2.3 MPG improvement with the King Cobra induction!

tbyrne · August 23, 2004

I installed the VaraRam King Cobra induction in my 2002 8.1 Silverado when our shipment arrived last week. This is the non-ram air version (full kit isn't available yet). I put about 40 miles on the truck and then layed into it a few times to see what the "butt meter" had to say. Throttle response seemed better than the other aftermarket system that I was using. It also felt like it pulled better through the RPM range. I then filled up and put 131 miles on the truck before filling up. It took 11.93 gallons which gave me 10.9 MPG. I then went 176 miles before filling up again. It took 16.6 gallons so I had 10.6 MPG on that tank (10.75 average). This is a big increase over what I was seeing with the other system. The 3 tanks before this test gave me an average of 8.4 MPH. I pretty much maintain the same driving style and stay in the same area all the time so I usually know what kind of mileage I will see (varies by .30-.40). The only time that I used to see over 10 MPG was doing all highway driving so there was a very noticeable difference in fuel economy with this system. It picked up by 2.35 MPG.

I've calibrated my speed with a GPS after doing a gear swap a few months ago so it's on the money. It looks like this system will be saving me some money at the pumps! My Suburban will be getting one in a few days and both trucks will have the ram air portion of this kit when it's released (hopefully that will be very soon). I'll be keeping track of the mileage for both of these trucks to see how it is down the road.

Test truck info - 2002 Silverado HD with 37" tires, 4.56 gears, Allison transmission, VaraRam induction, stock tube to the ported throttlebody, throttlebody spacer, Direct Hits ignition, TOG headers, mild Comp Cam, 1.7 roller rockers and Westers tuning.

Steve Cornell · August 23, 2004

Great News Tom !!

I'll be ordering one for my 6.0 !!!

any idea of a delivery date for the "complete system"? and can the Ram Air portion be added later?

Thanks,

Steve

linda · August 23, 2004

Man, thats pretty impressive....make sure we know when that full system comes in...

tbyrne · August 23, 2004

I'm going to check on the full system today. The ram air portion can be added at a later date. That's what I'll be doing with this truck.

4-By-4 · August 23, 2004

Tom..do these use an oiled filter like a k&n? are you planning on having any introductory specials on them?

mhraracing · August 24, 2004

I'm going to check on the full system today. The ram air portion can be added at a later date. That's what I'll be doing with this truck.

I smell a group buy in the very near future !!!

JimWilson · August 24, 2004

I'll be ordering one for my 6.0 !!!

Let me know how it works out. If you get the kind of mileage increase Tom got I may have to rethink the whole "I hate filters that need to be oiled" thing...

Chevyfreek · August 24, 2004

A 2 mpg increase in fuel economy would be worth the purchase price of the Vararam system alone. An increase in power would be an additional bonus IMO. I am also curious to hear how the 6.0L responds to the Vararam...

linda · August 24, 2004

Why rear wheel spacers "CHEVYFREAK"?

ToeJam · August 24, 2004

I smell a group buy in the very near future !!!

NOOOOO....I don't need yet another expensive toy to buy. Must....fend....off....truck....mods....must....resist....

ToeJam · August 24, 2004

This is from Vararam's web site...

The drop is torque up until about 50mph with the full system is interesting. I wonder if there isn't enough head wind up until that point to feed the vacuum created by the engine intake. That could in theory account for the slight drop in numbers.

But the improvements after 50 mph look awesome. I normally cruise around 70 mph and could use the extra power on the hills to keep the transmission from gear hunting.

linda · August 25, 2004

Come on full system!!

Edit:

Just contacted VAR-A-RAM....they said another month until the full systems were shipping. If these things didnt look so d**n good, i would say the heck with it. I hate the waiting game...

tbyrne · August 26, 2004

Quick upgrade - I should have the ram air portion of this system on Saturday. large shipment will be heading this way next week if my install and testing goes ok.