The VaraRam King Cobra induction is coming soon!!

tbyrne · May 6, 2004

This system will be over 100% efficient compared to about 80% for some other systems.

The high pickup will located in the upper grill with a 3:1 multiplier.

Water trough system can drain up to 1 gallon of water every 30 seconds! This will allow you to drive your truck like a truck!

A 3 layer washable, reusable filter that allows flow of up to 1000cfm.

No drilling or cutting required for the install.

Designed to be used with the VR Velocity Stack.

This system is capable of building 1 pound of pressure at only 60 MPH.

This induction will be available as shown or with a ram air tube that will have cold air forced into it at speed. This will give it a pretty direct shot right into the filter. I'll have some more pictures and info soon!

Tom

tbyrne · May 7, 2004

Here is some info that was sent over yesterday -

The cold air is producing over 1 full pound of manifold pressure and is generating MAF numbers that are well over 20% higher across the board.

1 VRTest mule 2000 5.3 /big tires extended cab 2wd no towing package

82deg 30.07Baro

0-60 mph stock = 10.44 sec (best)

0-60mph VR

cold air only = 9.86 sec ( worst) NO computer learn time

9.56- 9.68 sec after 40 miles or so

Elwood 2000 · May 7, 2004

How much $$$$?

likeaninja · May 7, 2004

Very interesting! I'd also like to know how much...as well as when it'll be availible.

tbyrne · May 9, 2004

The non-ram air verison should be around $249.

gnutruk · May 12, 2004

Well you know, one of the most important considerations with products such as this VaraRam unit is what effect it will have on gas mileage. With the price of a gallon going nowhere but up for the foreseeable future, questions of improved efficiency resulting from these aftermarket products becomes a bigger part of the decision to buy or not.

Clearly, this product (and others like it) are mostly intended to boost horsepower. They probably do a good job of that. And horsepower increases, along with the consequent improvements in quarter-mile times, etc., have traditionally been the primary attraction for those looking to boost performance. But more and more, I expect, engine efficiencies leading to lower monthly gasoline expenses will come to drive (no pun intended) the market for these products.

Moderately higher horsepower MAY, but not necessarily, improve fuel efficiency. If, at standard speed ranges, engine RPM’s are lower, then on balance the vehicle might use less gas to travel a given distance at a predetermined speed, all other factors being equal. By ‘standard speed ranges’ I refer to such common driving conditions as 35 MPH in-town driving, or 70 MPH Interstate driving. If, with marginally greater power the vehicle were able to ‘work easier’ but still maintain the target velocity, then the trade-off could, conceivably, translate into a smaller wallet-bite at the pump.

Conversely, if these products simply have the effect of ‘juicing-up’ the motor, running it on steroids so to speak, then the public interest in these sorts of devices will continue to be quite specialized, and thus remain small.

Among other things, the buying public will need to see truly independent confirmation of the manufacturers’ performance and/or efficiency claims. Also, the following question will have to be addressed: If the product is as good at it claims, how come doesn’t GM utilize the technology already? Especially if there are (putative) fuel efficiency improvements, wouldn’t GM long since have adopted them? After all, any improvements in things like fuel efficiency make it easier for the car/truck manufacturers to meet the CAFE requirements, which allows them in turn to ‘apply’ the efficiencies to other models in their product line (e.g.; muscle cars, etc.).

Well anyhow, Tom, those are just some of my random thoughts. I would appreciate any comments you might be able to add.

gnutruk

tbyrne · May 13, 2004

First of all I have to say that was a VERY good post!!!

Aftermarket modifications make the engine more efficient. They allow it to produce more horsepower and sometimes increase fuel economy. Induction, exhaust and some computer mods may provide you with this benefit. As an example my Suburban has the 8.1 motor and is fed by an intercooled Whipple supercharger. This truck is a pig when I'm pulling an enclosed car hauler. I used to see a best of 6.4MPG (ouch!!!). This was recorded on a 1000 mile round trip to Canada. I then installed a Volant induction and Direct Hits ignition and saw a consistant 7.4-7.6MPG on a trip to the same location. I also tried to maintain the same driving style. The first trip would only give me about 210-220 miles per tank. That jumped up to over 250 per tank after the upgrades so they really did work.

Auto manufacturers always leave plenty of power on the table. The aftermarket then provides you with that. GM's guidelines are much tighter than what you get from the aftermarket. Not that their quality isn't good, but the aftermarket doesn't have to go through goverment testing.