Vararam V6 intake installed!

[TJ91]

Looking at the first Post by Roln in the first page, it looks like the intial design would get a more ram air effect

[TJ91]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

May 27, 2011: Updated pictures in this post.

May 31, 2011: Video clip in this post.

June 10, 2011: Installation instructions posted in this post.

June 13, 2011: Installation videos posted in this post.


UPDATE - March 31, 2011: Dyno results are in. Start at page 15.


(Posting as new thread out of this one)

So, I spent about 4 hours over at Vararam today with Steve and Patrick. Thanks for the opportunity to help out here and get this intake into the hands of the V6 crowd.

First off, I've got to applaud Patrick. Dude knows his stuff!

A few different setups were tested out on my car to see if any changes would be needed from the design they've put together based on the auto V6 (which if I remember correctly, has about 28k test miles on it). Patrick was really trying to find that sweet spot where things ran just right, while looking to see if any improvements could be made for the manual V6. At the moment, I've got a unit on my car that he wants to make a few minor tweaks to, both in the design and fit. When I left he was already planning on getting started so we could get the updated unit installed ASAP.

My impressions of the one I've got at the moment...

Definite improvement in throttle response and performance, especially mid-upper RPM range. Can't wait to see what the next unit is like because Patrick said the unit on the car right now is leaving some gains on the table and he should be able to get those as well with the new unit. No check engine lights and engine runs as smooth as stock.

Dyno? Not today. My butt dyno says there are definite gains already and, after 26k+ miles with this car, I'd say my dyno's pretty well calibrated. We'll arrange an official dyno session once the updated unit is in.

Installation? Looks to be super easy. Almost took longer to get the stock unit out than it did to put the new one in.

Design? A bit different than the one used for the SS. As you'll see in the pics below, there are a few basic design elements that are used here. First the filter housing seals against the underside of the hood. Second, there is a lower piece that extends down between the radiator and core support to catch and force incoming air directly into the filter. I like that the filter element is actually exposed when you open the hood so you can easily check the condition of it.

Looking forward to the updated unit and getting some dyno results. One thing I did notice on my drive to the office this afternoon was that my pure freeway mpgs (60-70mph) were up around 32.5-33mpg. Typically for this 15 mile stretch of road at those speeds, I'd be looking at 28.5mpg or so. Definitely plus, especially in light of the performance gains.

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by TJ91

Looking at the first Post by Roln in the first page, it looks like the intial design would get a more ram air effect

The final design does as well. It also provides a larger area/volume of air for the intake to pull air from than the initial design did. Trust me, the final design underwent a lot of testing on the road. The design change was not made on a whim.

[TJ91]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

The final design does as well. It also provides a larger area/volume of air for the intake to pull air from than the initial design did. Trust me, the final design underwent a lot of testing on the road. The design change was not made on a whim.

Oh I believe you 100% , no manufacturer ever goes a step back in development process lol
I was just curious as to why the design changed and what benefits the new design has over the other. I remember vararam saying something about pulling a certain amount of timing in third gear.

Anyways im just too excited to be getting my intake tomorrow

[Toasty]

Originally Posted by Nova65SS

I am actually getting kinda pissed. The more I think about how much this little misadventure has cost me - the more it bugs me. I shouldnt have to be the one to EAT 340 bucks for an ill fitting- melting- deforming- prototype. I paid for the finished product- fully functional. I did not get that. Now I cant even unload this piece for a 115 dollar loss. NICE. AND MY BRACKETS ARE CUT (30 more dollars to set right). NOT COOL VR. Prototype. Lesson learned.

Perhaps you should have thought about that before buying it second hand...

[Toasty]

Originally Posted by Nova65SS

Yeah....not that the product has fitment issues. Just I bought it wrong. Perfect. Go out of your way to rub some salt in? Nice. Have a good laugh at my expense Its cool. Some people get off on others misfortune. I agree with you 100%. I shouldnt have bought it second hand- new in box expecting it to be functional. Ya got me there.

I'm not trying to be mean, but honest. Yeah it dos suck for you. Have you been in contact with Vararam to see if they will help you out?

[PoorMansCamaro]

Originally Posted by Nova65SS

Yeah....not that the product has fitment issues. Just I bought it wrong. Perfect. Go out of your way to rub some salt in? Nice. Have a good laugh at my expense Its cool. Some people get off on others misfortune. I agree with you 100%. I shouldnt have bought it second hand- new in box expecting it to be functional. Ya got me there.

i don't understand the problem. call them up. tell them you bought it second hand, but it's still brand new in the box. give them your address and i'm sure they'll ship a new one out to you once they get yours...

[Nova65SS]

I have already received a new lower and upper unit. They were identical to the one I initially recieved. I deleted alot of my posts explaining the fitment issues to unclutter the thread and provide helpful posts. On my particular vehicle - I dont know why I am the lucky one- The radiator is wedged against the plenum with enough force that is is wearing holes through the heatmat and into the plenum. I had to remove the initial unit after repeated loosening of the TB/intake horn fit (would be pushed upwards by the radiator tank). The horn deformed from the heat,pressure,and movement, into a misshapen taper. The solution was to be a shorter horn length overall. I reran through the install procedure with the new lower unit- same fitment problem. I noticed that others received a modified horn with an angled cut. Mine is not as apparent if there at all. That would leave me with a 1/2 upper horn lip to clamp to. I dont have faith this interface would maintain itself for long. I purchased this unit from a member here after he changed his mind and jumped off the list (they had already shipped it). I didnt anticipate these issues. So I have no receipt. I am going to PM the original buyer and ask if he might still have it. I have no problem with VR except for the fit. It is my own mistake to have not secured the necessary paperwork. My frustration from other things is probably bleeding over into these posts. My apologies. I will delete my posts. Good luck.

[E.T.]

Quick question: I don't need to use the old stock washers when attaching the radiator brackets with the supplied VR bolts? I don't see the washers in the install pics on here?

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by E.T.

Quick question: I don't need to use the old stock washers when attaching the radiator brackets with the supplied VR bolts? I don't see the washers in the install pics on here?

Good question. I didn't re-use the stock washers. Suppose it doesn't matter one way or the other.

[Nova65SS]

I found a couple in the junk bucket and threw em on to spread the load out on the rad brackets.

[E.T.]

Originally Posted by Nova65SS

I found a couple in the junk bucket and threw em on to spread the load out on the rad brackets.

Thanks.

One more:

How many of you kept those rubber grommets inside the radiator brackets? It seems like if I remove them all together and just keep the hard plastic bracket, it will fit. If I do a dry fit with the brackets with grommets in, I can't seem to get the tube flush with the throttle body. It's angled. It's almost like it's still a tad too long?

[67 GTO]

Originally Posted by E.T.

Thanks.

One more:

How many of you kept those rubber grommets inside the radiator brackets? It seems like if I remove them all together and just keep the hard plastic bracket, it will fit. If I do a dry fit with the brackets with grommets in, I can't seem to get the tube flush with the throttle body. It's angled. It's almost like it's still a tad too long?

I kept both grommets in and my VR horn/tube is flush with the TB. I found if the rad moves back a little it will raise the VR and cause the seperation at the bottom where the horn/tube mates up with the TB.

My rad is only tilted back 3/8" from stock, the width of the supplied rubber washer and the mounting material of the wing.

The bolt securing the bracket is tight but I didn't lean on it. I have no problems with movement of the rad or my intake. I've checked many times after some hard launches.

Hope all goes well with your install.

[E.T.]

Originally Posted by 67 GTO

I kept both grommets in and my VR horn/tube is flush with the TB. I found if the rad moves back a little it will raise the VR and cause the seperation at the bottom where the horn/tube mates up with the TB.

My rad is only tilted back 3/8" from stock, the width of the supplied rubber washer and the mounting material of the wing.

The bolt securing the bracket is tight but I didn't lean on it. I have no problems with movement of the rad or my intake. I've checked many times after some hard launches.

Hope all goes well with your install.

Thanks, I'll try it with the grommets in place.

Also, in the instructions, they say to tuck the heat mat in between the AC condensor and radiator. This appears to be diff from Roln's vid. Does this matter much?