CAI or Vararam? - Page 6 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Sterling · 08-06-2011, 12:02 AM

They are both good choices... I have the Vararam and I'm really glad I made that choice. I can definitely tell the difference... there's no question that there is an improvement when you put it on.

kmm1412 · 08-06-2011, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEN

I believe that the CAI w/ADM scoop showed 18.6 RWHP which is aprox 4.4 RWHP over the CAI alone.

Im going the CAI/ADM route and already have the scoop and a few other parts sitting here. The thing i didnt like about the Vararam is that i have read several posts regarding poor fitment,etc and i dont feel that the customer should have to make his/her own mounting brackets. Im sure its a good intake but i just chose the other option.

Installation tip for those installing the scoop. Use tin snips to cut plastic needed for scoop installation. MUCH cleaner cut and easier than using a Dremel or similar tool.

B-Rex · 08-06-2011, 12:19 AM

i chose the CAI because it is insulated/coated and not plastic. i just didnt want the plastic intake to heat up and sort of work against itself.

plus, in the long run, i think the ADM scoop and a t3 style bumber port would make for a ton of airflow.

Ronn · 08-06-2011, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEN

I believe that the CAI w/ADM scoop showed 18.6 RWHP which is aprox 4.4 RWHP over the CAI alone.

Im going the CAI/ADM route and already have the scoop and a few other parts sitting here. The thing i didnt like about the Vararam is that i have read several posts regarding poor fitment,etc and i dont feel that the customer should have to make his/her own mounting brackets. Im sure its a good intake but i just chose the other option.

Nothing wrong with 4whp. I wouldn't be able to cut that small piece of plastic though!

MaRoFreK · 08-06-2011, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronn

Nothing wrong with 4whp. I wouldn't be able to cut that small piece of plastic though!

Same here. Thats why I decided to go with the Vararam or New Era.

kmm1412 · 08-06-2011, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronn

Nothing wrong with 4whp. I wouldn't be able to cut that small piece of plastic though!

It took me all of about a minute to do. Some installlation threads show using a Dremel and that method is tedious and the result is messy. The tin snips are a breeze, and it couldn't be any cleaner. The piece of plastic you need to cut is about 2-1/2" by 6" and is in an area that is not noticeable. It was a heck of a lot easier, and less risky IMHO, than remounting and tilting a radiator. Many people are using other remounting methods for the radiator with the Vararam, because Vararam's solution did not make them feel comfortable, which is indicative of the thought that went into the engineering and build quality of the Vararam unit. Performance issues aside, that is the biggest reason I went with the CAI unit. It looks like it should be part of the car, and not some cheesy plastic bolt-on piece under the hood.

FEN · 08-06-2011, 09:58 AM

I think im going to borrow a "micro" dremel tool from work. Its about the size of a large magic marker and use it with a cutting disc.These things slice thru metal with ease so plastic should not be a problem.They leave a very clean cut.

kmm1412 · 08-06-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEN

I think im going to borrow a "micro" dremel tool from work. Its about the size of a large magic marker and use it with a cutting disc.These things slice thru metal with ease so plastic should not be a problem.They leave a very clean cut.

Didn't have access to one of those. Keep some tin snips by your side. Let me know how it works out.

ssmike · 08-06-2011, 12:08 PM

Just use a hack saw blade without the handle part, very easy to saw the plastic! Took me 5 minutes! Didn't need a dremel or tin snips just the hack saw blade!

kmm1412 · 08-06-2011, 09:38 PM

Anybody see this? Kinda backs up my points about build quality...

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163355

Sales @ CAI Inc · 08-08-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEN

I believe that the CAI w/ADM scoop showed 18.6 RWHP which is aprox 4.4 RWHP over the CAI alone.

Im going the CAI/ADM route and already have the scoop and a few other parts sitting here. The thing i didnt like about the Vararam is that i have read several posts regarding poor fitment,etc and i dont feel that the customer should have to make his/her own mounting brackets. Im sure its a good intake but i just chose the other option.

Thank you for choosing CAI Inc.!

chevyfan#1 · 08-09-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmm1412

I will PM you later with some tips & pics....

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEN

I believe that the CAI w/ADM scoop showed 18.6 RWHP which is aprox 4.4 RWHP over the CAI alone.

Im going the CAI/ADM route and already have the scoop and a few other parts sitting here. The thing i didnt like about the Vararam is that i have read several posts regarding poor fitment,etc and i dont feel that the customer should have to make his/her own mounting brackets. Im sure its a good intake but i just chose the other option.

Thanks for all your help, I hope to purchase mine before the end of the week!

View Poll Results: Which intake is best?
CAI inc w/ADM scoop	75	64.10%
Vararam	42	35.90%
Voters: 117. You may not vote on this poll

08-06-2011, 12:02 AM	#71
Sterling Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT/RS M6 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fairhaven, MA Posts: 5,885 View My Garage	They are both good choices... I have the Vararam and I'm really glad I made that choice. I can definitely tell the difference... there's no question that there is an improvement when you put it on. __________________ Trifecta tune, Vararam Intake, VMAX throttle body and manifold insulator, RxPerformance Catch Can, , MRT v1.0 and Louvers, Barton shifter, BMR strut tower brace, RED dome light and Plasma LED DRL's, fieldgoal00's Halo 1 harness, hood spears/side stripes, rain guards, custom bowtie, Team LLT badges, headlight and foglight covers, taillight and side marker covers, backup light covers, WeatherTech floormats

08-06-2011, 12:19 AM	#73
B-Rex Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 465 View My Garage	i chose the CAI because it is insulated/coated and not plastic. i just didnt want the plastic intake to heat up and sort of work against itself. plus, in the long run, i think the ADM scoop and a t3 style bumber port would make for a ton of airflow. __________________ B-Rex 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Hurst, LG, C.A.I., Flowmaster, Pfadt, Pedders, U.S. Gear/Axle Tech, LPW, SJM, Nitto, Nitrous Outlet, ZEX

08-06-2011, 09:58 AM	#77
FEN Drives: BLACK 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,092	I think im going to borrow a "micro" dremel tool from work. Its about the size of a large magic marker and use it with a cutting disc.These things slice thru metal with ease so plastic should not be a problem.They leave a very clean cut. __________________ CCW polished 505a's Front 20x10 w/275/40/20's Rear 20x11.5 w/305/35/20's Eibach 1" Pro Spring Kit Factory GFX MPD1 spoiler painted bowties 15% tint

08-06-2011, 09:38 PM	#80
kmm1412 The Bolt-On Beast Drives: 2011 2SS/RS IBM w/CGM Stripes Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Jamison, PA Posts: 965 View My Garage	Anybody see this? Kinda backs up my points about build quality... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163355 __________________ 2011 2SS/RS 6M Imperial Blue Metallic\|Cyber Gray Metallic Stripes\|Gray Interior\|Factory (KAE) Hurst Short Throw Shifter\|Sunroof MODS - 1LE Track Pack Suspension Upgrade\|Kooks Custom Stepped Headers & HFCs\|Cold Air Inductions Black CAI\|ADM Performance Scoop\|Vmax IBM CNC Ported Throttle Body\|Rx Extreme IBM Catch Can & Breather\|Borla S-Type Catback Exhaust w/Solo J-pipes\|IBM Heritage Grill\|LG ZL1 10 Spoke Replica Wheels w/Goodyear Supercar G2 Tires\|Z/TA Rear Spoiler\|463RWHP/459RWTQ Tune by Dale Cherry

08-06-2011, 12:08 PM	#79
ssmike BL1ZZRD Drives: '16 Camaro 2SS, '20 Equinox Redline Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 7,840	Just use a hack saw blade without the handle part, very easy to saw the plastic! Took me 5 minutes! Didn't need a dremel or tin snips just the hack saw blade!

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