CAI: K&N 63 Series vs. Vararam - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ryanb910 · 06-07-2013, 10:09 PM

Since I have now had both of these systems on my Camaro I wanted to give a little comparison for those who are looking for a cold air intake and do not know which type or brand to go with.

Price:I got my K&N not even a week after I drove my Camaro off the lot. I purchased it from AutoAnything for 15% off so I got it for around 220-235 dollars, though they retail for around 280. K&N is one of the cheaper CAI systems out of the more popular one but it still does the job and put a grin on my face after installing it.

The Vararam is a little more pricey on the other hand. Retail the Vararam is around 350 dollars, I got mine for 315 at AutoAgenda, amazing shipping speed it was at my door the day after I ordered it. The Vararam is on the higher side of the price range when it comes to CAIs.

Style:The styles between these two are obviously different. The K&N features the 90 degree turn from the throttle body which the filter is connected to.

The Vararam come straight of the throttle body. It's a very different design that I have not seen from any other brand.

Impression:
The K&N advertises to give you around 15 rwhp give or take. This was the first mod done to my vehicle so of course it felt like a great improvement over the stock intake on the Camaros. The intake gives the car a nice loud roar once you get to the mid and upper RPMS and even a little whistle somewhere in between that many of the members think is pretty cool. For those who are wondering if they want to hear their car whistle or not, its not that big of a deal and only happens when at a certain rpm, barely noticeable. This is a great first mod for your Camaro and especially if you are trying to stay under a budget. I would recommend it.

I just installed the Vararam today, I know that you gave the give the ECU some time to learn the new mod to get the full potential of the mod but right out of the box I felt a difference, even with my Ported Throttle Body and Black-Ice Olator installed. The Vararam advertises 35 rwhp and about the same in torque. I think once I have the computer learn this and really step on the pedal it will give me every bit of that but I'm suppose to take it easy on it now so I don't run rich. The Vararam decreases my dead spot to a point where its almost completely gone. I feel like I am gliding down the road when I drive and that I can feel the flow from the CAI. The car smoothly responds as soon as I push the pedal. Honestly I wish I would have done my research and went with Vararam all along, no offense to the K&N (It's great product), but the Vararam of course takes the cake.

Overall if you're on a budget and looking for a cheaper CAI go K&N, they are a big name in the auto business and it's a great product. The install is very simple and took only 15 minutes, it was also my first install.

If you have a little more money and want to the get absolute most out of your Camaro then I would take a look at the Vararam. It takes just as much work as any other CAI to install and I had no problems installing this system even though some have claimed to have installation problems. If you read the instructions and know what you're doing it should be a piece of cake.

PoorMansCamaro · 06-07-2013, 10:12 PM

Vararam estimates 35hp/35tq?

ryanb910 · 06-07-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Vararam estimates 35hp/35tq?

thats what it said on the instructions that came with it. I knew the numbers were better but thats coming straight from them.

ChadG · 06-07-2013, 11:09 PM

I think 35/35 is exaggerating but I really love my Vararam so far it's been my favorite mod. I just got an Black Iceolator and will install it soon, it supposedly helps the Vararam unit fit even better.

Toms2010 · 06-08-2013, 07:29 AM

I would think 15ish is more like it, but I have not dyno'ed mine so cannot say for sure. I just know the throttle response seemed better and the exhaust sounded better.

ryanb910 · 06-08-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toms2010

I would think 15ish is more like it, but I have not dyno'ed mine so cannot say for sure. I just know the throttle response seemed better and the exhaust sounded better.

How would you dyno a cold air intake?

Toms2010 · 06-08-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanb910

How would you dyno a cold air intake?

Meant dyno'ed the car before and after to see what the difference would be.

ryanb910 · 06-08-2013, 11:18 AM

I know what you mean but a CAI needs airflow to get the performance out of it which it won't be getting on a dyno since the car isn't moving.

SgtPickles69 · 06-08-2013, 11:25 AM

Good review

ryanb910 · 06-08-2013, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtPickles69

Good review

Thanks!

Toms2010 · 06-08-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanb910

I know what you mean but a CAI needs airflow to get the performance out of it which it won't be getting on a dyno since the car isn't moving.

Create the air flow for it. I think that is what was done by someone else using large industrial fans.

spyderbuddy · 06-08-2013, 03:15 PM

I've had the Vararam and ported throttle body since they came out, best mods I've done.

AutoAgenda · 06-09-2013, 12:40 AM

Appreciate the business and support! Glad you are happy with with the Vararam! The OTR "Over The Radiator" intakes are very efficient.

DarkneSS · 06-09-2013, 08:22 AM

Vararam is a beast intake. I trapped 96-97 mph and with the vararam ONLY I started trapping 100-101 consistently, huge improvement. It doesn't go much in 1st gear but when you get mid way through third you really feel that ram effect.

06-07-2013, 10:09 PM	#1
ryanb910 Drives: Black 2010 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 350	CAI: K&N 63 Series vs. Vararam Since I have now had both of these systems on my Camaro I wanted to give a little comparison for those who are looking for a cold air intake and do not know which type or brand to go with. Price:I got my K&N not even a week after I drove my Camaro off the lot. I purchased it from AutoAnything for 15% off so I got it for around 220-235 dollars, though they retail for around 280. K&N is one of the cheaper CAI systems out of the more popular one but it still does the job and put a grin on my face after installing it. The Vararam is a little more pricey on the other hand. Retail the Vararam is around 350 dollars, I got mine for 315 at AutoAgenda, amazing shipping speed it was at my door the day after I ordered it. The Vararam is on the higher side of the price range when it comes to CAIs. Style:The styles between these two are obviously different. The K&N features the 90 degree turn from the throttle body which the filter is connected to. The Vararam come straight of the throttle body. It's a very different design that I have not seen from any other brand. Impression: The K&N advertises to give you around 15 rwhp give or take. This was the first mod done to my vehicle so of course it felt like a great improvement over the stock intake on the Camaros. The intake gives the car a nice loud roar once you get to the mid and upper RPMS and even a little whistle somewhere in between that many of the members think is pretty cool. For those who are wondering if they want to hear their car whistle or not, its not that big of a deal and only happens when at a certain rpm, barely noticeable. This is a great first mod for your Camaro and especially if you are trying to stay under a budget. I would recommend it. I just installed the Vararam today, I know that you gave the give the ECU some time to learn the new mod to get the full potential of the mod but right out of the box I felt a difference, even with my Ported Throttle Body and Black-Ice Olator installed. The Vararam advertises 35 rwhp and about the same in torque. I think once I have the computer learn this and really step on the pedal it will give me every bit of that but I'm suppose to take it easy on it now so I don't run rich. The Vararam decreases my dead spot to a point where its almost completely gone. I feel like I am gliding down the road when I drive and that I can feel the flow from the CAI. The car smoothly responds as soon as I push the pedal. Honestly I wish I would have done my research and went with Vararam all along, no offense to the K&N (It's great product), but the Vararam of course takes the cake. Overall if you're on a budget and looking for a cheaper CAI go K&N, they are a big name in the auto business and it's a great product. The install is very simple and took only 15 minutes, it was also my first install. If you have a little more money and want to the get absolute most out of your Camaro then I would take a look at the Vararam. It takes just as much work as any other CAI to install and I had no problems installing this system even though some have claimed to have installation problems. If you read the instructions and know what you're doing it should be a piece of cake. __________________ Just a few mods...

06-07-2013, 10:12 PM	#2
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 56,957	Vararam estimates 35hp/35tq? __________________

06-08-2013, 07:29 AM	#5
Toms2010 Drives: 2010 2LT Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 215 View My Garage	I would think 15ish is more like it, but I have not dyno'ed mine so cannot say for sure. I just know the throttle response seemed better and the exhaust sounded better. __________________ 2010 2LT CGM Auto Vararam CAI - Modern Muscle Ported Throttle Body - Vmax Black Iceolator - Custom Exhaust - Magnaflow Res X 11386 - 2.5" Pipe from X on Back - Magnaflow Round Mufflers 10416 - Lime Green Hood Spears - Lime Green Gill Stripes - SJM AutoProd Sequential Turn Signals - SJM AutoProd Always On DRL Fog Lights

06-08-2013, 11:18 AM	#8
ryanb910 Drives: Black 2010 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 350	I know what you mean but a CAI needs airflow to get the performance out of it which it won't be getting on a dyno since the car isn't moving. __________________ Just a few mods...

06-08-2013, 11:25 AM	#9
SgtPickles69 Team LFX Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: TX Posts: 621	Good review __________________

06-07-2013, 11:09 PM	#4
ChadG Drives: 2010 Black Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,679 View My Garage	I think 35/35 is exaggerating but I really love my Vararam so far it's been my favorite mod. I just got an Black Iceolator and will install it soon, it supposedly helps the Vararam unit fit even better.

06-08-2013, 03:15 PM	#12
spyderbuddy Drives: 2010 RS Inferno Orange Metallic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Albany, Ga. Posts: 3,398 View My Garage	I've had the Vararam and ported throttle body since they came out, best mods I've done. __________________ PCP Hideaway Headlight Covers, BBK Headers & High Flow Cats, ZL1 Add-ons Wicker Bill, TL1/ZL1 Hood Insert, Gen5 DIY Frameless Mirror, ABL Dash Lighting an My link Navigation, Blacked out Rear Bowtie, all Sylvania led Turn Signals, Ceramic Window Tint By Nicks, MBRP Exhaust tips, GEN5 DIY Virginia Legal DRL Harness, Painted Brake Calipers, Vittesse Throttle Controller, Heritage Grill, Diode Dynamics Led Lighting, Manual Shifter Boot, Paddle Shifters, CNC Throttle Body, Trifecta Tune, RX Catch Can & Breather, Trunk Black out and Side Grills, Chevorlet door Sills.

06-09-2013, 12:40 AM	#13
AutoAgenda Drives: 69 Camaro, 02 Escalade, 67 Eleanor Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 5,140	Appreciate the business and support! Glad you are happy with with the Vararam! The OTR "Over The Radiator" intakes are very efficient.

06-09-2013, 08:22 AM	#14
DarkneSS Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Westchester, New York Posts: 3,715	Vararam is a beast intake. I trapped 96-97 mph and with the vararam ONLY I started trapping 100-101 consistently, huge improvement. It doesn't go much in 1st gear but when you get mid way through third you really feel that ram effect.