What's with the VR King Cobra?
04-28-2005, 11:17 PM
#21
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I sunk $200 into one (mainly because the vette's version has big gains) and was happy with the performance. 35+ hp? I'd be surprised, and the 1/4 mile gains I think are optimistic. But there is a difference from stock, in both power and gas mileage. The quality sucks, but nothing that can't be fixed (with more than just duct tape 
) Would I buy it again, prolly not, but I'm gonna make the most out of what I've got rather than jump from intake to intake.
) Would I buy it again, prolly not, but I'm gonna make the most out of what I've got rather than jump from intake to intake.
04-29-2005, 12:56 PM
#22
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Check out this months GM Hi-Tech Performance, I reviewed the latest version of the King Cobra and the standard cold air box.
My results were really mixed, oddly the non ram-air version actually showed gains at low RPM on the dyno, but the ram air showed absolutely nothing on the dyno or 0-60. The review reports the data as I saw it.
In Vara-Rams defense, my fuel air ratios were really rich and I think the stock tune is holding back the whole combo with the long tube Stainlessworks headers relocation of the 02 possibly confusing the computer. Hopefully the upcoming Nelson Tune will make the combo happier.
My results were really mixed, oddly the non ram-air version actually showed gains at low RPM on the dyno, but the ram air showed absolutely nothing on the dyno or 0-60. The review reports the data as I saw it.
In Vara-Rams defense, my fuel air ratios were really rich and I think the stock tune is holding back the whole combo with the long tube Stainlessworks headers relocation of the 02 possibly confusing the computer. Hopefully the upcoming Nelson Tune will make the combo happier.
04-30-2005, 05:11 PM
#23
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Love the new King Cobra
I have been running the new King Cobra Ram Air for about 6 weeks now.
I can tell you that you can deffinetely feel the power increase. I have not taken my truck to the dyno yet, all I can go is by the feel in the seat of my pants when I go WOT. It really pushes you back into the seat. Every once in a while I can make my tires squeal on take off.
All I can say is that my truck (05 Tahoe Z71) agrees with the mod and I think VaraRam's claim of an extra 35-HP is conservative.
I also had the older version of the King Cobra in my previous truck (03 Tahoe) and it worked well, but the new one is even better. They changed the foam filter for what looks like a K&N high performace one.
You will hear the engine improved breathing the moment after you install the bad boy.
I can tell you that you can deffinetely feel the power increase. I have not taken my truck to the dyno yet, all I can go is by the feel in the seat of my pants when I go WOT. It really pushes you back into the seat. Every once in a while I can make my tires squeal on take off.
All I can say is that my truck (05 Tahoe Z71) agrees with the mod and I think VaraRam's claim of an extra 35-HP is conservative.
I also had the older version of the King Cobra in my previous truck (03 Tahoe) and it worked well, but the new one is even better. They changed the foam filter for what looks like a K&N high performace one.
You will hear the engine improved breathing the moment after you install the bad boy.
05-01-2005, 08:17 AM
#26
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I wouldn't say the Vara-Ram is snake oil, but saying the 35+hp gains are conservative is just asking for criticizm if your only method is the seat of the pants and how it sounds.
On the Dyno, Vara Ram's small box actually produced real power at the low end of our ability to dyno in a back to back test with the stock box with a new paper filter.
The King Cobra testing was after it had been on the truck for a week and I suspect the stock tune did not like the combination of the 02 relocation on the long tube headers and the King Cobra box.
It used to bug me when people talked about the computer "relearning" but after all the dyno time I have had with this truck, I am starting to become a believer in the computer trying to get back to some sort of base efficiency for whatever reason.
I am convinced at this point that our trucks tend to react differently to mods. I don't know why, but the variation is there.
I would like to see someone put a new King Cobra on a dead stock truck at the drag strip and post results.
On the Dyno, Vara Ram's small box actually produced real power at the low end of our ability to dyno in a back to back test with the stock box with a new paper filter.
The King Cobra testing was after it had been on the truck for a week and I suspect the stock tune did not like the combination of the 02 relocation on the long tube headers and the King Cobra box.
It used to bug me when people talked about the computer "relearning" but after all the dyno time I have had with this truck, I am starting to become a believer in the computer trying to get back to some sort of base efficiency for whatever reason.
I am convinced at this point that our trucks tend to react differently to mods. I don't know why, but the variation is there.
I would like to see someone put a new King Cobra on a dead stock truck at the drag strip and post results.
05-01-2005, 12:52 PM
#27
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Man,
I wish I could take this bad boy somewhere and test it. My 05 Tahoe is pretty much stock - other than my FlowMaster 70 BBII.
I'm thinking about getting one of the Escort performance computers. I think they can record Hp and 0-60 time and speed. But don't know much about them other than they cost about $200. I might have to start a new thread and see if anyone has had any luck with them.
I appreciate your comments - and for sure my testing methods are not scientific. Please consider that I don't race my truck, unless there is an annoying kid with a rice burner trying to take me on at a stop light (ohh man, the shame they feel when "Lucile" -my hoe- opens up). I can only attest that it is definitely much faster and much more fun drive, which is more than I can say for a lot of other mods.
Take care.
KansasZ71
I wish I could take this bad boy somewhere and test it. My 05 Tahoe is pretty much stock - other than my FlowMaster 70 BBII.
I'm thinking about getting one of the Escort performance computers. I think they can record Hp and 0-60 time and speed. But don't know much about them other than they cost about $200. I might have to start a new thread and see if anyone has had any luck with them.
I appreciate your comments - and for sure my testing methods are not scientific. Please consider that I don't race my truck, unless there is an annoying kid with a rice burner trying to take me on at a stop light (ohh man, the shame they feel when "Lucile" -my hoe- opens up). I can only attest that it is definitely much faster and much more fun drive, which is more than I can say for a lot of other mods.
Take care.
KansasZ71
05-01-2005, 01:14 PM
#28
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Almost forgot.
Vararam recommeds disconnecting the battery for about 2 hours to Zero in the computer. After that it takes about 50-75 miles for the computer to learn the new part. I don't know if this affects how your dyno results came out.
I have also noticed that the Ram Air effect is only noticiable when the truck reaches about 50-60 MPH and above, at this point the air steam is buit up enough to boost the engine power. It is then when you can feel the throttle getting really "fluid" and the engine gets a nice boost. Again I can only go by what I feel while driving it. And buddy it feels good.
Thanks for the feedback.
KansasZ71
Vararam recommeds disconnecting the battery for about 2 hours to Zero in the computer. After that it takes about 50-75 miles for the computer to learn the new part. I don't know if this affects how your dyno results came out.
I have also noticed that the Ram Air effect is only noticiable when the truck reaches about 50-60 MPH and above, at this point the air steam is buit up enough to boost the engine power. It is then when you can feel the throttle getting really "fluid" and the engine gets a nice boost. Again I can only go by what I feel while driving it. And buddy it feels good.
Thanks for the feedback.
KansasZ71
05-10-2005, 08:34 AM
#29
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How loud is the King Cobra under WOT compared to stock?
I am thinking about getting the non-ramair version. I am concerned about the ram water or ram snow effect with the ramair version since my truck is a daily driver.
I am thinking about getting the non-ramair version. I am concerned about the ram water or ram snow effect with the ramair version since my truck is a daily driver.
05-10-2005, 10:13 AM
#30
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It's loud, but I like it. You and everyone around you can hear it when you open it up.
As for the Ram-Air version concern with water. The design allows for water to drain if it ever reaches the filter – Also the air scoop has a void that lets the water drain before it gets into the air chamber.
I haven't had any problems in that regards. My truck is also a daily-driver.
As for the Ram-Air version concern with water. The design allows for water to drain if it ever reaches the filter – Also the air scoop has a void that lets the water drain before it gets into the air chamber.
I haven't had any problems in that regards. My truck is also a daily-driver.
Originally Posted by VortechC5
How loud is the King Cobra under WOT compared to stock?
I am thinking about getting the non-ramair version. I am concerned about the ram water or ram snow effect with the ramair version since my truck is a daily driver.
I am thinking about getting the non-ramair version. I am concerned about the ram water or ram snow effect with the ramair version since my truck is a daily driver.