Vararam Results

[20Xtreme02]

Has anyone installed the Vararam velocity stack on a late-model 4.3L? If so, are their claims true and were you happy with the mod? There web site is here: http://www.vararam.com/products03.html.

[OBI WAN]

I got one, there claims are a bit wild like all but it did help throttle response a little so I never removed it!

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

I've got one in my '98 -- did a few runs with and without. Noticed a slight difference, but with the blower on there, smaller gains are much less noticeable.

On the other hand, I also put one on my wife's Blazer. I drove it before putting it on, then after, then removed it and drove it again, and then put it back on and drove it again. I noticed a little more low-end grunt (not an incredible difference, but enough to say that there WAS a gain) and a little less throttle needed at higher rpm to maintain speed. Overall, is it an incredible mod? No. Is it a mod worth $40? Yes, most definitely. I've seen more expensive mods give less of a gain, so I'd say it is worthwhile.

[joker2040]

I had one and took it off and sold it. I didn't like it myself. Supercharged summed it up though... when you are running forced induction small gains just don't matter much. For the price I paid for it I could have filled my 10lb tank up and had money to spare.

[20Xtreme02]

Thanks, guys. I guess if I find myself with an extra $49.00 I'll drop one in.

[OBI WAN]

$49???? Where was it $49???? Should be $29 last time I looked!!

[VAAKE]

i HAD ONE on my 2001 blazer, you did not have to push on the throttle so much to get places. Vararam told me it would produce about 5 ponnies.

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

i HAD ONE on my 2001 blazer, you did not have to push on the throttle so much to get places. Vararam told me it would produce about 5 ponnies.
Sounds about like what I experienced.

[Maximus]

I had one in my last Z28 and it seemed to smooth out the idle and help throttle response.I don't have one in my TA yet but will soon.

[20Xtreme02]

Jedi Master, you are right. The Vararam page shows $29.95 for the application for my Blazer. I'm not sure where I got the other number. I guess 30 bucks for 5 ponies is OK. It should be all I need to punch through the 200 HP barrier.

[joker2040]

200HP? What kind of mods do you have?

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

200HP? What kind of mods do you have?
I believe he's talking about crank hp. If so, that is about right. Blazers are 190 hp -- add the intake, pullies, throttle blade and Vararam and it would push it up the 10 ponies or so (give or take).

[joker2040]

Ditto...

http://www.sicgmtrucks.com/gallery/data/500/7error.JPG


yep this explains it all.... hahahaha

[20Xtreme02]

200HP? What kind of mods do you have?

I removed two of the injectors to save gas!! :D

[Maxx]

They have a warning.

** NOT FOR USE WITH SUPERCHARGED OR TURBO ENGINES! **


SC-ZQ8 or any other blown member wanna take a crack at this??

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

I haven't seen that warning. . . Hmm. . . I'll need to check their site out again! If I need to remove it, I will -- no big deal.

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

I've had mine in place for over a year. . . Don't know what the deal is -- it did not have that disclaimer when I ordered mine, so it is something recent. So, I emailed them asking why. I'm curious as to what the reason might be.

Until I hear something back, I'm going to let discretion take the better part of valor and remove it. No big loss.

[Maximus]

Well since this thread reminded me of this product on my last Z I ordered one for the TA.I liked what it did for the Z so we will see what it does on something different.

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

They have a warning.

** NOT FOR USE WITH SUPERCHARGED OR TURBO ENGINES! **


SC-ZQ8 or any other blown member wanna take a crack at this??
I looked into it -- I emailed them. This is the dialogue I had with them:

Me:I was reading over the information you have on your web site concerning the velocity stack. I noticed the disclaimer on the bottom of the description stating "not for supercharged or turbocharged engines."
I'm curious. Why not? Does it inhibit the air flow? False readings? ECM issues?

Their response:The reason is that the factory TB will not flow enough air for ANY supercharged combination, the +90CFM of the v-stack won’t do anything for this application. The V-stack is good up to 400 rear wheel hp and that’s it.
Me again:So, let me see if I've got this right. The Vararam itself doesn't affect anything -- maybe provides a little more flow (due to smoothing the TB bore), but that's it. The only reason for the disclaimer is because of the limitations of the factory TB, then.
The reason I ask is because I have two velocity stacks: one on my wife's Blazer (4.3L V6) and had one on my S-10 (also a 4.3L V6). The one on the Blazer is still in place. The one on my S-10 I removed when someone brought my attention to the addition of the disclaimer. I have had a centrifugal supercharger in place on this particular truck for over 3 years, and the stock TB DOES flow enough to support it -- it's the actual intake manifold that doesn't flow well enough.

What I am trying to determine is if the velocity stack itself causes any problems to develop. If the velocity stack is good for up to 400 rwhp, then it's OK for V6 applications -- which rarely see over 300 rwhp. That's why I ask. I had it in place, then removed it -- nominal difference, but if it can provide an extra 1-2 rwhp I would rather retain it (every hp counts!). I just want to make certain that the Vararam itself doesn't cause any problems. If it does indeed allow the TB to flow an additional 90 CFM, then it would be beneficial to any application using a centrifugal supercharger. Is that the actual flow increase? 90 CFM?
Their second response:On a V-6 it can be more, adding some form of plenum spacer would help your application as well.

Well, adding a spacer doesn't do anything for a non-TBI motor, so that's out of the question. So, as you can see, they only add the disclaimer due to limitations of the factory TB and manifold.

Frankly, if I could get 400 rwhp I'd be as happy as a pig in ****! So, it has nothing to do with anything that the Vararam does wrong -- just stock limitations and nothing more. So, needless to say, I've put mine back on!

[OBI WAN]

Speaking of Plenum Spacers, there is one new one out that claims 18h.p.. I just cant get over the idea knowing what Ive veen told that the 4.3 suffers from and thats a larger torque plenum. It inhibits top end flow most say, but yet this spacers creates more plenum volume!!!

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Speaking of Plenum Spacers, there is one new one out that claims 18h.p.. I just cant get over the idea knowing what Ive veen told that the 4.3 suffers from and thats a larger torque plenum. It inhibits top end flow most say, but yet this spacers creates more plenum volume!!!
So, did we get that idea of yours ironed out enough to present it? Just curious. . . I've got things on the board for tonight, but I can get on AIM and we'll see what we can see. Ought to be interesting if it pans out!

And, it looks as if I read their email incorrectly. . . I thought they said TB spacer -- looking at it now, it DOES say plenum spacer. . .

So, Obi, think the plenum spacer shows promise?

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Oh -- PM me with that link again. . . I didn't save it, and I'm interested in looking it over again!

[Maxx]

K just installed it b/c it was finally warm enough out side. Had to file the rim to get the bonnet over the spacer. Smoothed out my idle. Haven't got to take it for a drive anyhow before or after install b/c roads are all slushy.

[mattownsa97withmafproblem]

yeah i filed both down the intake in the sides of the vararam but me being the dumb ass i am i cut down the intake a lil so now one ends to heavy and it's causing the top to pop off the throttle so it likes to stall in traffic so i have to stop put the intake back on the throttle body then drive again cause the truck wont run oh and does it matter if the thing sits in the intake or the throttle body cause everytime i try to put the intake over the throttle body the vararam wants to pop up and sit inside the intake :O/ so help would be appreciated :)

[badazztoyz]

where does this go on a 98, is it between the throttle body and intake manifold? how thick are they so i can fab one