ROJO99

Well the install was not as bad as some people say it is. I have only one fitment issue and that is the Air Bridge does not sit on the two rubber mounts. No big deal as far as I can see. I started the engine and noticed a slightly deeper exhaust note. I know on cold starts the engine will sound different so I have taken this into consideration. Track day is Thursday here in Dayton Ohio so I can not wait to give the system a try. I will not be able to do a direct comparison between the Blackwing and Vararam because I am going to have my DR's mounted for the cool fall weather. I do notice one small item. This is Throttle response or Tip In and some call it. There is a very short hesitation when I goose the throttle in the garage. Not a big worry at all. I am sure in real world operation this will not be noticed.

Before I installed LT's this summer I could run 12.9's all day on the Goodyear F1GSD3's. Installing the headers and non drag radials has been frustrating in that I can not get into the 12's anymore. Is all the same 13.0 @108-109 with 2.2 60's. . Anyways I hope to dip into the 12.2's with the LT's and Vararam paired to the DR's. For reference my best on DR's pre LT, Vararam and LS6 intake is 12.58.

For anyone thinking of this unit, my initial review is positive and I would suggest the mod. One note to add is that I do not have Fog lights on my FRC so alignment was never an issue for this. I have read several people complain that the Vararam slightly covers the top portion of the Fog light bulb. If I had to guess I would say about 15% of the bulb gets shoruded.

Wish me Luck this Thursday I want to flog a few Cobra's.

NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

I guess I don't understand the comparison. Your title states, "swapped blackwing for vara"...yet later on you say, " best time PRE LT's, LS6 intake and vara is 12.58". I don't think this will be a good tell-tale (read: CAI swap) as the LT's and LS6 intake will show your biggest gain at the track. I would be suprised if you gained anything going from the blackwing to the vara. If any gain could be seen from "only" a CAI swap, it would be from cooler temps.

ROJO99

You are correct that a direct comparison will not be able at this point. but to clear things up a little last week I ran 13.0 at 108-109 for three runs at the track. During these runs mods were LT's, HF Cats, LS6 Intake, Blackwing on Goodyear F1GSD3's. Three months prior while in Fla. With out the LT's I ran two 12.9's and one 13.0 at 107. Now I will running with DR's and the Vararam so a direct compare is not real feasable or dependal.

Anyways my best ever slip is 12.58@110 with a 1.80 60'. This was on a early August evening 08/12/04, 21:12:58 to be exact. Since then I have not trapped in the 110's. Best with the LTs this year is mid 109's.

I think the cooler air will be a great advantage for the engine performance, and with luck maybe there is something to the Vararams snorkels and it will up the trap speed as advertised. Either way my largest hurdle is traction so this is the next Mod to work on. Maybe some ZR1 rims and the new MT 17 DR out back.

NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

I am excited for you in one manner as I have an FRC, yet I am not a firm believer in the Vara. I hope to see another FRC hit close to 11's as it will give me something to shoot towards.

Robert56

iTrader: (2)

John, check out the on going list for Z06 times, as 95% of the top 20 cai/dr guys run the Vararam and some incredible times are seen.
Robert

SideStep

Want to sale that BlackWing???

NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

So, because Goodyear tires are on all the cars, that means the Goodyear is the best performing tire to buy?

Robert56

iTrader: (2)

No, but the claimed .2, .3 and .4 gains in the ET can be seen. I don't think any of the top performing cars have a blackwing, as it has been established that the Vararam is the top performer. another one to watch is the new Honker. Also, the fast cars have dumped the Goodyears in favor of DR.
Robert

NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

Ya, I know I was just bustin' your butt. I like the Halltech but unless someone can lay down back-to-back 1/4 mile tests from one CAI to another, I don't have much faith in the "ram air effect" the Vara claims. JMO...

I have one sitting on my shelf, anyone want it for $325 shipped ?

Robert56

iTrader: (2)

Well the Halltech is great also. If you look at Rangers times (holds the quickest cai/dr) he runs the Halltech. Not sure why more people don't use it?
Robert

NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

Not sure why more people don't use the Halltech. We are coming out with a new system that has a filter that is about 7 or 8 inches bigger than the current offering from BW or HT. I will post up pics when we get it done...then to the dyno we go to test.

V-seriesTech

iTrader: (5)

Well,..I did the stock comparison on the vararam. Vararam versus stock. I went from 13.001 @ 111.00mph to a vararam equipped 12.58 @ 113.50 mph. Same car, same tires...etc etc.

I also did a back to back comparison on the vararam filter options.. the FOAM filter that comes with the kit, against the K&N you could use.

almost identical.

12.71 @ 113.25 60 ft 2.066 K&N

and a 12.76 @ 113.25
60ft 2.104 foam

ROJO99

Well went to the track last Thursday 9/1 and matched my best time plus I am now solid into the Mid 12's. I still have not broke out of the 110's(MPH) best MPH last week was 110.78. I was hoping that witht the new Vararam I would pick 1MPH at least. At the track with me where several friends that run in the 11.9's-12.1's and all if them were running +.3 all night So I am hoping for better times later. I feel that I have a 12.2 in the car witht the right Weather/Launch and three clean shifts...

David Gordon

iTrader: (1)

I swapped a Vararam from a Blackwing, All I can say is I saw NO gains at all. I went from running 112 to 113 traps to running 114-116 and that was with race ported heads and a much bigger cam. I was expecting to trap closer to 120 with the additional mods. I gained almost 40 rwhp with the better heads and cam and only gained 2 to 3 mph. I would have to say the gain was due to the heads and cam and not the Vararam!

Robert56

iTrader: (2)

With a Vararam, you need to get your LTFT's in spec, otherwise, you'll be running rich at wot. That is less than optimum. Vararam works, period.
Robert

V-seriesTech

iTrader: (5)

dyno session brother....