Why isn't Vararam very popular here? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

berger6696 · 09-26-2013, 02:01 PM

Coming from a C5 Vette, you would think Vararam made the only aftermarket CAI. The idea is awesome, basically using stock ducts, they run their CAI to the front of the car to get a "ram air" effect. I see they make one for the Camaro, but it doesn't seem that many here use them. Seems it would generate the "coldest" and most air, so just wondering why the lack of them here. Thanks.

menendez1293 · 09-26-2013, 02:02 PM

Honestly I don't like it for two reasons. Usually requires you to tilt the radiator to get a more direct path and second it just does't look right in the engine bay with all that open space. The Vettes are different so they don't look bad on them.

tramtwo · 09-26-2013, 02:04 PM

They sell a lot of em.... trust me.... now the wedge... well

joelster · 09-26-2013, 02:35 PM

The Vararam and the New Era OTR intakes will be the best of the best. A dyno won't show the gain. Simply sticking a fan in front of a car while it is on the rollers doesn't accurately simulate what happens as you go down the track. The power gains from 40mph+ will be substantial. Too many guys buy their CAI kits from dyno readouts only. Dyno numbers sell product. Too bad for them I guess.

Apex Motorsports · 09-26-2013, 02:46 PM

They are only available for the 2010-2011 models so that is part of it. Plus a lot of people do not like that you have to tilt the radiator back.

vroomapunk · 09-26-2013, 02:47 PM

They sell a lot of them. CAI Inc looks way better IMO, and had great dyno numbers (topping the lists in a bunch of independent tests). They seem to be the most talked about on here.

I also think the tune and no tune options on vararam scare some people off, who may not understand.

SS 376 · 09-26-2013, 03:27 PM

I think the fact you can't quantify the Vararam gains on a dyno also turns people off. It's not as easy to sell people on reductions in 1/4 mile times or increases in trap speeds because very few people (myself included) can duplicate 1/4 mile down to +/- .1.

PalmerGA · 09-26-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berger6696

...just wondering why the lack of them here.

They're ugly.

Mr_Draco · 09-26-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

They are only available for the 2010-2011 models so that is part of it. Plus a lot of people do not like that you have to tilt the radiator back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS 376

I think the fact you can't quantify the Vararam gains on a dyno also turns people off. It's not as easy to sell people on reductions in 1/4 mile times or increases in trap speeds because very few people (myself included) can duplicate 1/4 mile down to +/- .1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

They're ugly.

On all three of these.

bigssc · 09-26-2013, 04:51 PM

corvettes come with a stock ram air setup so adding a vram is pretty much upgrading the stock intake where as on a camaro they werent designed with a ram air so your adding in an intake that wasnt really designed to be there. thats why the CAI and other various brands get more attention because they make more sense for the camaro.

IOM2SSRS · 09-26-2013, 05:01 PM

I have a Vararam and I love it. I dyno'd 429 rwhp with a Vararam (tune model), Kooks LTs (1 7/8") and a Corsa Catback. I haven't seen anyone else match these numbers with a CAI and full exhaust on this forum and neither had my tuner.

It may not be the prettiest, but it draws plenty of attention for being different. I plan to have it filled out and painted someday to make it look better, and my catch can fills a little bit of the void where the air box used to be.

Tilting the radiator has not been an issue whatsoever..

SSDan · 09-26-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

They're ugly.

Well now - that's a little harsh. Looks better than all those big plastic tubes with a 90 degree turn in them!

FanDamNCSU · 09-26-2013, 05:02 PM

I run a Vararam and I love it (I saw a noticable improvement). The only issue I really have with it, is that to clean the filter you have to pull the whole thing out. It's not difficult, just time consuming. I personally like the look too.

omgitsmikeyC · 09-26-2013, 05:03 PM

I'm a huge fan of ram air. The fact they haven't made a working unit for 2012+ kept me from buying one. The only way to tune this intake correctly is to take it to the street and tune as its driven with an inboard tuner. The CAI and the like will not produce the gains a basic fi intake will. I would gladly trade intakes and radiators to use a vararam.

09-26-2013, 02:01 PM	#1
berger6696 Drives: 97 Vette (sold), 13 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 103	Why isn't Vararam very popular here? Coming from a C5 Vette, you would think Vararam made the only aftermarket CAI. The idea is awesome, basically using stock ducts, they run their CAI to the front of the car to get a "ram air" effect. I see they make one for the Camaro, but it doesn't seem that many here use them. Seems it would generate the "coldest" and most air, so just wondering why the lack of them here. Thanks.

09-26-2013, 02:35 PM	#4
joelster Drives: '94 Z28+ '15 Z/28 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 1,282	The Vararam and the New Era OTR intakes will be the best of the best. A dyno won't show the gain. Simply sticking a fan in front of a car while it is on the rollers doesn't accurately simulate what happens as you go down the track. The power gains from 40mph+ will be substantial. Too many guys buy their CAI kits from dyno readouts only. Dyno numbers sell product. Too bad for them I guess. __________________ 1973 Mach 1, 351C cruiser '15 Z/28 Red Hot, A/C 1980 Z28- resto-mod project 1979 Y84 Trans Am 1986 IROC-Z

09-26-2013, 02:47 PM	#6
vroomapunk [COTW 5/12/14] Drives: 2012 CRT NF Cammed 2SS/RS For Sale Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NOLA Posts: 6,115 View My Garage	They sell a lot of them. CAI Inc looks way better IMO, and had great dyno numbers (topping the lists in a bunch of independent tests). They seem to be the most talked about on here. I also think the tune and no tune options on vararam scare some people off, who may not understand. __________________

09-26-2013, 05:02 PM	#13
FanDamNCSU Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Southern Pines, NC Posts: 197	I run a Vararam and I love it (I saw a noticable improvement). The only issue I really have with it, is that to clean the filter you have to pull the whole thing out. It's not difficult, just time consuming. I personally like the look too. __________________ 2010 CGM 2SS/RS - L99 --------------------------------- Performance: Vararam CAI, Vmax Ported Throttle Body, GM Performance Dual Mode Exhaust (NPP), JRE Tune, Hotchkis TVS Stage 2 Track Pack, Vitesse Paddle Shifters, Vitesse Throttle Controller Functional: Hex Vents, Elite Catch Can, WeatherTech Digital Fit Mats, Escort Passport Max Cosmetic: Heritage Grill, GM Splash Guards, ZL1 Rockers

09-26-2013, 05:03 PM	#14
omgitsmikeyC Drives: 2014 CTS-V- totalled/ 45TH ss- SOLD Join Date: May 2013 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,096 View My Garage	I'm a huge fan of ram air. The fact they haven't made a working unit for 2012+ kept me from buying one. The only way to tune this intake correctly is to take it to the street and tune as its driven with an inboard tuner. The CAI and the like will not produce the gains a basic fi intake will. I would gladly trade intakes and radiators to use a vararam. __________________ 2014 CTS-V... with some go-fast bits coming

09-26-2013, 02:02 PM	#2
menendez1293 Emerald Coast Camaros Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT/RS M6 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 9,687 View My Garage	Honestly I don't like it for two reasons. Usually requires you to tilt the radiator to get a more direct path and second it just does't look right in the engine bay with all that open space. The Vettes are different so they don't look bad on them.

09-26-2013, 02:04 PM	#3
tramtwo Drives: 2021 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: N'Awlinz Posts: 6,315	They sell a lot of em.... trust me.... now the wedge... well

09-26-2013, 02:46 PM	#5
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	They are only available for the 2010-2011 models so that is part of it. Plus a lot of people do not like that you have to tilt the radiator back.

09-26-2013, 03:27 PM	#7
SS 376 Drives: 2010 IBM 1SS (Former) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NoVA Posts: 2,032	I think the fact you can't quantify the Vararam gains on a dyno also turns people off. It's not as easy to sell people on reductions in 1/4 mile times or increases in trap speeds because very few people (myself included) can duplicate 1/4 mile down to +/- .1.

09-26-2013, 04:51 PM	#10
bigssc Account Suspended Drives: Black 2013 Camaro 2SS (auto L99) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Long Island N.Y. Posts: 610	corvettes come with a stock ram air setup so adding a vram is pretty much upgrading the stock intake where as on a camaro they werent designed with a ram air so your adding in an intake that wasnt really designed to be there. thats why the CAI and other various brands get more attention because they make more sense for the camaro.

09-26-2013, 05:01 PM	#11
IOM2SSRS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 74	I have a Vararam and I love it. I dyno'd 429 rwhp with a Vararam (tune model), Kooks LTs (1 7/8") and a Corsa Catback. I haven't seen anyone else match these numbers with a CAI and full exhaust on this forum and neither had my tuner. It may not be the prettiest, but it draws plenty of attention for being different. I plan to have it filled out and painted someday to make it look better, and my catch can fills a little bit of the void where the air box used to be. Tilting the radiator has not been an issue whatsoever..