S&B vs Vararam

[vincentw56]

I went back to that post. He didn't cut the radiator cover and reinstall it. I bet that's why.

 

[HydroRebel]

I went back to that post. He didn't cut the radiator cover and reinstall it. I bet that's why.

That might be true in his case but the Ramforum is littered with Vararam threads with the same issues. I'm not trying to knock the unit by no means I think it's the best looking intake for our trucks though I stayed away from it for those reasons. Lot's of Vararam users revert back to the stock intake for winter which would quickly get old. Outerwears makes a prefilter for it that would help but those are super restrictive and kinda defeat the purpose of having a larger intake.

 

[PowerJrod]

If you live in a place that doesn't get too much rain/snow or dust...the Veraram might be ok. But in the desert areas...forget it. DryFlow S&B would be the ONLY thing I'd put in...other than a drop in dry filter. But I just bought a JMS PedalMax Throttle Controller...so I don't need anything regarding intake lol.

 

[sppb32]

I don't think snow will be a problem but actually a benefit, i inject water (water/ methanol) in my Genesis coupe, and allot of it, and that turbo 4 banger loves it.

 

[Waterfowler41]

Dropping my vararam video for those curious about the sound, skip to the end

 

[19BlueStreakSport]

I would imagine you could probably put some additional weather stripping around the hood/above the grill and you could probably keep most of the snow out.

Here are a few pictures. I've circled the area on the Vararam pic where the snow can still work in. With the Mopar intake, there is a new plastic piece and that area is sealed. The only air that would get in is from behind the grill. if you were able to seal the hood a little more with the Vararam intake with some additional foam/weather-stripping then you could probably minimze what extra made it in there. It wouldn't matter if you left that front trim piece on or not, the snow will go in above it. Best bet would be to leave the plastic piece and add weatherstripping so only air from behind the grill could get in.

So, I'm just wondering why the rubber trim peice between the hood and grill will not stop snow. See the pictures I posted.

I'm torn between the 2 still. The S&B seems to have very nice fit and finish, but the Vararam looks cool when the hood is open and probably gives more of a intake notice having such a large filter. I'm not sure if I like the oiled filter or not, although I'm on highways 95% of the time and no dust.

You can see in my pictures where I'm talking. There is also a picture showing where it sits when hood is opened.

 

[HydroRebel]

I was always a firm believer in cold air intakes, all my previous vehicles had one of some sort. One example, I put an AFE CAI on my 08 Tundra and it made a big difference in sound and throttle response before I did the exhaust. I can't speak for HP gains as I never dyno'd it but I'm willing to bet I gained a few. When I got a 14' Ram 1500 Sport I wanted another AFE CAI. A friend of mine, a GM mechanic but is still familiar with all other makes, advised me against it. He said unless you're planning on tuning the truck it won't make any difference. I said ok I don't care if I gain any HP I just want a louder intake sound. Again he said that the RAM cab is so well insulated you'll barely hear it and all you'll be doing is throwing away money. I installed the AFE intake before I did the exhaust and my friend was right I could barely hear it. When I changed the exhaust I could hear the hemi roar as expected. The AFE intake certainly looked nicer than the stock intake but I have to admit on my end I was wrong and it was a waste of money since I didn't tune the truck.

My 2020 Rebel is the first vehicle since I can remember that I never bothered replacing the intake on. The stock intake on the 5th gen rams is already really good. That charcoal filter on top of the box is certainly very restrictive and worth removing and change the paper filter to a cleanable drop in filter. What other's do with their money is not my business, god knows I waste enough myself on stuff people will scratch their head at, but I think the Vararam adds an extra element to be aware of for people who have to deal with winter driving. Not worth the risk on an expensive truck under warranty IMO. The S&B is a cool looking intake as well so the question you have to ask yourself is for the amount of times you will have the hood popped for people to look at is it worth the money for some extra eye candy.

 

[securityguy]

I was always a firm believer in cold air intakes, all my previous vehicles had one of some sort. One example, I put an AFE CAI on my 08 Tundra and it made a big difference in sound and throttle response before I did the exhaust. I can't speak for HP gains as I never dyno'd it but I'm willing to bet I gained a few. When I got a 14' Ram 1500 Sport I wanted another AFE CAI. A friend of mine, a GM mechanic but is still familiar with all other makes, advised me against it. He said unless you're planning on tuning the truck it won't make any difference. I said ok I don't care if I gain any HP I just want a louder intake sound. Again he said that the RAM cab is so well insulated you'll barely hear it and all you'll be doing is throwing away money. I installed the AFE intake before I did the exhaust and my friend was right I could barely hear it. When I changed the exhaust I could hear the hemi roar as expected. The AFE intake certainly looked nicer than the stock intake but I have to admit on my end I was wrong and it was a waste of money since I didn't tune the truck.

My 2020 Rebel is the first vehicle since I can remember that I never bothered replacing the intake on. The stock intake on the 5th gen rams is already really good. That charcoal filter on top of the box is certainly very restrictive and worth removing and change the paper filter to a cleanable drop in filter. What other's do with their money is not my business, god knows I waste enough myself on stuff people will scratch their head at, but I think the Vararam adds an extra element to be aware of for people who have to deal with winter driving. Not worth the risk on an expensive truck under warranty IMO. The S&B is a cool looking intake as well so the question you have to ask yourself is for the amount of times you will have the hood popped for people to look at is it worth the money for some extra eye candy.

This post is SPOT ON my friend and very well written...kudos to you!

 

[popcenator]

My 0-60 improved with the Vararam installed, and when I had it on my 4th gen it was on year round, heavy snow and all. It's not that easy to get snow up there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[19BlueStreakSport]

I was always a firm believer in cold air intakes, all my previous vehicles had one of some sort. One example, I put an AFE CAI on my 08 Tundra and it made a big difference in sound and throttle response before I did the exhaust. I can't speak for HP gains as I never dyno'd it but I'm willing to bet I gained a few. When I got a 14' Ram 1500 Sport I wanted another AFE CAI. A friend of mine, a GM mechanic but is still familiar with all other makes, advised me against it. He said unless you're planning on tuning the truck it won't make any difference. I said ok I don't care if I gain any HP I just want a louder intake sound. Again he said that the RAM cab is so well insulated you'll barely hear it and all you'll be doing is throwing away money. I installed the AFE intake before I did the exhaust and my friend was right I could barely hear it. When I changed the exhaust I could hear the hemi roar as expected. The AFE intake certainly looked nicer than the stock intake but I have to admit on my end I was wrong and it was a waste of money since I didn't tune the truck.

My 2020 Rebel is the first vehicle since I can remember that I never bothered replacing the intake on. The stock intake on the 5th gen rams is already really good. That charcoal filter on top of the box is certainly very restrictive and worth removing and change the paper filter to a cleanable drop in filter. What other's do with their money is not my business, god knows I waste enough myself on stuff people will scratch their head at, but I think the Vararam adds an extra element to be aware of for people who have to deal with winter driving. Not worth the risk on an expensive truck under warranty IMO. The S&B is a cool looking intake as well so the question you have to ask yourself is for the amount of times you will have the hood popped for people to look at is it worth the money for some extra eye candy.

Yeah, that was a good informative post. I think the thing here is what each person intention is for the intake. If you think you are buying it for increase HP then I think the reason for the purchasing would be a disappointment.

I'm going into this knowing full well it's not going to give me HP. But I do know from past experience that you will get a more air sucking intake sound which to my benefit or others around is fine. I'm also thinking that it will change the sound of the exhaust which would be cool.

As for looks, this is more of a pleasing factory to me when I open my hood or show others. True probably 98% of the time it will be hidden from the world but the main goal here for me isn't purely based on looks. That is more of a secondary outcome, and basically pleasing when opening the hood.

Waste of money? Maybe but like you said we all spend money on something that others may scratch their head. Sometimes modifications are done just to say you've done it and you enjoy it. There doesn't always need to be a performance gain to get enjoyment out of modifications such as this.

I appreciate your input.

 

[19BlueStreakSport]

My 0-60 improved with the Vararam installed, and when I had it on my 4th gen it was on year round, heavy snow and all. It's not that easy to get snow up there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Yeah I see post about snow, but out of hundreds of these sold, how many of them have this problem? Like other positives and negatives with products, you generally see more negative post. People want to show the bad aspects, which is good as it gives you something to look into. But at the same time, people will generally post less on positive aspects unless asked.

I've only seen a few post over the last year about snow problems. I've also read post such as yours, that were positive with no snow. I seen post from people in other areas that get more snow then I get in Ontario (Canada)

 

[ksn240]

I will be adding a cold air intake soon. I will likely be going with the Mopar kit. If not then the Vararam. The Mopar is more expensive but seems like the quality is better. Also Ram has a new hood that will be coming out at some point that is designed to work with the Mopar intake with a vent in the hood to feed it. After that I also plan on adding headers and a tune later on.

 

[HydroRebel]

This post is SPOT ON my friend and very well written...kudos to you!

Thank you sir, much appreciated.

Yeah, that was a good informative post. I think the thing here is what each person intention is for the intake. If you think you are buying it for increase HP then I think the reason for the purchasing would be a disappointment.

I'm going into this knowing full well it's not going to give me HP. But I do know from past experience that you will get a more air sucking intake sound which to my benefit or others around is fine. I'm also thinking that it will change the sound of the exhaust which would be cool.

As for looks, this is more of a pleasing factory to me when I open my hood or show others. True probably 98% of the time it will be hidden from the world but the main goal here for me isn't purely based on looks. That is more of a secondary outcome, and basically pleasing when opening the hood.

Waste of money? Maybe but like you said we all spend money on something that others may scratch their head. Sometimes modifications are done just to say you've done it and you enjoy it. There doesn't always need to be a performance gain to get enjoyment out of modifications such as this.

I appreciate your input.

Thank you and it sounds like you're fully aware of what you're doing. I do agree with you if you love the way they look (even though the hood is mostly closed) than it won't be a waste of money for you. If you choose the Vararam I'll be crossing my fingers that you're one of the lucky ones who don't have winter issues.