK2DRUL · 01-13-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

UPDATE: My reinforcement (47 years my junior) showed up today to install the Vararam. With his ingenuity and not repeating my missteps, he was able to get it installed in about 1 hour, brackets and all. So we wait to go to the drag strip and see if we improved the IATs over the CAI unit that was installed.

What are your plans for the CAI unit that you took off?

Jason@Phastek · 01-13-2014, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrown13

UPDATE: My reinforcement (47 years my junior) showed up today to install the Vararam. With his ingenuity and not repeating my missteps, he was able to get it installed in about 1 hour, brackets and all. So we wait to go to the drag strip and see if we improved the IATs over the CAI unit that was installed.

Interested in the IAT Numbers. Please let us know what you get.

jbrown13 · 01-13-2014, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OK2DRUL

What are your plans for the CAI unit that you took off?

Once I test the Vararam and am convinced that it is what I want to run, I'll sell the CAI, scoop and washer bottle relocate kit.

jbrown13 · 01-13-2014, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason@Phastek Performance

Interested in the IAT Numbers. Please let us know what you get.

I will, but it might be a few weeks. My back went out fooling with the Vararam and I can't even get in and out of the Camaro at the moment.

OK2DRUL · 01-13-2014, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Once I test the Vararam and am convinced that it is what I want to run, I'll sell the CAI, scoop and washer bottle relocate kit.

Let me know when you're ready to sell. I'm located in Atlanta, but my parents live in Byron. I could meet you to pick it up if the price is reasonable.

01-12-2014, 10:35 AM	#1
jbrown13 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Perry, GA Posts: 553	Trouble installing Vararam on 2011 SS Anybody else had issues installing a Vararam Tune Model CAI on their 2011 SS? On my car the radiator mounting bracket posts are on about 18" centers, and once the Vararam housing is installed it is so wide (about 17" at that point) that I can't get the reversed brackets back on where they align with the captured nut the bracket bolts are supposed to screw in to. Rough measurements indicate they need to be 1-1/2" farther apart to line up, which is a whole bunch and not something that can easily be massaged. I'm wondering if they sent me the wrong unit, although the box is marked correctly, or if our car's radiators vary that much? Thanks, Jeff

01-12-2014, 02:55 PM	#5
SSDan Drives: 2016 1SS 6MT NPP Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake Murray, SC Posts: 2,245 View My Garage	I just run mine without the top brackets fastened. It wiggles just a little if you grab it and purposely try to rock it back and forth. But the radiator is not really going anywhere. At least mine has given me zero concerns in two years and 15000 miles. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS Hyper Blue 6MT NPP 2010 Camaro 2SS Cam/Headers/CAI/3.91 gears 476 rwhp/440 rwtq (sold)

01-12-2014, 02:32 PM	#2
jbrown13 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Perry, GA Posts: 553	53 views and nobody had this problem. I'm thinking I got a mislabeled piece from Vararam or I'm dumb as a stump.

01-12-2014, 02:45 PM	#4
rontammy0 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS/ RS INFERNO ORANGE L99 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alliston Ontario Canada Posts: 9,057 View My Garage	Not sure if this helps..you tube with a quick look at the install..about half way through the vid you see him putting a varna ram tune only cai intake in the car..it shows the part number as well..have a look http://youtu.be/IQpfYqP0lHM

01-12-2014, 03:00 PM	#6
Tampa Tuning Account Suspended Drives: TAMPA TUNING FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 3,044	see if these pictures help I put heat reduction tape on the rubber apron they give you for a radiator cover.

01-12-2014, 04:44 PM	#7
BlaqWhole Account Suspended Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 7,692	I had that problem with the tabs but I shaved them off and it fit fine. I will just buy new brackets if I ever take the Vararam intake off. Or you can leave the brackets off...like a lot of people have done. The radiator isn't gonna go anywhere because the intake will hold it in place. Either method you choose to solve it will be fine.

01-12-2014, 05:40 PM	#8
jbrown13 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Perry, GA Posts: 553	Thanks everyone. I had already Dremeled those tabs off. The problem I think I had was that the unit wasn't oriented properly. All the pictures I see show the brackets tucked under the hump on the housing, and I couldn't get mine to do that. Going try that tomorrow when I get younger, healthier help.

01-13-2014, 02:41 PM	#9
jbrown13 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Perry, GA Posts: 553	UPDATE: My reinforcement (47 years my junior) showed up today to install the Vararam. With his ingenuity and not repeating my missteps, he was able to get it installed in about 1 hour, brackets and all. So we wait to go to the drag strip and see if we improved the IATs over the CAI unit that was installed.