Vmax Intake Manifold "BLACK ICE-olator" V6 LLT Base Test Results

[rtcat600man]

MORE great things coming. WOW, I don't know how much more I can take. ......

[Mike Norris]

I did not get to do the test with the Vararam today, but will do it tomorrow. I did pull the unit off to see what I would be looking for tomorrow and what I saw was interesting.

With the silicone sleeve off and just laying the unit next top the TB, it appeared that the outlet from the Vararam was not square with the TB. As I rotated the VR up to be square it appears that the VR outlet is about 3/8" higher then the inlet to the TB. I am attaching a pic for y'all.

So does this mean that the BLACK ICE-olator will put these two in better alignment?? It appears it will but we will know tomorrow for sure.

So tomorrow I will get the VR back together and get the base runs in and then see how the VR fits and everything reacts with the BLACK ICE-olator.

Mike Norris

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by bmorecam

Got dyno coming up this wednesday for something similarly related to this exact subject actually. I cant say too much right now since it's still not 100% confirmed, but If everything look good you guys will have one hell of a surprise! Have plenty of popcorn

[mhog]

Originally Posted by Mike Norris

I did not get to do the test with the Vararam today, but will do it tomorrow. I did pull the unit off to see what I would be looking for tomorrow and what I saw was interesting.

With the silicone sleeve off and just laying the unit next top the TB, it appeared that the outlet from the Vararam was not square with the TB. As I rotated the VR up to be square it appears that the VR outlet is about 3/8" higher then the inlet to the TB. I am attaching a pic for y'all.

So does this mean that the BLACK ICE-olator will put these two in better alignment?? It appears it will but we will know tomorrow for sure.

So tomorrow I will get the VR back together and get the base runs in and then see how the VR fits and everything reacts with the BLACK ICE-olator.

Mike Norris

Wow! This may help the VR fit sit in place better.

[ChadG]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

Same. Vararam owners are watching!!!

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by Mike Norris

I did not get to do the test with the Vararam today, but will do it tomorrow. I did pull the unit off to see what I would be looking for tomorrow and what I saw was interesting.

With the silicone sleeve off and just laying the unit next top the TB, it appeared that the outlet from the Vararam was not square with the TB. As I rotated the VR up to be square it appears that the VR outlet is about 3/8" higher then the inlet to the TB. I am attaching a pic for y'all.

So does this mean that the BLACK ICE-olator will put these two in better alignment?? It appears it will but we will know tomorrow for sure.

So tomorrow I will get the VR back together and get the base runs in and then see how the VR fits and everything reacts with the BLACK ICE-olator.

Mike Norris

Mike,

Well as we have seen with the Vararam....seems like they all tend to fit slightly differently because the fit depends on the distance between the TB and where it rests on the radiator, and this is affected by a couple different things. You'd think it should all be the same, but in the beginning we had all kinds of reports from some who said it was not fitting well, to some like mine..that fit pretty well. It also seems to make a difference on how far forward you lean the radiator and how low the radiator brackets are cut.

The one thing to keep an eye out for is whether or not the key fob fits in between the space for the air inlet after the intake is all installed and setup. It may not even require full space for the fob, but something close would be desired:

[Kmorpheus]

Yes, you have to love the Vararam Key Fob feeler guage.

[Mike Norris]

In going over the Vararam instructions, at least how I read them, all they specify is that the exit from the VR butt up to the opening of the TB for proper airflow. On this particular car I do not see how that could have been, but hard to say.

I would think that you would want to "pre-fit" the VR with no silicone to see what the alignment looks like. Just me two sents there.

I will take a similar pic once the BLACK ICE-olator is on for a comparison.

Have a good night everyone.

Mike Norris

[bmorecam]

Mike, did you just feather lay the vararam on the radiator or is that pic after you forced down on the radiator and made sure it had enough room in the front for a key fob to fit?

[chozn4service]

Originally Posted by Mike Norris

In going over the Vararam instructions, at least how I read them, all they specify is that the exit from the VR butt up to the opening of the TB for proper airflow. On this particular car I do not see how that could have been, but hard to say.

I would think that you would want to "pre-fit" the VR with no silicone to see what the alignment looks like. Just me two sents there.

I will take a similar pic once the BLACK ICE-olator is on for a comparison.

Have a good night everyone.

Mike Norris

Mine had fitment issues Mike. I could get it on but under WOT it would come undone. I ordered different clamps but that didn't work either. It seems to have been in place here of late, unless my WOT to the shop caused it to move out of place. VR sent me another CAI which I've yet to put on due to my move and then car went parked for the winter. I wish the seal from the VR that butts up to the TB had a little more space on it, even a 1/4 to 1/2 would be nice but KMP said he shaved down his radiator brackets more then called for and his fit is perfect with no movement to come undone after WOT.
I know you and I know you do good quality work. That being said, do what you do man. I have another CAI home in the box, if things go wrong. Make any adjustments you feel will work or needed for the test.

[TJ91]

Oh this happens everytime with my VR too. After WOT it's pretty much sealed the gap. I'd have about 1cm of breathing room. After fiddling arous with it. It still closes the gap but has maybe 2cm of breathing room after it moves
I've shaved those brackets to the maximum point. I put the factory intake back on before storage because I need to do some warranty work first thing spring. But hopefully when I reinstall, I'll be able to keep the gap consistent

But car still drives like a champ with the smaller opening so I'm assuming the isolator shouldn't affect it at all

[Mike Norris]

Here is a quick pic from this morning with the Vararam placement before the BLACK ICE-olator. You can see the key fob at the front with lots of room and how it sits as the other picture showed at the TB.

Joe, it was still on okay, but did slide out very easily. I have a plan on helping the VR housing have a bit more grip.

I will be testing for the better part of the morning and most likely into the afternoon, so do not expect any results till later this afternoon or tonight. I may post up a quick post about the VR fitment with the BI once I get there if I have a chance.

Thaks all.

Mike Norris

[Blacktip]

[chozn4service]

As I was a few weeks ago for Super Bowl XLVI, I'm all in.

Can't wait for your results Mike and like I said, keep it as long as you need. Weather not going to turn for the better til Thursday with this snow melt starting this afternoon, rain tomorrow and things cleared up for Thursday and Friday. Do what you do as you're the known motor guru!