New Era or Vararam?

[OC.LS3]

Some questions for OTR intake dudes:

-Which intake do you have?
-How long have you had your intake on?
-Have you encountered any radiator issues in HOT weather?
-Any problems driving in hard rain?
-Any issues with ease of install?

Have pretty much decided on OTR, just trying to choose between Vararam or New Era. Price difference not an issue, just proven reliability. I understand yall are going to endorse whichever system you have, just looking for objective observations. My short-term goals are OTR intake, TSP headers w/ hi-flow cats and 3" Magnaflow exhaust, LPE 3.91s. Long-term goals will include cam swap and trailing arms/rear bushings.

[blazzin1]

I have the New Era, been running it for over 2 years now, and love it!!! Not one single problem, looks great, polishes up nice. And the best part.....I didn't buy a big chunk of PLASTIC!!!

[IndeedSS1]

I've put a lot of miles on the Vararam as a year around daily driver, without any issues. I really like the look of the New Era, but all of that metal under the hood would worry me. The Vararam gets barely warm to the touch and appears to have a more straight shot into the intake. I would have liked to try the New Era, but I was afraid it wouldn't work as well without a tune.

[SSCamaro2010]

I have had the vararam intake for a year now. Love it. I have LG's Long Tube Headers Mufflers, G6x3 Cam. I havent had any issues at at. Intake worked well with my current set up. Was easy to tune as well.

[KEEP RT]

Had mine for over a year. No problems. and it rains like hell here!!!!

[newmoon]

No fears with the New Era intake getting hot, if anything it may get warm to the touch, no differant than anything else in the engine bay. I do agree though that a tune may be required to get this intake to perform to its potential.

[ssmike]

Vararam here, no problems, performs well and no tune required! I do like the looks of the New Era though!

[Nutro]

Isn't the New Era one around $500 though?

[blazzin1]

Originally Posted by Nutro

Isn't the New Era one around $500 though?

Yes, direct from New Era it is. I'm not sure if it is available through other vendors? I got lucky and bought mine on the classified forum here on Camaro5 used for I think it was around $275. They pop up every once in a while. Be patient and keep your eyes open.

[LouieTex]

After reading up on different type of intakes, I was going with vararam, but to tell you the truth didn't like the look and how the radiator was really supported. After seeing the New Era OTR, and doing some research I spoke to Mike, the owner and had a brief discussion on the intake and brought mine last week, believe it was Monday. They no longer have the raw aluminum so I asked him which one he would recommend and he sent me the flat black powder coat. I recieved mine Thursday and installe it within 20 minutes. The directions were great, had no problems with the installation. The only thing i did was when I removed the brackets from the radiator I used one of the rubber bushings, cut it in two and placed it the opening of New Era OTR openings which brace the radaitor in case of any movement. Man, listen, the car acts totally different now, didn't think something as simple as this would change the cars characteristics, but it did. I have the SS2 automatic, with ony the New Era OTR, no tune yet, and everything else factory, I get quicker throttle response,smoke my tires and have quicker accerleration in sports mode. Definitely am happy with it, I love the way it looks and, the way it sounds now !! I can only imagine what a beast I'll have once i add the AR long tubes, hi flow cat and Corsa cat back exhaust and tune. Wanna give Big Mike from New Era a big shout out, thank you for advice, great service and prompt delivery. In my opinion I would reccomend the New Era OTR. Also no idiot lights didn't light up on my dash, and my car doesn't hesitate, runs great. Hope this information helped out.

[toml_pa]

New Era OTR CAI is fantastic. If you haven't decided yet, read post #8 in this thread. Also lots of pictures.

[SGOS252382]

Vararam - Over 2 years of ownership

Drive my car in S. Florida blinding thunderstorms with no water issues.

Vararam is plastic and doesn't get hot.

[fldrummer]

Originally Posted by LouieTex

After reading up on different type of intakes, I was going with vararam, but to tell you the truth didn't like the look and how the radiator was really supported. After seeing the New Era OTR, and doing some research I spoke to Mike, the owner and had a brief discussion on the intake and brought mine last week, believe it was Monday. They no longer have the raw aluminum so I asked him which one he would recommend and he sent me the flat black powder coat. I recieved mine Thursday and installe it within 20 minutes. The directions were great, had no problems with the installation. The only thing i did was when I removed the brackets from the radiator I used one of the rubber bushings, cut it in two and placed it the opening of New Era OTR openings which brace the radaitor in case of any movement. Man, listen, the car acts totally different now, didn't think something as simple as this would change the cars characteristics, but it did. I have the SS2 automatic, with ony the New Era OTR, no tune yet, and everything else factory, I get quicker throttle response,smoke my tires and have quicker accerleration in sports mode. Definitely am happy with it, I love the way it looks and, the way it sounds now !! I can only imagine what a beast I'll have once i add the AR long tubes, hi flow cat and Corsa cat back exhaust and tune. Wanna give Big Mike from New Era a big shout out, thank you for advice, great service and prompt delivery. In my opinion I would reccomend the New Era OTR. Also no idiot lights didn't light up on my dash, and my car doesn't hesitate, runs great. Hope this information helped out.

Glad you're happy with yours. It is a great looking Intake. Unfortunately, My car never got along with it And had surging and bucking issues, even after several tuning adjustments and upgrading to a strong MAF. I wound up selling it and going to a CAI intake. 'Drives much better now, though I did lose 6 peak rwhp. :( 'Gonna get an ADM scoop eventually to try and get back some of the benefits my old NE intake had.

[LS2SLOW]

I'm not familar with the vararam but I had a new era on mine for while...Although it looked pretty cool under the hood I had problems with my car surging even with a dyno tune...I also wasnt very fond of the fact that you have to remove the 2 upper radiator mounts to install it leaving the bottom 2 mounts and 2 slots on the intake to support the radiator...It felt pretty flimpsy....(they may have improved the way it's mounted)...Some guys that have the new era haven't had any problems whatsoever and swear by it so don't let my opinion sway you one way or the other....bottom line is it's your car and your the one driving it...the final decision is yours...also if you do decide to go with new era make sure you check the upper radiator hose clearance after it's installed..(I believe it's mentioned in the instructions)...When the radiator is tilted back it also pushes the upper radiator hose closer to one of the pulleys on the motor..

[OC.LS3]

Thanks a lot guys, both seem to have pretty happy owners, but I think New Era is looking like my choice. Going to order it Monday

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by OC.LS3

Thanks a lot guys, both seem to have pretty happy owners, but I think New Era is looking like my choice. Going to order it Monday

Good luck, and let us know what you think.

[SteveRS]

Vararam... simple.. sucks air directly in... no engine bay air... cant beat a RAM AIR

[POWERFREAK]

Originally Posted by SteveRS

Vararam... simple.. sucks air directly in... no engine bay air.

Ahhhh, yeah....but so does the new-era intake.

[LouieTex]

Hey Guys, guess I spoke too soon, this Sunday went for a drive from the Bronx to the Palisades mall and back, and wouldn't ya know it, my check engine lite came on. I've reset it. I took a closer look at the filter and noticed it was ****eyed, so I took the intake off, reset the filter and made sure it was tight. Also as to the upper radiator hose, all I did was get a big tie strap and wrapped it closer to the fan shroud, so now theres plenty of clearance and no kink in the hose. Haven't driven the car again, so I'll let you guys now later on during the week. But from what I've been told if the light comes back on, once I get my car tuned it should resolve that problem. If anybody had a similar problem, please let me know how you fixed yours thank you

[thahemp]

It looks like this could probably be a crooked filter, but did you ever have your CEL come one again? I'm about to buy one of those.

[Ledzepx]

I have had the vararam for 2 months and no issues.

[OC.LS3]

Alright, as I said, I went with New Era. Got it yesterday and put it on. Install was mostly easy. Had to slide the silicone boot back to get it over the throttle body, and the radiator tilting back required a little more force than i expected, which i suppose is a good thing. It was mostly secure, but i didnt like the little jiggle it did have so you can see my solution in the photo on the mounting bracket. Rock solid now. Only other thing was the upper rad hose was pushed back too close to the power steering pulley, so as you can see, i zip tied it to a slot in the fan mount, haha. This is temporary of course, Ill just cut a couple inches off it and it will clear fine. Anyway, i drove it and definitely noticed a difference in power and sound. I love it. 3rd gear big improvement.

[LouieTex]

Hey Guys, sorry haven't been on lately, working alot of overtime to get my mods done...lol But to Tha Hemp no, the light has not come on again. I love the sound and am enjoying the way the car behaves now. Just recieved my JBA 1 7/8 Titanium Ceramic headers and catted mid pipes today (Which I brought on sale through Morano Racing for only $900) Not to change the thread, but would like to know if anyone in the NYC area knows of a shop where I can get my car tuned, aside from Vette Doctors and Corvettes of Westchester ? thanks guys and sorry for going of topic

[thahemp]

Originally Posted by LouieTex

Hey Guys, sorry haven't been on lately, working alot of overtime to get my mods done...lol But to Tha Hemp no, the light has not come on again. I love the sound and am enjoying the way the car behaves now. Just recieved my JBA 1 7/8 Titanium Ceramic headers and catted mid pipes today (Which I brought on sale through Morano Racing for only $900) Not to change the thread, but would like to know if anyone in the NYC area knows of a shop where I can get my car tuned, aside from Vette Doctors and Corvettes of Westchester ? thanks guys and sorry for going of topic

That's good to clear up. I ended up going with a fastlane carbon fiber. The performace is so similar for all the decent intakes, so i decided to buy based on looks as a second criteria.

I think jannetty is in CT, but i'm not from around there and have no idea what kind of a drive that is for you. I would guess by everything i've read about Ted on here, it would be worth the trip.

[OC.LS3]

Ok, I trimmed 3" off the upper radiator hose and now it fits like a dream. Note for those draining the radiator for the first time: the pit**** only turns a 1/4 turn easily, and then it feels like it's going to break. Just keep going smoothly being sure not to apply inward pressure. I used a 8" crescent wrench and eased it around until I got a steady flow. When finished, I took it for another ride down I-5 and am convinced the New Era is awesome. Now for the TSP headers this weekend.....