POWERFREAK

I was lucky enough to receive a Vararam beta-test unit (#007 ). This is a the "race" unit that requires a tune. (They are also building a "street" unit that DOES NOT require a tune). So we swapped in the intake and a 160deg thermostat and spent the rest of the night working on the tune.

Tuning was done by Chuck CoW of "Corvette's of Westchester" in Ossining NY. I have to say I'm very impressed with Chuck's knowledge and patience/attention to detail to get the car tuned perfectly. This is the guy you want tuning YOUR car.

WOW...this really woke the car up. I can actually pass in 6th gear on the highway now! Before I thought it felt like there was something holding the car back, now it feels like it just wants to keep pulling....especially at WOT...it has a more "violent" feel to it. I don't have dyno #'s yet (and I am told it will be hard to get real accurate #'s with this because it NEEDS air)...but it certainly makes a difference you can feel all throughout the RPM range.

Keep in mind the unit is a beta tester, so fit and finish will be better on the production unit. It is sealed, so I can't answer any questions about the inside of the box or the filter. And, I don't have the info on when they'll be available and what the est cost will be, but I will try and find out.

JasonD

Nice. The radiator has to tilt back a bit to allow air to pass into the intake right? Can you ask them if they know how well it will work with a Magnacharger...and if they need someone to beta test one?

POWERFREAK

Hey Jason.
Yes, the radiator gets unbolted on top and tilted back a little. It grabs cold air from in front of the radiator and basically holds the top of it in place.

Not sure about the magnacharger...it's hard to say for sure because the design could change slightly on the production unit. If I hear of another tester needed I'll keep you in mind.

JasonD

I thought so, there's another one out there that is similar. How do you feel about the radiator being tilted back? Any negative experiences with it? The only reason that i ask is because I am surprised that the GM engineers didn't do this to begin with.

Got any dyno numbers that you can publish?

Good deal!

POWERFREAK

we just installed it last night...but so far, so good. We drove it pretty hard on and off for a good 4-5 hours while doing the tuning...no issues what-so-ever. I did a baseline dyno and got 359hp/362tq...going to get a follow-up dyno next week.

JasonD

Cool, keep us posted.

POWERFREAK

will do...also doing headers and exhaust within the next week or 2 as well. (can't wait).

JasonD

Same here.

AdioSS

wow, who was the genius that decided to put the radiator cap right in the middle of the radiator directly in front of the throttle body?

JasonD

Probably the same one who determined that the supplier would charge double to move the cap.

fast83z28

What did the car put down to the wheels on the same dyno before the air intake and tune?

fast83z28

oops sorry I misread the post with the dyno numbers

POWERFREAK

still no "after" dyno #'s...the dyno wasn't reading the AFR correctly, so there's been a delay. Not sure how it's gonna dyno...there's no way it's gonna get enough air through the intake, especially since it was tuned on the street.