Vararam V6 intake installed!

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

very interesting. So what you are saying is, the Jannetty cold air intake tests are pretty much void now? Because if i remember correctly, they just put an intake on, did a dyno run or two, and then just switched out intakes...

I'm not saying the JRE testing is invalid. I didn't watch the JRE testing video feed while it was done but the post said they did drive between each intake.

Clearing of the fuel trims was performed before every Air Intake testing, this included the Stock Air Box.

A long Drive Cycle was done with varying loads and speeds until fuel trims settled in.

5-6 Runs were made with each system

[PoorMansCamaro]

ah, ok.

[KMPrenger]

That number is friggin amazing....almost unbelievable. It makes me foam at the mouth for one of these...I want to sell my current CAI right now lol.

BUT....I'm wondering if I shouldn't wait for a month or two after initial release. That might be the better idea....but by that time I don't know who would want to buy my CAI anymore lol. Everybody else will have already sold theirs to people looking!

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

That number is friggin amazing....almost unbelievable. It makes me foam at the mouth for one of these...I want to sell my current CAI right now lol.

BUT....I'm wondering if I shouldn't wait for a month or two after initial release. That might be the better idea....but by that time I don't know who would want to buy my CAI anymore lol. Everybody else will have already sold theirs to people looking!

Well, there's always ebay or Craigslist for those people that don't know about Vararam. Sadly, not every 5th gen owner is on C5.

[E.T.]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

From working with Vararam, I've learned quite a bit about the V6 engine and Bosch E38 computer. For people that say this computer doesn't learn or doesn't need learn time between changes, they are wrong. I've had numerous prototype designs on my car and can tell you that a single 1mm change in one part is noticed by the computer and affects performance. Simple things, such as the position of the mass air flow sensor, both in it's clock position on the tube (9 o'clock at the moment) and the depth it is set at within the tube can dramatically alter timing, fuel trims, and MAF scaling.

This is just the skeptic in me coming out, but 1mm is pretty insignificant. What "part" are we talking about?

How safe is it for the engine to be moving the MAF around? Doesn't it have to be facing the airflow (like in the stock position)? I'm just wondering if this is just "tricking" the computer, which will give us more HP, but might be bad in the long run.

Again, just me being skeptical, don't take it personally

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by E.T.

This is just the skeptic in me coming out, but 1mm is pretty insignificant. What "part" are we talking about?

How safe is it for the engine to be moving the MAF around? Doesn't it have to be facing the airflow (like in the stock position)? I'm just wondering if this is just "tricking" the computer, which will give us more HP, but might be bad in the long run.

Again, just me being skeptical, don't take it personally

The part I was referring to was the barrel between the filter housing and the throttle body. It's the part where the mass air flow sensor is located. The barrel size affects air velocity through the MAF sensor. Smaller size = higher velocity. Larger size = lower velocity. When you are dealing with something that is only 70-80mm in diameter, 1mm can make a difference in the reading from the MAF sensor. Trust me, before I started working with Vararam, I had no clue about how all of this worked together.

Moving the MAF sensor around isn't a problem, as long as it is always oriented with the airflow coming through it in the correct direction. Check out all of the various ways the other intake manufacturers have moved the sensor around when compared to stock. If the airflow is stabilized prior to entering the MAF sensor, then the sensor can get a consistent reading. If the airflow isn't stabilized and controlled first then the readings of what is going into the engine will be inconsistent and affect performance.

[devildoc]

I wonder if I could sell my modified airaid & box, lol

[PoorMansCamaro]

i'm very interested in other independant tests. If all come back with impressive gains like this, i'll have to sell my injen. lol

[VR Baron]

I agree with the miles. Going from Airaid even to Injen took 3 weeks or so before it settled in.My muffler guy even said 60 or so miles when refering to mufflers. Thats why I am in the middle on all these tests. People say mfgs dont do it right or are inflated, then we go on the dyno and get 3 pulls and if different pronounce ours as correct. It does take alot to get good steady data and time in the seat will get you there.

[Cyber Gray]

Guys I hope that I'm not asking a stupied question but do you expect the same results on auto trans ? There are always extra ponies on the manual !!

[rolnslo]

I would expect to see similar numbers from an automatic as well. Vararam did their initial development of this intake using an auto V6 and then applied what they learned to the manual V6. When I first started working with Vararam, I asked what kind of gains they got out of the automatic and was told 'about 25hp' [couldn't tell y'all that until now]. At which point, I sure as hell hoped they could do the same with mine but was actually pretty skeptical since that sounded like a lot when compared to the other intakes out there. Now that mine's been dyno'd and shows similar gains, I'm no longer skeptical and am truly surprised by what they've been able to accomplish.

[VR Baron]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

I would expect to see similar numbers from an automatic as well. Vararam did their initial development of this intake using an auto V6 and then applied what they learned to the manual V6. When I first started working with Vararam, I asked what kind of gains they got out of the automatic and was told 'about 25hp' [couldn't tell y'all that until now]. At which point, I sure as hell hoped they could do the same with mine but was actually pretty skeptical since that sounded like a lot when compared to the other intakes out there. Now that mine's been dyno'd and shows similar gains, I'm no longer skeptical and am truly surprised by what they've been able to accomplish.

Rolnslo, It's sounding like a good system, but not surprised based on the design. As I've said, very similar to my 98 z28's and that works well. The big advantage it will have over the Injen is the extra ummph at speed from the ram air I would think.

I would like to see it. Hopefully see you at the Fest.

[CamaroDreams07]

As much as Vararam left a sour taste in my mouth with our communications in the past, I do want what's best for my car. If these numbers hold up, and after we see a dyno for an auto, then I will have no choice but to replace the K&N.

If this is the real deal, it's very impressive. I'm not surprised, which is why I initially was waiting for Vararam until I gave up.

How is the sound of this system in comparison to an open filter system like a KN? I love the growl I got from changing the intake.

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by blackbee

I would like to see it. Hopefully see you at the Fest.

I'll be there!

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

How is the sound of this system in comparison to an open filter system like a KN? I love the growl I got from changing the intake.

It's kind of hard to tell with my car. When I get on it enough to where you would normally hear any other intake sucking air, I just hear my SOLO exhaust.

Personally, I don't really care what sound an intake makes, as long as it makes the power. I changed my exhaust because that's the sound I wanted to hear, not the engine or intake. I know some of you care about the sound an intake makes but sound does not necessarily equate to power. If an intake is making sounds, then chances are there is something in the design that is causing turbulence in the air flow path.