Vararam Quality

[Tampa Tuning]

Ive had a vararam on my corvette for ten year. Its the best working model of a true cold air system. I think it performs the best out of all the cold airs

With that being say, quality has NOT improved on the product since being released in the late 90s. Their second release of the same produce is usually better, but it should be right the first time

[Hicompression]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

But in my opinion the customer shouldn't have to deal directly with the manufacturer. I've worked in a few retail auto parts (dealerships and chain parts stores) and thats not how things are handled. I have never sold a defective part and have the customer come back in and tell him that he would have to contact the company who made the part.

I hear what you're saying and I agree with you. Whenever I've bought any defective parts from Jegs or Summit or any of a number of other companies, I've been able to send the part back to them (the distributor) with no questions asked. As distributors for the manufacturer, they are responsible for dealing directly with the manufacturer regarding defective parts...not me.

In the case of the OP, MS and Vararam, it was handled differently. It's just not the usual status quo I've come to expect when dealing with defective auto parts.

[cmacclel]

Originally Posted by boat rx

Sounds to me that you will not be happy with anything.Since you have stated NUMEROUS times that you are a machinist and robotic engineer.then you deffinately should be able to build a far better product. Just my take on this issue.

I said that once in post 61.

nu·mer·ous/ˈn(y)o͞om(ə)rəs/Adjective

1. Great in number; many.



I have found out that my time is worth more than building "my own" alot of things. It's just cheaper in the long run to purchase a proven product like the Vararam or CAI intake.

Mac

[cmacclel]

Originally Posted by IMJ

Well said, man. I absolutely will not order from Maryland Speed at all going forward because of what I've read in this thread.

End users don't care about the technicality of warranty - especially when it puts you out and you spent the money. The shop you ordered from should take care of it for you, and then they should also rain hell down on Vararam for poor production.

I couldn't help reading this thread without shaking my head with a scoff while thinking "Speed shop guys". ugh.

As for my intake? I sure as heck hope that QC was done on my unit before I receive it in the next couple of weeks.

I agree with your logic and I do believe thats how a situation like this should be handled but apparently Vararam has asked the venders to have customers go through them for warrantly claims.

I will say MarylandSpeed went ahead and issued me a call tag to return the intake right away and they shipped the same day the order was placed. I would have no problem recommending them to anyone.

Mac

[cmacclel]

Originally Posted by el ess X

To me it sounds like the OP just wanted an induction system, didn't matter the brand, VR or CAI. Then didn't like having to follow the rules for returns.

Did you read the thread?

Things definetly ended up better than expected but initially it appeared I was going to have to wait a week before the MFG even was available to start the return process as they where away. I shopped around to find "A" intake on the east coast as I needed / wanted it ASAP for a track day the was scheduled for last Friday.

So you would be OK with receiving a product like I received regardless of vendor and then having the retailer you purchased it from tell you to deal with the MFG for the return and oh BTW there gone for a week? Then I was assuming nothing would even be done until they received the intake back.......what 4 days UPS transit time......then they have to receive it in....sit on the dock for 3 days...have someone look at it....3 days later.....then make a decision. To me it looked like a month before the matter was resolved.

I'm definetly happy as MarylandSpeed stepped up and said they would ship me another intake once I shipped back the defective one. Typically this is not how it happens in my experience.

Mac

[Camarowguy]

Originally Posted by cmacclel

I agree with your logic and I do believe thats how a situation like this should be handled but apparently Vararam has asked the venders to have customers go through them for warrantly claims.

I will say MarylandSpeed went ahead and issued me a call tag to return the intake right away and they shipped the same day the order was placed. I would have no problem recommending them to anyone.

Mac

I'm glad they took care of you bro! That's good customer service!

[boat rx]

Originally Posted by cmacclel

I said that once in post 61.

nu·mer·ous/ˈn(y)o͞om(ə)rəs/Adjective

1. Great in number; many.



I have found out that my time is worth more than building "my own" alot of things. It's just cheaper in the long run to purchase a proven product like the Vararam or CAI intake.

Mac

Wow,you can use a dictionary and pat yourself on the back.You are multi talanted also.I was not originally trying to get into a battle with you,I just thought with your skills you would be able to make something that was as good as it could be.My vararam was not perfect either,but I just fixed it and did not talk poorley about any body.Good luck with your mods and hope all goes well.

[cmacclel]

Originally Posted by boat rx

Wow,you can use a dictionary and pat yourself on the back.You are multi talanted also.I was not originally trying to get into a battle with you,I just thought with your skills you would be able to make something that was as good as it could be.My vararam was not perfect either,but I just fixed it and did not talk poorley about any body.Good luck with your mods and hope all goes well.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your comment. I guess I was being defensive but yet again your comment about talking poorly when receiving a poor quality product bothers me. If you receive products that you have to fix then don't say anything about it you will never get anything better :(

Mac

[JSC81]

For 400 you would expect a better finish. I like HP and it does that well but I would not put something that looked like it came Kmart on my car.

Not to bash on Maryland speed. If you sell a part that has a manufacturers warranty it's your responsibility to honor it not the consumer. Reminds me when I bougt some tires that I wanted to return and the tire shop refused to take them back although they were under warranty. I had to call the tire manufacturer and have them call the tire shop and explain to them that if they want to sell their brand. THEY will honor their warranty and return the tires to them at no cost.

If you sell it you honor it.

[sales@vararam.com]

We always ask all customers to contact us direct with any concerns as we are able to help them quicker then if they go through the dealer first. We can solve the issue-replace the unit -issue credit or issue a call tag faster than if you go to the dealer.
We are readily available via email-phone -PM on forums-etc. Our tech line number is included with all our instructions and states to call ASAP with any questions. MarylandSpeed is an excellent dealer and goes above and beyond in customer service. They actually helped us late the other night by issuing the call tag since I was away from the shipping computer.
Our production people have already been "chastised" and "educated" as to the issues from this thread by their supervisor. I will be back in Houston Tuesday and further sit down with the shop guys and go over better quality control.

Please just contact us ASAP so we can help!!!
Thanks
Steve
Vararam

[Camarowguy]

I'm debating if I want another one. I had to clean mine up but where the two halves cone together is sloppy and doesn't seal well. IMO it should fit tight in that area and not move around. There was a member that posted not long ago that he had "dust in the intake after the filter because if this. Let me tell you, I don't want my brand new engine ingesting dirt/dust. I was just contemplating in sucking it up and fixing it myself because:
1) it's gonna be a pita to remove the intake, put the stocker back on until I get a replacement
2) I have a tune only intake, so I'll have to go to my tuner and get him to remove the tune in the mean time...which is also a pita

Any ideas Vararam?

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

I'm debating if I want another one. I had to clean mine up but where the two halves cone together is sloppy and doesn't seal well. IMO it should fit tight in that area and not move around. There was a member that posted not long ago that he had "dust in the intake after the filter because if this. Let me tell you, I don't want my brand new engine ingesting dirt/dust. I was just contemplating in sucking it up and fixing it myself because:
1) it's gonna be a pita to remove the intake, put the stocker back on until I get a replacement
2) I have a tune only intake, so I'll have to go to my tuner and get him to remove the tune in the mean time...which is also a pita

Any ideas Vararam?

The new Vararam intake is supposed to move/pivot.

Your intake had dust etc past the air filter? I recently removed my Vararam intake from my car that I ran for over 1 year and it didn't have any dust etc.

Also, you can drive your car with the stock intake and your tune. It will be fine.

I have a tune only Vararam and a full exhaust with long tubes. When I put my car in the dealership I take the Vararam intake off. My car drives fine with the stock intake (just noticeably slower).

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

I'm debating if I want another one. I had to clean mine up but where the two halves cone together is sloppy and doesn't seal well. IMO it should fit tight in that area and not move around. There was a member that posted not long ago that he had "dust in the intake after the filter because if this. Let me tell you, I don't want my brand new engine ingesting dirt/dust. I was just contemplating in sucking it up and fixing it myself because:
1) it's gonna be a pita to remove the intake, put the stocker back on until I get a replacement
2) I have a tune only intake, so I'll have to go to my tuner and get him to remove the tune in the mean time...which is also a pita

Any ideas Vararam?

I was the one and the only one to find this. I even PM'd as many as I could to get a consensous if this was common. No one saw this issue. I am now running another VR and have found no issues with any dust getting in behind the filter. If I were to see that on this intake I know exactly how to remedy it. I also drive my car year round in awful condidtions and will find issues quickly

. As far as the gap between the two halves, it's needed for engine movement. The place you do NOT want to see a gap is between the backside of the filter and the gasket.

VR is completely aware of the more recent quality and consistancy issues, and I suspect within the next few days, there may be an inhouse meeting. If I were the owner, I know there would be

[cmacclel]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

The place you do NOT want to see a gap is between the backside of the filter and the gasket.

I took a good look at this area on the Vararam that I had and noticed the foam on the edges had an impression of the filter and the middle did not. If I was to keep the Vararam I definetly would have added another piece of 1/4" foam tape to the existing foam tape so that I was gauranteed a tight seal. You can easily get your hand up through the intake to push on the filter to get the bolts started. As it is there really is no compression on the filter sealing surface.......at least that was the way it was on the copy I received.

Mac