What ever happened with all that Vararam Hype?

[55Designs]

Wow surprised this thread lasted so long. I recently deliberated on an intake for our 2010 CTSV shop demo then after speaking to AIRAID i bought theirs, cost me a whopping $220 dealer. I honestly didn't expect much however i was more than surprised at the results
I must say it sounds amazing and i feel the car pulls much harder. Do I care about dyno numbers on my CTSV? not really the car is so freaking fast and i dont drag or race a luxury car.

Now in regard to our demo Camaro shop car i just cant see any intake giving 40+hp on an LS3 plain and simple unless there were dozens who can prove it with a dyno or Vbox datalogger.

I still wouldnt mind trying one out but not anywhere near what they would be willing to sell us one for. If Vararam wouldnt mind doing so I would test it on the street for 2 full days and ship back and log the results.

[cactuseater]

Well, I jumped off the fence and grabbed a Vararam for my 2SS. After deliberating a few days to install it, I finally did. First, I truly wish the design was better as far as the PCV is concerned. I went out and bought an elbow rather than having the PCV tube sticking straight up out of the plenum tube. of concern also is the radiator leaning back a few degrees - but it does not seem to be a problem after 100 miles. I installed long bolts, but used sleeves on them for better support - with out them the long bolts are useless....maybe another design gig.

Here's the main concern. I looked closely at the installation tonight after driving and noticed the "heat shield" had actually distorted and melted due to the heat on the radiator! Thankfully I was able to get most of it off the car without having to spend 45-60 minutes removing the Vararam again. I was under the impression that this heat shield blanket was supposedly designed to keep heat away from the plastic intake, obvious classic fail. Pictures below. Also, the plastic intake tube is showing signs of flattening out on top -- as if from "crush" ...but the metal clamp is not ridiculously tightened. I did not overtighten the clamps, and am very wary of the intake tube since it is a thin plastic. Any more loose and I could move the clamp back and forth freely. Calls to Vararam go to voice mail, and the mailbox is FULL. :( Not a good day.

On a better note, the engine sounds better - throaty and more pronounced, and it does seem to have a better throttle response on normal driving. Again, I'm not a street racer and I pretty much stay within law limits with my car, and thus I have not really ran the crap out of the new intake. Actually probably never, but I like to know it's there if I ever need it.

Just really ticked about the "heat shield" and the tube collapse. If Vararam has any input - please chime in..... would love to call, but the time zone is a problem. I'm a night owl, and I'm on Pacific Time.

[mulletman]

Cactuseater, send the pieces in for the money back guarantee.

[cactuseater]

Here's the gig -- found out I had a bad heat blanket, after talking with Vararam it's a fluke - one and a 10,000 chance. Got hold of them today and they're going to fire off a new one to me asap..... As everyone says, excellent customer service and they stand behind product.

As for the top of the tube "crush" area, it looks even to me in the pictures that the clamp slipped off the metal ring in the Vararam -- noticing the clamp is vertical and that the tube is on an angle. When I remove the unit to re-install the heat shield I will check this out. Main thing for me there was a clearance issue with the PVC barb. I'll be watching this more carefully when I re-assemble. Pics forthcoming.......

[ssmike]

Wow that's crazy! My heat shield is still perfect! What did they say about the flattened tube where the clamp is?

[73vette]

Love my Vararam! Sounds and looks great. Installed in about 15 minutes, and have ZERO complaints!

[cactuseater]

Originally Posted by ssmike

Wow that's crazy! My heat shield is still perfect! What did they say about the flattened tube where the clamp is?

Looks as if the metal clamp slipped on the top...moved forward and came off the metal reinforcement ring on the Vararam. I can see where that would cause a problem...but moving off the ring was a weird thing that had to happen while driving. Shouldn't happen again. I'll loosen it up a bit, when I R&R the intake for the new heat shield I'll give that a good look and extra attention when mating the tube and the hose back together. The guys are sending me a new heat shield and a new hose so everything should be boobs when i get it together. Otherwise I love the thing as far as performance goes, noticed a big difference.

[cactuseater]

I received my new heat shield and two new intake tubes from Varararam today. Took no time at all to get the replacements, these guys stepped right up and sent them to me ASAP. Patrick and the gang over there tried to bake the crap out of some stock and they couldn't reproduce what happened to me. Seems it may have been a fluke since there are several types of material in sheet form with different properties where they are cut out. What I had may have easily been a different material my accident....I can see how it can happen, and I'm the first and last with this condition. Anyhow, going to R&R the thing tomorrow on the SS.

Thanks again Vararam for demonstrating impeccable customer commitment!

[ssmike]

Glad everything is working out for you! So far so good with my Vararam, no problems and good performance!

[jhormilla]

We have been using Vararam products for many years and have achieved many mile stones with it on both C5 and C6 corvettes and love it in this 2011 SS.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178611
2 to 3 mph higher trap speed is common with it.

Julio

[TrojanRay2418]

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

What's more important..gaining 3 tenths in the quarter, or having a dyno sheet showing a 20HP gain?