Power Wagon Registry

Anyone running the vararam on there trucks? If so how is the filtration? I'm a little concerned with the lack of filtration with an oiled filter compared to dry. I'm adding a second battery and my current CAI won't work

Don't run them anywhere with snow. The manufacturer doesn't recommend it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost positive oiled filters are more effective than dry filters. I would far prefer an oiled filter over a dry filter. Not using them with snow is possibly due to it being easier to clog the filter with snow/ice than a dry filter.


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The snow issue is because of the ram air. It gets its air from the top of the grill and snow blows right in. Normally, oiled filters don't care if it is snowing. I'm not the biggest fan of oiled filters because if they are over oiled, or not tacky enough it ends up all over your intake sensors.

I drive through tons of snow so the vararam is out of the question. Any other intakes that will fit with a auxiliary battery. I might have to move it to the box.

I was going to get the vanaram myself. It's pretty sweet setup. I think there is a notice right on there website about the snow issue. I'm going to stay stock, until aev snorkels come down in price or another manufacturer comes up with something comparable. I think snorkels look bada$$.

I think a member on here had one but only ran it a short time. Problem with fitment I believe.

2011TXPowerWagon wrote:I think a member on here had one but only ran it a short time. Problem with fitment I believe.

i remember that too.

mike

I bought the Vararam for my 2012 because of the dual battery capability. I live in Edmonton Alberta and haven't had any issues with the snow. It doesn't seal on the top because of the hood configuration so maybe that's why it doesn't suck in all that snow.

I am still happy with it.

altaguy wrote:I bought the Vararam for my 2012 because of the dual battery capability. I live in Edmonton Alberta and haven't had any issues with the snow. It doesn't seal on the top because of the hood configuration so maybe that's why it doesn't suck in all that snow.

I am still happy with it.

Do you do any deep snow driving? I'm down in Red Deer!

I have only driven it in about 8 inches of snow and on the roads in heavy snow fall. When I checked the filter after driving in the snowfall, there was nothing around the filter. I am guessing it would be different if the filter sealed on the hood since the air would HAVE to be drawn through the front of the unit.

I tried one, doesn't fit the 2500 hood, made for 1500... Sent it back

I had one on my 1500 and i loved it. It really did make a difference in performance but like above the 2500 hood is taller so it probably wouldn't seal. I know I drove through a lot of snow with that truck and never had an issue with snow getting in it and I checked it quite often. The deepest snow was 16" of snow which not many trucks will be driving in snow that deep, so if I didn't get snow in it after that I think for the most part everyone will be fine.

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Can you get a dry filter element with it? Not very keen on oiled ones.

Nope, only the green filter oiled element. They're local to me and I've spoken with them before, seemed like good guys.

I thought oiled was almost entirely better? Better filtration, more protection from water intrusion. If you oil yourself and you over-oil you can screw with your MAP sensor. That's the into downside I know of.


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Colibri and Will, what differences did you see with the Vararam? Where did you see your gains? Any mileage improvement?


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I've had bad luck in the past with oiled filters, but they were k&n, probably would of been better of using a screen door. I'm basically looking at Vararam because it opens up the passenger fender for secondary battery. Unless someone knows of a better place to mount a battery. Would there be enough space behind the oem intake for a second battery if I made my own bracket?

That's why I tried it to open up that area. DW, I didn't notice any improvement in mpg or throttle response but it was loud when you got on it. Would get very annoying if hauling and in the gas more than cruise.

Will wrote:That's why I tried it to open up that area. DW, I didn't notice any improvement in mpg or throttle response but it was loud when you got on it. Would get very annoying if hauling and in the gas more than cruise.

That's a bummer. If a Vararam doesn't do anything I'm assuming then that a CAI is almost useless?


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Will wrote:That's why I tried it to open up that area. DW, I didn't notice any improvement in mpg or throttle response but it was loud when you got on it. Would get very annoying if hauling and in the gas more than cruise.

I really didn't notice any increase in noise but the issue is the thing is a Ram air intake, so it makes the most gains going down the expressway not getting on it from a stop sign.

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The factory in take is a CAI, and the ram air effect is irrelevant below 180mph. Haha

I didn't look at it because it was a ram air, only to help eliminate water intake from the fender in deep water and free up space under the hood. You can do the same with a few cheap ass parts from frozenboost.com. Silicone riser, another filter and reroute your actual intake. <$100 verses $400 for something that's flimsy and doesn't fit properly.

Will wrote:I didn't look at it because it was a ram air, only to help eliminate water intake from the fender in deep water and free up space under the hood. You can do the same with a few cheap ass parts from frozenboost.com. Silicone riser, another filter and reroute your actual intake. <$100 verses $400 for something that's flimsy and doesn't fit properly.

What did you end up doing? I'd really like to free up the battery tray location and change the intake from the inner fender.

I've been thinking about doing an old style 14" round air cleaner like on muscle cars. Looks like you need a silicone coupler a base with offset intake and need to drill a hole for the iat sensor and you're golden.