6 month vararam Air Grabber review.

94ram1500 said:

@Tray Burge what did you have to do to get it to work with your 03? I've been looking for something like this for my 94 ram 5.9

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I had to make a 90 degree elbow to reach my TB and it had to go around and over the AC lines, that was the tricky part. I had to fab up the brackets to hold the pan level. I had to build up the foam seal so it would mate to the bottom of my hood. That was just to get the Vararam to adapt to my engine. the snorkel was made using the lost foam method.

Tray Burge said:

I had to make a 90 degree elbow to reach my TB and it had to go around and over the AC lines, that was the tricky part. I had to fab up the brackets to hold the pan level. I had to build up the foam seal so it would mate to the bottom of my hood. That was just to get the Vararam to adapt to my engine. the snorkel was made using the lost foam method.

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Damn that is some serious custom work there!

thanks great job

Hemi395 said:

Damn that is some serious custom work there!

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With what you've done to your truck, trust me, you could handle it.
Let me know if you need any help, I'll be glad to lend a hand, so to speak, I ain't com'n to Cape Code. lol
Wait till you see what's coming!
Keep an eye out for me.

What did you do now, Tray?????? LOL
Jay

Tray Burge said:

Hard to say, It's definitely throatier, but if you look, mines not like any of the rest because I custom built mine and modified it to work on an 03 Hemi for which they don't exist. It also has a deep rich rumble and loud when pushed due to the Gibson Cat-Back.

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hi tray, may i ask to be schooled in the mod here, i so want one in my 04 1500 here THANK YOU, rick chew mid florida, newbie and LOVING big truck life

Pull Ya said:

What did you do now, Tray?????? LOL
Jay

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I've been so lazy Jay, I haven't done ****! I'm all ready for my next mod on my truck (6 pack scoop), but I've been working on my Jeep all summer long. I've got the butterfly door flaps figured out in my head but haven't started yet. Maybe in the fall?

rick chew said:

hi tray, may i ask to be schooled in the mod here, i so want one in my 04 1500 here THANK YOU, rick chew mid florida, newbie and LOVING big truck life

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Hey Rick, sorry it took so long to get back to you.
I'll post a series of pictures here for you ( sorry guys that have been bored to tears with this already) and explain the steps if it helps you.
You can always contact me direct if you need to.
As you probably know I modified a 4th gen Vararam for my 3rd gen, the biggest thing was relocating my overflow tank and making a 90 degree elbow that would go over and around my cooling lines.
The scoop is made via the "lost foam method" (the white scoop shown) where you make a positive mold shaped out of foam, I carved a piece of foam to fit like I wanted (the final shape of scoop).
Wrapped the foam in plastic packing tape, epoxied it then covered it with fiberglass. Once cured, I cut each end of the **** off and poured paint thinner thru it until all the foam was melted out then reached in and pulled the tape out.
The scoop is held in place with "mini" push button hood latches (shiny round disk shown on scoop).
All the rubber seal and trim I ordered thru Steele Rubber Products on line.

...and more
The silver aluminum tape reflects radiator heat out.

The relocation of the overflow tank and bracket.

The rivets you see on the front edge of the scoop in one picture hold a hand shaped piece of fluorescent lighting eggcrate screen/defector I cut to keep large items from entering the scoop.

BrianandChrissy said:

Ive noticed that at WOT, this intake gets throaty. Not overly loud, but definitely noticeable. As for seat of the pants feel, its not something you can really "feel". But I have most definitely realized an increase in mileage. It also opens up the whole left side of the engine bay, making it easier to change plugs, coils etc...if necessary. Not only that, but one must admit that it has a real nostalgic look to it...like the old carb days. Even though its plastic, it is very strong. I have zero issues with this intake, and would buy another one without hesitation.

I hope this helps in your decision in which one you'll be purchasing.

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Im right down the thruway from you. you know the rain and snow we get. any issues??? anything like the pics sir john posted? with snow in the filter.. i have watch a youtube video of kustomblack gunz driving in a down pour and it took on No water. ive been wanting to replace the K&N in my 2011 with the vararam. thanks

Tray Burge said:

The rivets you see on the front edge of the scoop in one picture hold a hand shaped piece of fluorescent lighting eggcrate screen/defector I cut to keep large items from entering the scoop.
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That’s amazing work.

Hemi395 said:

Just put my Vararam in this afternoon. So far I'm loving this thing. The only 2 complaints I have are the filter doesn't look like it's completely sealing against the bottom of the unit which is easy enough to fix with some foam tape, and the air dam is covering most of the trans cooler. Anyone had trans cooling issues with a 5/6 speed with a Vararam? I'm assuming it's not an issue, it's just something I noticed.

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i just saw this older post but wanted to reply

so funny thing. my transmission cooler stopped working correctly probably 2 years after install. i tow a lot of stuff on the weekends between 2,000-8,000 lbs on the interstate with hills in KY.

mine is a 2013 8-speed 5.7 1500 Laramie with the active shutters.

i had to have it replaced and did not link the filter to a possible cause but i did take it off and put back the factory when i had it fixed as i bought the lifetime Chrysler backed warranty they offered that year and i didnt want them to have a reason not to cover it.

i just got around after a few years to putting it back on and wonder if i should take it off haha.

i know others have not had issues but maybe they dont tow as often as i do?

i want to keep it on but maybe others can chime in on this?

fletch33 said:

i just saw this older post but wanted to reply

so funny thing. my transmission cooler stopped working correctly probably 2 years after install. i tow a lot of stuff on the weekends between 2,000-8,000 lbs on the interstate with hills in KY.

mine is a 2013 8-speed 5.7 1500 Laramie with the active shutters.

i had to have it replaced and did not link the filter to a possible cause but i did take it off and put back the factory when i had it fixed as i bought the lifetime Chrysler backed warranty they offered that year and i didnt want them to have a reason not to cover it.

i just got around after a few years to putting it back on and wonder if i should take it off haha.

i know others have not had issues but maybe they dont tow as often as i do?

i want to keep it on but maybe others can chime in on this?

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I have since sold my Vararam because the filter kept popping out of the base and it was raising my trans temps by quite a bit while I was towing. I have the 6 speed so it normally runs around 130-140 unloaded and 150+ while towing. With the Air Grabber on it was 155+ unloaded and 165+ while towing 3500lbs.

Its a good product and does exactly what it's advertised to do which is get more cold air into the engine. For me personally, I want good filtration and my trans temps to be as low as possible so I am now running the older S&B intake with the lower scoop. Not quite as good as the Air Grabber but better than the stock intake.

BrianandChrissy said:

Not one single issue with mine. Love it!!!

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Do you have any other mods outside of the intake?

Those decals have any pricing? I'm interested in some. What colors are available?

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