Vararam Dyno on LS3 - coming soon

[sschevybear11]

[Viral]

Oops! I totally forgot to update this. Basically no change from my tune so it wasn't worth posting, but I did mean to update this thread with that info. It basically lost about 2 hp through some of the band, but was 9 degrees hotter so the dyno owner said he'd call that no change.

I'm talking to jannetty now to see if he can do any better using my predator.

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Viral

Oops! I totally forgot to update this. Basically no change from my tune so it wasn't worth posting, but I did mean to update this thread with that info. It basically lost about 2 hp through some of the band, but was 9 degrees hotter so the dyno owner said he'd call that no change.

I'm talking to jannetty now to see if he can do any better using my predator.

Sorry to hear that it didn't do better. I sort of want to dyno mine again, but don't want to spend money to be disappointed. I'm perfectly happy with my daily driving and don't want to spoil it by thinking I could do better

[ssmike]

I don't know what it is with the Vararam that these dyno results turn out so poor! Everyone raves about the throttle response, crisp acceleration, and overall good performance but they just don't do well on the dyno! I have first hand experience now with the VR and I have to say I'm sold on the crisp throttle response! I just don't think that dyno'ing the VR is the proper way to evaluate it. The proof really lies in the 1/4 mile, 0-60, ad 60' times that the VR seems to excell in.

I have been evaluating a VR for the past week but I don't race so I don't have hard figures and scientific proof of performance. I installed it just to see if there is any difference between it and the CAI I just installed. I can say this, the VR has a much better street feel and is more fun to drive around. The low end response is, and I keep saying this, CRISP and clean, especially in the low to mid rpm range. The CAI seems to lag a little until it hits 3500 rpm then takes off like a rocket! The only factor that has me worried a little is that I'm running the VR on a JRE 415 tune which is calibrated for the CAI. I really don't know if I'm running too lean with the VR, although the ltft's are within range.

Everyone seems to be hell bent on dyno results showing huge gains and such but for me it's all about driveability, throttle response, and smooth linear acceleration! The VR seems to deliver on all counts. The only driveability issue I have right now is slight surging at low cruising speeds but I also get that with the CAI! I'm going to change the plugs, wires, and MAF as suggested by a couple pro LS3 guys.

I know a couple of you guys had a VR, switched it out for another brand due to poor dyno results, then switched back to the VR! There's just something about it that we are all having a hard time putting our finger on!

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by ssmike

I don't know what it is with the Vararam that these dyno results turn out so poor! Everyone raves about the throttle response, crisp acceleration, and overall good performance but they just don't do well on the dyno! I have first hand experience now with the VR and I have to say I'm sold on the crisp throttle response! I just don't think that dyno'ing the VR is the proper way to evaluate it. The proof really lies in the 1/4 mile, 0-60, ad 60' times that the VR seems to excell in.

I have been evaluating a VR for the past week but I don't race so I don't have hard figures and scientific proof of performance. I installed it just to see if there is any difference between it and the CAI I just installed. I can say this, the VR has a much better street feel and is more fun to drive around. The low end response is, and I keep saying this, CRISP and clean, especially in the low to mid rpm range. The CAI seems to lag a little until it hits 3500 rpm then takes off like a rocket! The only factor that has me worried a little is that I'm running the VR on a JRE 415 tune which is calibrated for the CAI. I really don't know if I'm running too lean with the VR, although the ltft's are within range.

Everyone seems to be hell bent on dyno results showing huge gains and such but for me it's all about driveability, throttle response, and smooth linear acceleration! The VR seems to deliver on all counts. The only driveability issue I have right now is slight surging at low cruising speeds but I also get that with the CAI! I'm going to change the plugs, wires, and MAF as suggested by a couple pro LS3 guys.

I know a couple of you guys had a VR, switched it out for another brand due to poor dyno results, then switched back to the VR! There's just something about it that we are all having a hard time putting our finger on!

Well put, Mike.

[newmoon]

Just curious as to what dyno numbers you are getting with the Vararam? I have a very similar setup except with a New Era OTR, stock tune and saw 383hp, and 387tq, on a very warm day. The test was done on a dyno day and most said this particular dyno reads a bit low. I would think you should be getting the same results or slightly better if temps were better.

[Viral]

newmoon - my dyno sheet is on page 4 of this thread if you want more details, but I dynoed at 380HP / 382Tq right after installing the VR and VMAX, a 10HP and 15Tq gain at the top end and a bit more under some parts of the curve. You can't really compare your numbers and mine on different dynos in different states on different days, though.

As others have stated, however, the VR doesn't seem to produce dyno numbers anywhere equal to its performance. I can only assume this is because the "ram air" effect simply doesn't happen with a fan in front of a stationary car.

You can also look back in this thread and find my data logs for both stock intake and VR. It clearly shows the VR is flowing around 15% more air at WOT near redline at similar speeds. Generally, more air = more power.

If you haven't already, take a look at the Vararam test GM High Tech magazine did on the corvette here - http://www.vararam.com/gmhightech.html

They did before and after dynos and quarter mile runs. It showed basically no change on the dyno, had basically identical 60ft times (showing similar launches, no hero runs), but was 2 tenths and 3MPH faster. The general rule of thumb is, with no other changes, it takes an additional 10HP for each 1 MPH gain in the quarter mile, which means, despite not showing up on the dyno, the VR had to be producing somewhere around a 30HP increase. IMO, faster quarter mile times (practical use) trumps dyno charts (theoretical use) any day.

[newmoon]

Maybe being OTR intakes your big gains will come into play when the car is actually running at speed and a slight ram air effect is taking place. Your numbers looked good, the way I read the last few posts I was expecting lower numbers. I think a set of LTs will wake up these OTRs and that will be my next mod. Best of luck in your tuning efforts though.

[axis]

Ok, here's just one of the problems I have with VR the company. If absolutely no one is getting anywhere near advertised dyno gains, how did VR get theirs? They plainly state that they have dyno proof of 20+whp gains, yet no one seems to get more than half that. I can somewhat understand how the VR may flow better at higher speeds but 0-60 isn't that high. Many dyno's can simulate airflow at those speeds. Also, it's been shown over and over that true RAM air isn't possible at speeds that a typical Camaro hits in the 1/4 mile. That being said, air availability is the key and most decent dyno shops have fans that can provide plenty of moving air for pretty much any car.

[ssmike]

Yea, like we've said, it's a mistery how these VR OTR's perform so well but fail on the dyno! I strongly believe that Vararam is guilty of being a little misleading with it's name, "Ram Tuned Induction System". I believe that "Ram Air" is an affect not realized till you get to very high speeds unattainable by these Camaros! It would more acuaratly be call "Fresh Air Tuned Induction System", there is truly NO ram air affect what so ever!

What makes the VR work is it's straight flow from front to back, it's tuned box, and fresh air from in front of the radiator, PERIOD! I have NO faith whatsoever in ANY manufacturers claims of horsepower! When doing dyno runs there's too many variables and it's virtually impossible to duplicate air flow into and over the engine compartment like it is in actual motion going down the road.

All I know is during my short week of testing the VR I can FEEL the difference as soon as I hit the accelerator! No hesitation, lag, soft feel, just GO power! Smooth and strong! I was a sceptic and that's why I bought a CAI intake but now I'm thinking it may have been a mistake! I could care less about dyno results, give me a responsive, crisp accelerating system that's proven on the strip and I'm sold!

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by ssmike

I could care less about dyno results, give me a responsive, crisp accelerating system that's proven on the strip and I'm sold!

And THAT is what separates Vararam from the others. It's there, it's real and plenty of people have had both and have said the same thing. It just performs.

[IndeedSS1]

I've said before, I think VR is missing out by not having a loaner or rental program. With their money back guarantee, I guess it's not needed. You really have to try one to appreciate it.