Vararam, Bullydog and other issues.

[WilCon76]

First the good. Got the Vararam installed finally. I probably did something most won't do but I will explain with pictures. Many who have installed this lately on the 2013 have posted pictures around the forums of the VR not sitting straight because of the lines coming out from in front of the radiator. I decided to notch the VR to clearance it, can't stand it sitting all cockeyed and well frankly it won't lose any flow from it as the rest sits more level and is less closed off from direct flow. You can see what I am talking about on the lower left of the VR. Cut the radiator cover piece as well to make it a little cleaner looking. Definitely altered the character of the truck already. There is scoop left under where I notched, I only removed enough to clear the lines and keep tension off of the unit and lines.

The Bullydog unit is possibly a good thing but it is ridiculous to get working first try. I have put tuners on 7 motorcycles with never one install issue or well any issue. I could not despite years of IT experience, auto experience and programming experience get the BD unit to load a 2013 Ram. Would get everything around it but not it. Very frustrating. Hopefully with a little tech support tomorrow I can get it working.

 

[BAILEY1]

I like the way you notched the VR. Its all about the small details. Im sure somebody will chime in on the BD issue.

 

[Gunz86]

Nice cut on the VR, probably wouldn't have noticed unless you had said something. Sorry to hear about the BD, sounds like everybody is having a tough time with it. Hopefully they will get everything hashed out and soon.

 

[lowone01]

I must jave got lucky with my bully dog because the only peoblem I had was check engine light and it was fixed next day with the update. But I expected problems with it being so new to the market.

 

[HLram]

You said you expected this to happen because it's a 13 model? Why should we expect issues with something that is marketed for our trucks. I ran into the same exact issues with mine when the 12 tuning came out. All of these companies are so eager to be the first to market that they don't make their stuff right when/before they start selling them. I am not just bashing on Bully Dog. Alot of companies do this with their products. It is the world we live in, but only because we allow it to happen. We are all too forgiving when it comes to people trying to gouge prices and basically lie to us all in the name of advertising. I am not saying BD lies to us. But there are alot of testimonies about theirs and others products not working. Hell, that's why they put it in the directions to not to try and load it in your truck unless customer service is open. LOL. Because they KNOW it probably won't work. Ram, Ford, etc are the same way too. We all have stories or know someone with stories of dealers being assholes etc. How many salesmen have BS'd us all before. Not saying they're all that way, just some. It just gets old, us all "expecting" what these people, who take our money for their overpriced products that don't work as advertised, give us all. This good ole liberal world we live in. Ok, rant over. Sorry. I'm sure I'll get bashed for these comments, but oh well.

 

[HLram]

BTW, very nice install on the VR. It looks perfect

 

[WilCon76]

Thanks for the kudos on the VR. There is a noticeable uptick in acceleration and driving to work today I was able to hold speed and maintain ECO mode much easier. Dropping the hammer to pass was also more entertaining.

HLram I agree on the beta testing of devices. The thing that gets me is it's not that hard to make this right. I get the cracking of the pcm and building a tune is difficult, but having a device see a vehicle and register it but not be able to select the proper file is programming 101 mistakes.

 

[Hemi Joe]

You said you expected this to happen because it's a 13 model? Why should we expect issues with something that is marketed for our trucks. I ran into the same exact issues with mine when the 12 tuning came out. All of these companies are so eager to be the first to market that they don't make their stuff right when/before they start selling them. I am not just bashing on Bully Dog. Alot of companies do this with their products. It is the world we live in, but only because we allow it to happen. We are all too forgiving when it comes to people trying to gouge prices and basically lie to us all in the name of advertising. I am not saying BD lies to us. But there are alot of testimonies about theirs and others products not working. Hell, that's why they put it in the directions to not to try and load it in your truck unless customer service is open. LOL. Because they KNOW it probably won't work. Ram, Ford, etc are the same way too. We all have stories or know someone with stories of dealers being assholes etc. How many salesmen have BS'd us all before. Not saying they're all that way, just some. It just gets old, us all "expecting" what these people, who take our money for their overpriced products that don't work as advertised, give us all. This good ole liberal world we live in. Ok, rant over. Sorry. I'm sure I'll get bashed for these comments, but oh well.

+1, a little honesty goes a long way. And if you call them and tell them you didn't notice any performance gain, they will admit that the tune for 2013 isn't complete and they haven't removed any torque management yet. I found this out when I recommended it to someone with a 2013, since it woke my 2012 up. He finally get's it installed after several phone calls to BD tech support and noticed absolutely zero performance increase. He swears he lost some power on the bottom end as well.

 

[WilCon76]

Kind of irritated by that. I am pretty happy with a new muffler and the Vararam. I added the BD unit to maximize the addons and improve overall driving performance. Very uncool if after all the hassles it does nothing.

 

[Hemi Joe]

Kind of irritated by that. I am pretty happy with a new muffler and the Vararam. I added the BD unit to maximize the addons and improve overall driving performance. Very uncool if after all the hassles it does nothing.

I know, made me look like an ass recommending something the worked for me, assuming it would do the same on a newer model. They said TM will be adjusted in an update, but no ETA.

 

[chuck]

Sorry about the issues you're having but I love what you did with the VR. Mine sits off kilter because of that exact issue so it's nice to see one that sits good and even. Love it!

 

[12TrueSport]

My VR sits crooked too and it drives me a little crazy. I didn't knotch it yet because I hope when the hood is shut it provides enough pressure to keep it straight. Your cut looks good. I may just do this for "open hood cosmetic purposes" after I get my lid painted lol.

 

[WilCon76]

Very cool. It is actually a more complicated cut that I did than what can be seen in this pic. I cut straight down and then over at the bend point. Then I cut a notch like this > to remove as little of the scoop area as possible but clearance the bend in the lines below the fitting. They bend back into the area the scoop needs to be.

 

[fastNugly]

Very nice install Wilcon76!
BDs support is actually quite good and they will have you up and running
But similar to the T1000 (in my case) this past December, there were a few updated release and it is now solid.

 

[WilCon76]

Yeah I am getting there. Would have been done yesterday but they apparently sent an entire team of people to training who happened to be who I needed to unlock my BD unit to update it due to some glitch.

 

[WilCon76]

Just spoke with the guys at Vararam, they are coming out with a design change for the 2013 Dodge Ram to fix issues with the AC line routing and the coolant lines on the front of the radiator being in the way of the lower wing. They are shipping me the new pieces this week. Amazing customer service. If you have issues with your drop them a line.

 

[fastNugly]

Just spoke with the guys at Vararam, they are coming out with a design change for the 2013 Dodge Ram to fix issues with the AC line routing and the coolant lines on the front of the radiator being in the way of the lower wing. They are shipping me the new pieces this week. Amazing customer service. If you have issues with your drop them a line.

Yes they are great there.
They are sending us the adaptation kit for the 13 and should have it shortly for all those going forward and present ones.
William, glad they are firing one over to you

 

[WilCon76]

Got the new Vararam scoop and Bullydog is sending me a new unit. Progress finally.

 

[viper919]

Thanks for the write up on the vararam, everyone seems to like these lately....it may be time to put one on my truck.

 

[WilCon76]

Thanks for the write up on the vararam, everyone seems to like these lately....it may be time to put one on my truck.

It definitely makes a difference. I had to take it back tot stock to take it to the dealer and wow did that suck. Could not wait to put it back on. Installed leaving the engine cover on.