Question about starting upgrades

[Haetr001]

I haven't really done a whole lot to my truck since I bought it in May, so I've been looking for some (relatively) cheap upgrades to throw into it as bolt-on performance parts.
I was browsing Moe's stock and decided on a Vararam + 87mm TB and a Catch Can.
My question is how does the Vararam stack up against a CAI, seeing as how my hood doesn't have the slit at the front that would really benefit the Vararam?
I like how sleek my hood looks, plus I have it 3M'd, so I really don't want to shell out some money for a different hood just for the Vararam, nor do I want to start taking an angle grinder to the one I have.
Also, I live in Canada, land of snow and mud... I've heard of CAI's problem with hydrolocking, which is why I'm contemplating the Vararam, but I would still like to know how they hold up against eachother.
Or is there something else I should be spending my money on instead?

 

[doz]

A "CAI" on some vehicles may be dumped into a fender or something which is where the hydrolock theory comes from. Even then its VERY tough and more of a myth than truth.

That said, no intakes on the market run the risk of hydrolocking unless you bury the truck. Vararam is a good intake just dont expect gains with that and a TB only. Exhaust system is far more restrictive than the intake so if you are looking for more performance, look to upgrade the factory manifolds and removing the y-pipe.

A tuner will give you the best bang for your buck in the end. Id buy a tuner before any upgrades personally. Look into a Diablo Sport Trinity or Intune with a custom tune.

 

[Haetr001]

Exhaust system is far more restrictive than the intake so if you are looking for more performance, look to upgrade the factory manifolds and removing the y-pipe.

A tuner will give you the best bang for your buck in the end. Id buy a tuner before any upgrades personally. Look into a Diablo Sport Trinity or Intune with a custom tune.

I'm not really looking to void warranty quite yet (at least until I hit 50,000k).
With the warranty package that I have, it stipulates any modifications to exhaust will void it, but says nothing about intake at all.
And I've heard that the stock cluster has a secondary odometer that stops counting when you apply an aftermarket tuner, which would void my warranty (anything that has to do with the altering the factory computer).
I have been looking at the Hemifever for a tuner, but that'll be after my 50,000k rollover.

For right now, I'm mostly just looking as bolt-on parts that may not necessarily benefit me right now in terms of HP or TQ, but just overall performance (better air/gas mixture, MPG, cleaner burning, etc).

 

[14hemiexpress]

Is the warranty your worried about the factory ram warranty? Tuners will void warranty and anything with the "emission system". A muffler swap should help some flow with the Intake and shouldn't void your warranty.

 

[Lhemi]

Love my Vararam, and my Mufflex delete system. Those to upgrades alone changed my truck 100%.
The better she breaths the bigger the Hemi foot!
Sad to say but just about every dealer in OK says the same. Tuners will void your warranty. And if you uninstall before going back they can still see it.
Good luck and Happy Modding.

 

[BoomerSooner1500]

What does a catch can do? Like what is the point of it and catching the oil?

 

[Haetr001]

What does a catch can do? Like what is the point of it and catching the oil?

Your engine basically burps oil vapours back into your intake via the Positive Crankcase Ventilation system. Putting a catch can in that line will (hopefully) catch all that unwanted oil vapour, giving you a better/cleaner mix ratio.

Some guys are dumping half a cup out every 5k miles, which is a lot of crud saved.


It's basically the same idea as a water/air separating filter in an air compressor.