Vararam Quality

[canadian ss]

To cool the radiator you put the rad where? Thats right, in front of the car where the outside air can COOL the rad down. Wow, just imagine what would happen if you put an air intake system there? Maybe, just maybe it would allow cool air to charge your cylinders possibly increasing performance? Maybe someone should invent such a logical thing? I've never seen a radiator or condensor being cooled by a small round piece of plastic trying to get cool air from under a car and have it bend a few times before it gave any benefits?
Im amazed at how many people flow their heads to get optimal air flow thru them then put a 90 degree bend in the CAI? YOU'VE JUST DEFEATED THE PURPOSE!!!!!!! And yes, I do have a vararam intake that came to my door flawless. Hey, sometimes you can get a bad shirt with a hole in the armpit from the store too. Just return it for another!!!!!

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by cmacclel

MarylandSpeed has them in stock........

I'll be going with Vararam and Maryland Speed.

[brantley847]

There is a reason CAI jumps off the shelves.....

I believe VR posts great numbers.. no doubt they are both tops among the market. I just love the look of the Ceramic CAI.

[InfernoCamaroSS]

I got a quick question how does the vararam sound at idle and when u rev the motor.

[canadian ss]

Idle sounds the same. Rev from idle, you might have to be infront of the car to hear something maybe. Noticeable more in the 4-7000 rpm range thou!

[14pilot]

C.A.I. = Best "bling" looks with excellent performance

Vararam = Best "hard core track like" looks with excellent performance

I don't think you can go wrong with either product, AS LONG AS THEY SHIP YOU A PROPERLY BUILT AND Q.C.'ed SYSTEM.

Best of luck !!!

[YouseeSS]

Originally Posted by Viral

Like pretty much everyone else who has owned a Vararam (including several who have ALSO owned a CAI Inc, Halltech or other top performing brand as well), it simply comes down to performance.

You're right, the quality control on your unit is worse than normal, but even the best VR units do have some of these burrs and fitment issues. It will never be as gorgeous as an ADM or CAI unit. If great looks while your hood is open are your top priority, I would suggest you'll never be happy with a Vararam intake. However, if performance is your top priority, increasing your power at speed and decreasing your quarter mile times - those other pretty CAIs simply can't compare. I've seen those gorgeous CAI Incs on other cars and I wouldn't trade my Vararam for it if it was given to me for free.

Only you can decide which is most important for your car.

Triple

[cmacclel]

Well I do want performance so I spent about an hour making the Vararam as it should have been received. One thing I didn't know was the MAF sensor would not even fit into the hole so that had to be trimmed, not to mention the big blob of glue that was on one of the edges if not fixed would have surely caused a leak.

The we come down to fit........The unit I have did not fit worth shit. The rubber that was supposed to secure the radiator barely touched the radiator and all of the downward pressure was on the edge of the aluminum condensor...........very poor in my opinion. I spent an hour trying to position the Vararam with no luck. Also the unit is slightly too wide as with one of the long screws in place the other side no matter what I did was cocked and would not screw in straight. At this point I gave up and everything went back into the box.

I recived a PM from Vararam and tried calling them a few times this afternoon and left a message but they never got back to me.

I guess I'll have to settle for the CAI. :(

More pictures.....




Almost all of the downward pressure was on the edge of the AC condensor




Right side = Straight bolt



Left side = Cocked

[mikeSS]

so u are returning it?

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

I did not use the long bolts. I used L brackets. Firm hold, looks much cleaner IMO.

[cmacclel]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

I did not use the long bolts. I used L brackets. Firm hold, looks much cleaner IMO.

In order for me to even start the bolts as it was I had to almost push down with all my weight to even see the thread hole in the firewall. There is not way I could have fit "L" brackets as you did.

Originally Posted by mikeSS

so u are returning it?

Yes


Mac

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

I'm sorry you had these problems. I hope you will allow them to replace your unit, but if you don't I can't blame you. Good luck with whatever direction you end up.

[MarylandSpeed]

The best bet for this one is to wait till Steve gets back from GM Nationals early next week, and he will either replace it with a better inspected unit, or refund it under their satisfaction promise. Once it has been installed it does become an issue that Vararam handles. This has been something I have brought up to them a lot over the years. Every car we sell a Vararam for, it is the best performing intake out there, but the quality is never also top level. I would say we get one return a month of all the cars we sell parts for where someone simply gets it and says "I am not putting that on my car". if you end up returning it to them, we can just use the credit to get you a CAI.

I have the Vararam on my car, and it performs great (see the thread). I do not recall any of the issues posted here..except the barb..which I also do not like.

[LC]

You are not alone...









Sent a mail to vararam about it.. never heard back...