Vararam V6 intake installed!

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Angelsilhouette

Left a message with my friend / salesman up at my local dealership to see if I could get someone in the svc dept to get it installed for me. I was rather looking forward to putting it on, myself; but with all of the errors I've been seeing, here, I'd rather have Chevy have their hands in it. They've always done right by me, before, and treated both my car and me very well.

You really need to do this yourself. A dealership mechanic will have no advantage over you on something like this. In fact if you have been following along in this thread YOU will have the advantage.

Get to know your car first hand, especially on the things that doesn't take any kind of mechanical training. There is great satisifaction in doing the things you are able to.

[Angelsilhouette]

Originally Posted by derek19

Even if they install it, you still may experience some of the issues a few of us have had. depends on your car i guess.

That is true, especially since they won't be any more experienced with it than I would be... And possibly not have the same vested interest as I in the details.

It's starting to sound like a good challenge for me, now. I may stay on the list, after all.

[usa1camaro1969]

Originally Posted by 67 GTO

No regrets here, I don't mind a little tweaking on a new product. The experience and feedback of the early adopters can only make for a better intake going forward.

X2 and I also agree with what someone stated earlier about production tolerances. I believe that either my car or intake(or both) was so far to one side on the tolerance issue that when they met each other it just was one of those things that happen.
I was still better off with this intake than my other. Even after it had shifted.

BMORE- my problem with your suggestion on the don't overtighten the clamp is if it isn't extra-tight it runs the risk of shifting the intake tube during use. When I installed mine I put the red hose all the way until it butts the end on the intake, clamp all the way to the edge so it won't be near the lip where the TB and intake come into contact. I then put the TB clamp also to the edge of the rubber hose to again keep it away from the intake lip. The lip where the intake touches will transfer heat from the TB and may be more apt to changing shape with the heat and then adding the pressure of the clamp to it. The farther from the lip the more the heat will disperse. The more it disperses, the less likely the pressure of the clamp will change it's shape. I'll just keep and eye on it because I'm trying to clamp it GOOD, so to speak.

[Can't_C_Me]

Originally Posted by Angelsilhouette

That is true, especially since they won't be any more experienced with it than I would be... And possibly not have the same vested interest as I in the details.

It's starting to sound like a good challenge for me, now. I may stay on the list, after all.

Stay on the list man, trust me even if it's a lil pain to get on. You will not mind it once you drive with it on! Plus you won't get the support you can get here from us in no dealership. And our support and install help is free of charge. We have done the install already, dealer I'm sure 100% never has installed a VR on a V6. I don't know of no one but Vengeance installing these on V6's so far.

[CDCNY]

Originally Posted by 67 GTO

These guys will be waiting when you cross back.

What a pair of hosers. Take off, eh?

[sales@vararam.com]

We have identified the issue, and it has been corrected.

These units were from batch run #2, a short mid week run. ( featured a revised air box hole height cutting spec)
Only a handful were shipped. The rest are in our facility awaiting CNC cutting and final assembly.

These new units will be cut to the original specification.

VR Tech

[PittPaz]

Big thanks to Steve for allowing me to pick my order up at Carlisle. I'll be installing it tomorrow. I have to say, I don't have any concerns over the quality. I know it was mentioned earlier in reference to the V8 thread, but this thing looks great. Everything is solid and nothing about it feels cheap.

[E.T.]

Originally Posted by sales@vararam.com

We have identified the issue, and it has been corrected.

These units were from batch run #2, a short mid week run. ( featured a revised air box hole height cutting spec)
Only a handful were shipped. The rest are in our facility awaiting CNC cutting and final assembly.

These new units will be cut to the original specification.

VR Tech

That's good news

[chozn4service]

Took a road trip on Thursday to Cincy and got back on yesterday and the car ran stronger than ever before. I74 is a good stretch of road to let allow the car to open up and knowing I had made this trek three times before without the VR and this time with it, I could tell a noticeable difference in how the car passed traffic and those folks who like to run up on your bumper and stay there. Oh yea, Too Precious made them dots in the rear few mirror in seconds. Also my exhaust tone is serious now. I mean it sounds deep, mean and throaty. Really sounds great with the Flowmaster AT! I'm really happy with this mod and the car begs to be driven.

[PittPaz]

Installed mine this morning and here's my take:

There were some very minor fitment issues. First, the heat mat holes were spaced about 1" too far apart. It wasn't a big deal, as you can still fit the bracket nubs into the holes. Second, I was having trouble with getting the brackets to fit correctly, which seems to be a common issue with the V6 units.

Let me elaborate on the bracket issue. There are guide "pins" on the brackets. They fit into the core support below the bolts. There were no holes in the scoop to accommodate those "pins" (and I call them pins, but they're just plastic nubs on the brackets). To fix the issue, I cut them off of the brackets and removed the inner rubber grommet on the brackets. After doing this, I was able to mount them correctly as per the VR instructions. The bolt goes through the bracket, then through the scoop, then through the rubber spacer, then into the support.

Other than that, it was fine. There's a nice gap between the support and the scoop. There's a nice gap between the intake piece and the support as well. I can upload pictures later.

I haven't driven it yet. I started it and let it idle for a while. I'm going out later for a drive and I'll put some miles on it while the ECU relearns the fuel trims. By tomorrow, I'll have a good bit of miles on it and can get on it and give my impressions.

Also, I'm hoping the weather cooperates this week. If it does, I'll be heading to the track on Thursday night. I have some bone stock track runs from a few weeks ago and this is currently my only modification. That should give us an idea of what kind of real world performance you get out of this intake.

[sales@vararam.com]

Originally Posted by PittPaz

Installed mine this morning and here's my take:

There were some very minor fitment issues. First, the heat mat holes were spaced about 1" too far apart. It wasn't a big deal, as you can still fit the bracket nubs into the holes. Second, I was having trouble with getting the brackets to fit correctly, which seems to be a common issue with the V6 units.

Let me elaborate on the bracket issue. There are guide "pins" on the brackets. They fit into the core support below the bolts. There were no holes in the scoop to accommodate those "pins" (and I call them pins, but they're just plastic nubs on the brackets). To fix the issue, I cut them off of the brackets and removed the inner rubber grommet on the brackets. After doing this, I was able to mount them correctly as per the VR instructions. The bolt goes through the bracket, then through the scoop, then through the rubber spacer, then into the support.

Other than that, it was fine. There's a nice gap between the support and the scoop. There's a nice gap between the intake piece and the support as well. I can upload pictures later.

I haven't driven it yet. I started it and let it idle for a while. I'm going out later for a drive and I'll put some miles on it while the ECU relearns the fuel trims. By tomorrow, I'll have a good bit of miles on it and can get on it and give my impressions.

Also, I'm hoping the weather cooperates this week. If it does, I'll be heading to the track on Thursday night. I have some bone stock track runs from a few weeks ago and this is currently my only modification. That should give us an idea of what kind of real world performance you get out of this intake.

You were up early!!!! Glad you were able to get it installed OK! I will be very interested when you take it to the track and get to compare! Worked out well for both of us that you were able to have your friend pick it up here at the show!
Let us know how it performs and if you have any issues. We want you and all our customers happy!
Thanks
Steve

[PittPaz]

Originally Posted by sales@vararam.com

You were up early!!!! Glad you were able to get it installed OK! I will be very interested when you take it to the track and get to compare! Worked out well for both of us that you were able to have your friend pick it up here at the show!
Let us know how it performs and if you have any issues. We want you and all our customers happy!
Thanks
Steve

Haha yeah. Had to drive the fiance to work for the early shift. She's a nurse, so crazy shifts.

It did work out and I thank you for that! I was trying to get it in time for the track this week. I'll definitely have some numbers soon!

So far, everything's good. The installation was a breeze even with the minor adjustments. I'm looking forward to getting this thing on the track!

[PittPaz]

Here are the photos:

Installed with the engine cover on:


It almost looks stock with the engine cover on. I may remove it to try to prevent heat soak as VR states in the instructions. It'll definitely come off for the track.

Gap:


It's tough to see because of the lighting, but the gap is wider than the key fob. Plenty of room for air to flow in.

[sales@vararam.com]

Originally Posted by PittPaz

Here are the photos:

Installed with the engine cover on:


It almost looks stock with the engine cover on. I may remove it to try to prevent heat soak as VR states in the instructions. It'll definitely come off for the track.

Gap:


It's tough to see because of the lighting, but the gap is wider than the key fob. Plenty of room for air to flow in.

You do good work!!!!