Vararam Install Tips - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

lscamaro · 03-23-2012, 12:45 AM

Okay guys, it took a while but I finally did it. I bought a vararam off a forum member and was able to sell my airaid and come out even!! I'm extremely skeptical about the vararam being better but i want to find out first hand what all the rave is about. It also helps that its been confirmed the iceolator works with it since that was holding me back.

Okay well does anyone have any tips so that I can make this install as pain free as possible? I should get it next week and install it sometime there after.

Rickmaff · 03-23-2012, 05:42 AM

Not much to say about it, the install is very straight forward. My only issue with the supplied instructions was the bit about the tabs you need to remove on the radiator brackets. I wasn't sure what it was talking about when it said to remove them, I thought it was part of the Vararam itself, but very quickly realized that it was the stock pieces.

TJ91 · 03-23-2012, 09:40 AM

honestly, the install is pretty straight forward. The only thing that is a b**** sometimes is getting the maf to sit in. Other then that, its very easy. Hardest part will be cutting the brackets and thats simple btw!

14pilot · 03-23-2012, 10:08 AM

Ditch the cheap a$$ hose clamps and replace with T-Bolt clamps. The hose clamps not only look like crap, but I had a sealing issue with them that allowed unfiltered, unmetered air to leak in. I spent like $8 at Summit for my Stainless T-Bolts. Looks much better and no more air leaking.

lscamaro · 03-23-2012, 10:28 AM

What did you guys cut the clamps with?

Can you post the link for the clamps?

Has anyone changed the clamps out?

Angelsilhouette · 03-23-2012, 10:41 AM

I still haven't installed mine after I got it from the group buy because I injured my back shortly after receiving it and I still have limited use of my right arm.
One advantage of this is learning about the T-bolt clamps. :p

Here's a link for some clamps

lscamaro · 03-23-2012, 11:27 AM

Do you know what size we might need?

KMPrenger · 03-23-2012, 12:54 PM

I went from the AirRaid V2 to the Vararam and I can tell you just the improvement in sound alone was worth the difference in cost. The performance improvement definitely makes it worth it. You may not notice much of a power change at very low speeds (or you might?) but the improvement at on the road speeds were obvious for me.

My recommendations:

Make sure you shave down those radiator brackets plenty far! Not sure how to describe it, but go as far down before you start cutting forward as the front of the bracket is. I have pictures in an album on my profile that may help you with this.

Besure to remove the black plastic piece that rests on top of the condensor. Once you do this it will open up a small gap between the radiator and the condensor that you will slide the heatsheld in between when you rest it on top of the radiator.

Replacing the stock clamps is a good idea.

Make it pretty snugg, but don't tighten down real hard on clamp that goes over the horn of the intake. You could possibly bend the plastic when it heats up.

Once the install is done you should have enough room for your keyfob to fit in between the filter and the air inlet (again, see my pics for reference)

Finally, after driving, check the air inlet gap to be sure it is not closing up on you. If you drive the car a few times and it doesn't move, you are likely good to go!

Hope that helps!

lscamaro · 03-23-2012, 04:28 PM

What are you guys cutting the brackets with?

Eric59 · 03-23-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lscamaro

What are you guys cutting the brackets with?

The bracket is a hard plastic and I used a dremmel with a cutting wheel to notch it out.

Can't_C_Me · 03-23-2012, 05:43 PM

I used a small $5 hand saw from Walmart. And there is a install video on the original VR thread. That's what I used.

Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

KMPrenger · 03-23-2012, 06:16 PM

I also used a handsaw. Not hard, but takes much longer than a dremel of course.

KMPrenger · 03-23-2012, 06:22 PM

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that disconnecting the battery during install could be beneficial for resetting your fuel trips, and when you take it out its probably a good idea to drive the car "normal" for a good while before you begin to let her rip and the car learns the new airflow.

lscamaro · 03-23-2012, 07:07 PM

I'm going to go ahead and look at the install videos and hopefully I can get it done Lol.

03-23-2012, 12:45 AM	#1
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	Vararam Install Tips Okay guys, it took a while but I finally did it. I bought a vararam off a forum member and was able to sell my airaid and come out even!! I'm extremely skeptical about the vararam being better but i want to find out first hand what all the rave is about. It also helps that its been confirmed the iceolator works with it since that was holding me back. Okay well does anyone have any tips so that I can make this install as pain free as possible? I should get it next week and install it sometime there after. __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

03-23-2012, 05:42 AM	#2
Rickmaff Drives: 2011 1LT M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Posts: 50	Not much to say about it, the install is very straight forward. My only issue with the supplied instructions was the bit about the tabs you need to remove on the radiator brackets. I wasn't sure what it was talking about when it said to remove them, I thought it was part of the Vararam itself, but very quickly realized that it was the stock pieces. __________________

03-23-2012, 09:40 AM	#3
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,033	honestly, the install is pretty straight forward. The only thing that is a b** sometimes is getting the maf to sit in. Other then that, its very easy. Hardest part will be cutting the brackets and thats simple btw! __________________ CAMARO Consult your doctor before taking Camaro Side effects include Sudden increase in Heart Rate, Insomnia and occasional hallucinations If you experience Permagrin exceeding 4 hours after taking Camaro, seek immediate Camaro5 Help CAMARO** Bringing excitment back into the Garage

03-23-2012, 10:28 AM	#5
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	What did you guys cut the clamps with? Can you post the link for the clamps? Has anyone changed the clamps out? __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

03-23-2012, 10:41 AM	#6
Angelsilhouette Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS, Red Jewel Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: LA (Lower AlaBAMa) Posts: 588 View My Garage	I still haven't installed mine after I got it from the group buy because I injured my back shortly after receiving it and I still have limited use of my right arm. One advantage of this is learning about the T-bolt clamps. :p Here's a link for some clamps __________________ Still not quite done.

03-23-2012, 11:27 AM	#7
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	Do you know what size we might need? __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

03-23-2012, 12:54 PM	#8
KMPrenger Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 13,943	I went from the AirRaid V2 to the Vararam and I can tell you just the improvement in sound alone was worth the difference in cost. The performance improvement definitely makes it worth it. You may not notice much of a power change at very low speeds (or you might?) but the improvement at on the road speeds were obvious for me. My recommendations: Make sure you shave down those radiator brackets plenty far! Not sure how to describe it, but go as far down before you start cutting forward as the front of the bracket is. I have pictures in an album on my profile that may help you with this. Besure to remove the black plastic piece that rests on top of the condensor. Once you do this it will open up a small gap between the radiator and the condensor that you will slide the heatsheld in between when you rest it on top of the radiator. Replacing the stock clamps is a good idea. Make it pretty snugg, but don't tighten down real hard on clamp that goes over the horn of the intake. You could possibly bend the plastic when it heats up. Once the install is done you should have enough room for your keyfob to fit in between the filter and the air inlet (again, see my pics for reference) Finally, after driving, check the air inlet gap to be sure it is not closing up on you. If you drive the car a few times and it doesn't move, you are likely good to go! Hope that helps! __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS - 8-speed - NPP - Black bowties 2010 Camaro 1LT V6 (Sold. I will miss her!)

03-23-2012, 04:28 PM	#9
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	What are you guys cutting the brackets with? __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

03-23-2012, 05:43 PM	#11
Can't_C_Me Don't Sleep on My V6 Drives: 2016 C7 1LT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Oxford, GA Posts: 3,596 View My Garage	I used a small $5 hand saw from Walmart. And there is a install video on the original VR thread. That's what I used. Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk __________________

03-23-2012, 06:16 PM	#12
KMPrenger Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 13,943	I also used a handsaw. Not hard, but takes much longer than a dremel of course. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS - 8-speed - NPP - Black bowties 2010 Camaro 1LT V6 (Sold. I will miss her!)

03-23-2012, 06:22 PM	#13
KMPrenger Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 13,943	Oh yeah, forgot to mention that disconnecting the battery during install could be beneficial for resetting your fuel trips, and when you take it out its probably a good idea to drive the car "normal" for a good while before you begin to let her rip and the car learns the new airflow. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS - 8-speed - NPP - Black bowties 2010 Camaro 1LT V6 (Sold. I will miss her!)

03-23-2012, 07:07 PM	#14
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	I'm going to go ahead and look at the install videos and hopefully I can get it done Lol. __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

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