Intake Comparison - Blackwing/VaraRam

[yellow_2002_germany]

I recently shipped my Blackwing equipped vette to the states and my friend Wyodude let me borrow his VaraRam equipped vette this weekend.

I must say that the VaraRam makes a noticeable seat-of-the-pants difference in acceleration even versus my Blackwing. It certainly helps that it is a ram air setup vs the underhood of the Blackwing. The thing that was most noticable to me was the immediately better throttle response, even in 5th and 6th gears. The car went very strongly through 112 MPH when I set the cruise control.

My car only has a Blackwing and a Corsa Pace Car exhaust. Wyodude's has the VaraRam, larger air bridge, smooth throttle body coupler and the Corsa Pace Car exhaust. Both cars are MN6 and 2002. I think it is safe to factor out the larger airbridge and smooth coupler since I doubt they would add noticable increases in performance without the intake and exhaust.

None of this is to imply the Blackwing is a bad intake, but if you want the better performing intake certainly go with the VaraRam. The Blackwing installs much easier and will give you noticable improvements over the stock setup. However, the VaraRam gives noticeable performance increases over the Blackwing in my experience.

Obviously these observations are totally subjective, but I hope they are helpful to some of you out there who may be contemplating an intake change.

BTW: I don't plan on changing my intake anytime soon. I just wanted to share my observations with the group.

 

[DRTH VTR]

I have been very happy with my VaraRam. It can take in water just as well as air, so consider whether that risk is worth it before buying one.

 

[Patrick]

You know, Ryan (Bioscache2) just did a VeraRam installation on his '01. I haven't seen it, or gotten a ride in it since he did it, but he's raving it was one great decision on his part. Now he's got me thinking about it.-Patrick

 

[*89x2*]

while I do not have any direct experience w/ Varrams, I do know in Vette Magazine a month or two ago, the Blackwing made 19 or 21 rwhp less than a Callaway Honker on the same car, same dyno - :eek

Obviously, drawing cooler and denser (outside) air is beneficial

 

[DRTH VTR]

My VarRam added 3-4 MPH to my trap speed in the 1/4 mile, and dropped several tenths from my time. No lie!

 

[Bioscache2]

You know, Ryan (Bioscache2) just did a VeraRam installation on his '01. I haven't seen it, or gotten a ride in it since he did it, but he's raving it was one great decision on his part. Now he's got me thinking about it.-Patrick

Indeed, the difference is very obvious. Also I think its very telling that Vararam has two guarantees. The first is to drop a certain amount of time off your 1/4 mile time (standard on most intakes) but the second is drop at least a tenth of a second over any other intake out there. You don't see many other companies claim that.

 

[Best Vette Yet]

I have fitted Vararam to my 03 vette, the top end has increased dramatically. You cannot really measure the HP gain on the Dyno with Vram as it is what the title suggests....It is a ram air system and is only effective when the vehicle is moving. After taking my vette to the strip, I was able to clock 105mph at 13.95 secs in the 1/4 mile. Other vettes in our group which were "standard", managed 96mph at 14.4 secs in the 1/4 mile. I think that this spec. speaks for itself.

 

[Eagle Flight]

Don't discount the high flow duct, I did that with my Z06 airbox and the car was significantly (noticably) different. I then went to the KN filter and did not really see much difference over a new stock filter. Next step added the blackwing and got a new noticable kick in performance.

All I am saying is the high flow duct and coupler does matter, I also have a VR velocity stack and the package with the blackwing gives great smooth airflow improvements over the stock Z06 airbox.

I think just a blackwing on the stock duct will not give you the full effect, putting a stock duct next to the high flow Carbon Fiber replacement will tell you everything, the stock piece is much flatter and is constraining your system big time regardless of your intake selection.

I learned alot from the order I did the upgrades... Good luck on your choices.

 

[Best Vette Yet]

Hi Eagle Flight, one thing I left out of my comment is also the installation of the hi-flo duct and smooth coupler. I have installed VRam system, Granatelli MAF, Hi-flo duct and coupler and the VR velocity stack. The throttle body is still standard. I have heard that the 2003 has the Z06 intake maniforld which can flow 800CFM. To me it seems pointless installing a throttle body which can flow in excess of 1000CFM. What is your take on this?

 

[Jack R Lawson]

Hi Eagle Flight, one thing I left out of my comment is also the installation of the hi-flo duct and smooth coupler. I have installed VRam system, Granatelli MAF, Hi-flo duct and coupler and the VR velocity stack. The throttle body is still standard. I have heard that the 2003 has the Z06 intake maniforld which can flow 800CFM. To me it seems pointless installing a throttle body which can flow in excess of 1000CFM. What is your take on this?

Question, I was looking at intake systems at Mid American and noticed a gadget called, Performance Plate PN 618-687 that is designed to provide turbulance and improve hp. Right beside that gadget is another gadget called, Custom Air Coupler PN 606-062 that is suppose to smooth the air flow and improve hp. My question is, what are we really trying to do with air intake systems besides get maximum air into the engine. Are these gadgets just something to make money for Mid American Motor Works or do they have some real value?

 

[Best Vette Yet]

Question, I was looking at intake systems at Mid American and noticed a gadget called, Performance Plate PN 618-687 that is designed to provide turbulance and improve hp. Right beside that gadget is another gadget called, Custom Air Coupler PN 606-062 that is suppose to smooth the air flow and improve hp. My question is, what are we really trying to do with air intake systems besides get maximum air into the engine. Are these gadgets just something to make money for Mid American Motor Works or do they have some real value?

This is a difficult one as the Performance Plate seems to be a new product. I know that the factory duct / coupler has ribs and a concertina shape which definately causes turbulance. This tends to slow down airflow. When I installed the HiFlo and smooth coupler, I felt a difference in performance. I am wondering though, if this turbulance is produced after the throttle body and at the entrance to the inlet manifold, would it act as a vortex and 'speed up' the air into the inlet? I know that having a smooth flow to the throttle body opening is imperative; putting a controlled twist into the air going into the manifold may be the answer, could it be a means of "compressing" the air? This would make a good Physics discussion. I don't think that Mid America would sell a product just to scam, they have their reputation. If we stop purchasing from them, the Vette product line would be in the water.

 

[Eagle Flight]

Turbulence is bad by definition in everything I have ever been related in as an aerospace engineer. A controlled twist is not turbulence, that would still be smooth flow. Turbulence creates drag and generally screws up the airflow, so less gets where it needs to be. Contra-airflow, eddys, wakes, and molecular collisions... bad stuff.

Lots of smooth air lets the LS6 breath as it should... It even growls when it's happy!

 

[Jack R Lawson]

Turbulence is bad by definition in everything I have ever been related in as an aerospace engineer. A controlled twist is not turbulence, that would still be smooth flow. Turbulence creates drag and generally screws up the airflow, so less gets where it needs to be. Contra-airflow, eddys, wakes, and molecular collisions... bad stuff.

Lots of smooth air lets the LS6 breath as it should... It even growls when it's happy!

Thanks Eagle Flight I appreciate the info. am trying to up grade engine performance in my 04 six speed with no internal alterations and only have $1000.00 to spend. I am thinking cold air intake, mass air flow sensor and performance throttle body that wipes out the dollars but will I like the results, I have no idea. The other problem is I have no idea of what to buy, the more I read and try to research the more confused I get. Have any advise on how to spend my 1k$? I already have a Borla Cat Back System but everything else is stock.

 

[Eagle Flight]

Best bang for the buck is to buy your pieces from the various corvette forums and/or ebay as folks continue to upgrade their systems. You can clean up, I got my parts a piece at a time that way and in each case paid at least 50% less than new and the equipment was just like new. Whichever system you choose (Vararam, Donalson, K&N, Halltech, etc), there is always someone who bought one on the way to the supercharger commitment ultimate fix for mod-junkies and now wants to recoup funds for the next fix.

Just keep your eyes open and be patient, within a few weeks I've always found what I was looking for... that's the best advise I can give for spending your 1K wisely and getting the most out of it.

Good luck... and don't go buying anything I am looking for!

 

[Jack R Lawson]

Best bang for the buck is to buy your pieces from the various corvette forums and/or ebay as folks continue to upgrade their systems. You can clean up, I got my parts a piece at a time that way and in each case paid at least 50% less than new and the equipment was just like new. Whichever system you choose (Vararam, Donalson, K&N, Halltech, etc), there is always someone who bought one on the way to the supercharger commitment ultimate fix for mod-junkies and now wants to recoup funds for the next fix.

Just keep your eyes open and be patient, within a few weeks I've always found what I was looking for... that's the best advise I can give for spending your 1K wisely and getting the most out of it.

Good luck... and don't go buying anything I am looking for!

Thanks, sounds like good advise.

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

I agree with the used route. I bought both my Corsa Pace Car exhaust and Blackwing filter used. Spent $900 for both.

 

[Jack R Lawson]

I have been very happy with my VaraRam. It can take in water just as well as air, so consider whether that risk is worth it before buying one.

How much water will your VaraRam tolerate? Or do you just stop at the slightest sign of rain on the windshield? The VaraRam seems like the best bang for the buck but I like to go for short trips and would not like sitting along the road everytime it sprinkles, is that the trade off?

 

[Bioscache2]

How much water will your VaraRam tolerate? Or do you just stop at the slightest sign of rain on the windshield? The VaraRam seems like the best bang for the buck but I like to go for short trips and would not like sitting along the road everytime it sprinkles, is that the trade off?

The Vararam is perfectly fine to be driven in rain as the system is designed to dissipate some rain with holes near the bottom and the filter is a sponge material that will help to vaporise any moisture that makes it through. I myself have driven in rain with no adverse conditions. However I would be hesitant if it was a really bad storm and it was so windy as to produce rain that is going sideways. Also I am cognizant of the fact that my opening is now very low and am weary around big puddles where water could be splashed in and I am now extra careful not to tailgate where the water from the rear wheels of the car in front of me could be kicked up, especially in standing water.

 

[Remo]

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering uses the Blackwing System on all their modified C5's.

Remo:cool

 

[DRTH VTR]

The Vararam is perfectly fine to be driven in rain as the system is designed to dissipate some rain with holes near the bottom and the filter is a sponge material that will help to vaporise any moisture that makes it through. I myself have driven in rain with no adverse conditions. However I would be hesitant if it was a really bad storm and it was so windy as to produce rain that is going sideways. Also I am cognizant of the fact that my opening is now very low and am weary around big puddles where water could be splashed in and I am now extra careful not to tailgate where the water from the rear wheels of the car in front of me could be kicked up, especially in standing water.

I have a VaraRam, too. I think Ryan is right on target here. Rain is not a problem (yes, I drive my car in the rain and it has not melted yet). Puddles and standing water could be. The few cases of water ingestion that I have heard about came as a result of driving into deep standing water.