Vararam installed!!!

[IndeedSS1]

Viral - I was thinking about short throw shifters that only replaced the shaft, but in my mind that would only make the throw shorter and not address other things. Enter MGW.

The MGW is extremely short into 1st and very short into the other gears. The centering spring is very stout. You get no play or slop with this shifter. From neutral you'll pull sightly left and what seems like an inch forward to get 1st. Is it hard to do? Not in my opinion. I have arthritis in my hands and this shifter doesn't bother me at all. Because of the stout centering, all you have to do going from 2nd to 3rd is push the shifter forward.

As far as noise I don't hear any additional sound over stock. Not that I would suggest doing this, but if you leave your hand laying on the shifter it will transfer some sound. MGW will tell you to expect some additional noise as this is a true performance shifter. Knob choice will have an affect on noise transfer as well. The Gripper knob is supposed to be less prone to noise. Something important though, MGW has a patent on the shaft. It's looks like two piece steel with a bushing type of material that helps prevent vibration transfer.

Make no mistake, the shifter makes a big enough difference there is no doubt it's not stock. However, I wouildn't say it's hard to shift. I think the factory Hurst is 22% reduction and the MGW 33%. 33% is short, but I like it that way.

I've not tried any other short throw shifter so I can't give any useful comparisons. (on topic warning)...I can however compare the VR to other intakes

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

(on topic warning)...I can however compare the VR to other intakes

Yes, yes you can. And now you are back where you belong.

[Viral]

Great info, thanks for the summary review! I've read a lot about the MGW, so I understand it's a completely different shifter vs just a different shaft. I have basically no vibration or slop in my factory shifter. I even have a video of it on here from a year ago to show that vs some others that had quite a bit of movement. The point is, I'm just looking for slightly shorter throws and a firmer return spring (I do miss that 2-3 hard shift sometimes), but hopefully without sacrificing much (if any) in the NVH or shift effort. I'll keep pondering it a bit longer...

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Viral

Great info, thanks for the summary review! I've read a lot about the MGW, so I understand it's a completely different shifter vs just a different shaft. I have basically no vibration or slop in my factory shifter. I even have a video of it on here from a year ago to show that vs some others that had quite a bit of movement. The point is, I'm just looking for slightly shorter throws and a firmer return spring (I do miss that 2-3 hard shift sometimes), but hopefully without sacrificing much (if any) in the NVH or shift effort. I'll keep pondering it a bit longer...

I just took some pictures so you can see where neutral through 4th sits. PM me your email addy and I'll send you the pictures, so I don't keep thread crapping. The salesman at my dealership is a big car guy and wanted to see my short throw shifter when I got back from my trip. I drove up there a few minutes ago so he could try it out. He liked the action so much that he asked for the website.

I'd rather tune than go without my Vararam.

^^^ post qualifier

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

[Viral]

Indeed - will do, thanks.

Got my second update to my custom tune. One more set of data logging and email tune tweaks should get me dialed in, according to my tuner. I'll probably call Mach V back this weekend and schedule my next dyno session. I'm eager to see difference a tune makes on a no-tune Vararam. All I know is when it hits 3k now it feels like it's going to jump out from under me

^^^^ back on topic :P

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by Viral

Indeed - will do, thanks.

Got my second update to my custom tune. One more set of data logging and email tune tweaks should get me dialed in, according to my tuner. I'll probably call Mach V back this weekend and schedule my next dyno session. I'm eager to see difference a tune makes on a no-tune Vararam. All I know is when it hits 3k now it feels like it's going to jump out from under me

^^^^ back on topic :P

I too am eager to see how having the car tuned for the Vararam turns out.

[Viral]

From what I've read, LS3s don't gain as much from a tune as L99s, but it definitely feels stronger, so I expect some increase (because the butt dyno NEVER lies!)

[B Mccue]

Just put on my vmax tb, didn't notice any difference. I probably will with the stock air box, but with the vr if there is anything gained with the tb its not enough to be noticeable through the butt dyno. While I had the tb off I took the opportunity to feel around inside the intake. There was no dirt or grit whatsoever in the manifold, I'm confident the vr has a good seal now, the pivoting halves had me concerned. I really have to get that catch can back on, there is oil puddling in there.

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by B Mccue

Just put on my vmax tb, didn't notice any difference. I probably will with the stock air box, but with the vr if there is anything gained with the tb its not enough to be noticeable through the butt dyno. While I had the tb off I took the opportunity to feel around inside the intake. There was no dirt or grit whatsoever in the manifold, I'm confident the vr has a good seal now, the pivoting halves had me concerned. I really have to get that catch can back on, there is oil puddling in there.

I did the VMax pretty close to the same time as my first VR. iirc the TB went on first and I could easiely tell the difference. After adding the VR even better. The VR is pretty impressive so perhaps doing the it first masked the TB gains.

[B Mccue]

Originally Posted by IndeedSS1

I did the VMax pretty close to the same time as my first VR. iirc the TB went on first and I could easiely tell the difference. After adding the VR even better. The VR is pretty impressive so perhaps doing the it first masked the TB gains.

That's what I think. I always put the stock box back on for trips to the dealer, I expect to notice a difference then. I'm hoping to make it to the track friday, we'll see if it makes a difference there.

[swisscheese]

Just cleaned the filter. It was about time!
We had a very dry springtime so it was very dusty.
I also checked for past filter dirt, but it was all clean there

next time I won't wait so long to clean the filter...

[IndeedSS1]

Originally Posted by swisscheese

Just cleaned the filter. It was about time!
We had a very dry springtime so it was very dusty.
I also checked for past filter dirt, but it was all clean there

next time I won't wait so long to clean the filter...

As long as you checked the black plastic right at the honeycomb MAF screen and it was clean, then you are good. Nice to hear.

[10SIL2SSLS3]

Went from SLP Blackwing CAI to Vararam No-Tune.It pulls ALOT harder with Vararam!!!