what performance mods can i do without voiding a warranty? (wrx)
04-29-2003, 02:08 PM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 378
what performance mods can i do without voiding a warranty? (wrx)
what have you guys done to your cars without voiding a warranty? or what mods can i do that they wont be able to really find out about?
not sure if im saying this the right way... but maybe you get the idea.
thanks
not sure if im saying this the right way... but maybe you get the idea.
thanks
04-29-2003, 02:22 PM
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ciny
Posts: 69
Car Info: 04 FXT PSM
Read the owners manual, it's kinda helpful.
It says to keep the revs under 4k for the first 1k miles.
I wondering the same thing about warrantee issues...I've taken the "snorkus" off and I need to take mine car to the dealer because of some rattles and stuff. I'm worried they might notice the engine doesn't quite sound the same..
It says to keep the revs under 4k for the first 1k miles.
I wondering the same thing about warrantee issues...I've taken the "snorkus" off and I need to take mine car to the dealer because of some rattles and stuff. I'm worried they might notice the engine doesn't quite sound the same..
so no manual.
04-29-2003, 02:37 PM
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ciny
Posts: 69
Car Info: 04 FXT PSM
Good thinkin'! 
I kinda was an impulse buyer WRX (test drive to signing = 2 hours)
But I felt I knew enough about the competition to make a good decision...(even though my wife was supposed to make me test drive everything in the price range 1st!!)
I kinda was an impulse buyer WRX (test drive to signing = 2 hours)
But I felt I knew enough about the competition to make a good decision...(even though my wife was supposed to make me test drive everything in the price range 1st!!)
04-29-2003, 03:41 PM
#7
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Posts: n/a
As far as your warrantee goes, you can do whatever you want as long as any problems can't be traced back to the modification as the cause. So, if you have installed a new turbo and your brakes fail, then obviously the warrantee is still good since the intake has nothing to do with the function of the brakes.
Also, keep in mind that your warrantee is not void until Subaru declares it so. This means that they have to look at your car. You can use this to your advantage, but I would not do so in any fraudulent manner. But...lets say you install an intake, and a while down the road, a serious engine problem occurs. An intake is a pretty harmless mod and is most certainly not the cause of severe engine failure. In this case, to protect yourself, I would install the factory components and bring the car in for inspection and service.
But don't expect to get away with overboosting your engine, blowing it up, putting in factory components, and claiming it under powertrain warrantee. These people are not stupid and you will likely be charged for fraud.
If I were you, I'd wait a year or two and see if any problems develop before doing any major modifications, especially to the engine. Problems in the engine when the car leaves the factory may take quite a while to present themselves. If you modify your engine, it may accelerate the time it takes for these things to happen, and it may well be because of a manufacturing defect on Subaru's part, but because of your mods, they can claim that you are responsible.
Also, keep in mind that your warrantee is not void until Subaru declares it so. This means that they have to look at your car. You can use this to your advantage, but I would not do so in any fraudulent manner. But...lets say you install an intake, and a while down the road, a serious engine problem occurs. An intake is a pretty harmless mod and is most certainly not the cause of severe engine failure. In this case, to protect yourself, I would install the factory components and bring the car in for inspection and service.
But don't expect to get away with overboosting your engine, blowing it up, putting in factory components, and claiming it under powertrain warrantee. These people are not stupid and you will likely be charged for fraud.
If I were you, I'd wait a year or two and see if any problems develop before doing any major modifications, especially to the engine. Problems in the engine when the car leaves the factory may take quite a while to present themselves. If you modify your engine, it may accelerate the time it takes for these things to happen, and it may well be because of a manufacturing defect on Subaru's part, but because of your mods, they can claim that you are responsible.
04-29-2003, 04:39 PM
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 18,369
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Stay away from intakes. Unless you are running far more power than stock (in which case you wouldn't be concerned about warranty) they are more harm than good.
The example of a turbo not causing brake failures is correct- but your powertrain warranty would be voided.
Here's what you can usually get away with-
*cat-back exhaust
*snorkelectomy (removal of intake silencer tubing). No power gains whatsoever, just better sound.
*sway bars, endlinks
*wheels and tires (tires are a MUST have!)
*body kits/mods
*high flow filter
*plugs/wires
*upgraded brake pads (rotor wear is not covered anyway)
*anything else that is considered a 'normal wear and tear' item, unless your local dealer is giving it away
Any other mods, especially those that increase boost, run you the risk of voiding that part of your warranty. That being said, there are dealers that won't try to deny you simply because of mods being present unless they feel they caused it. It's a judgement call. More importantly, you are very unlikely to use your warranty anyway. If you want to make your car faster, then do it- but understand that you, and not SOA, are resonsible if it does hapen to break.
The example of a turbo not causing brake failures is correct- but your powertrain warranty would be voided.
Here's what you can usually get away with-
*cat-back exhaust
*snorkelectomy (removal of intake silencer tubing). No power gains whatsoever, just better sound.
*sway bars, endlinks
*wheels and tires (tires are a MUST have!)
*body kits/mods
*high flow filter
*plugs/wires
*upgraded brake pads (rotor wear is not covered anyway)
*anything else that is considered a 'normal wear and tear' item, unless your local dealer is giving it away
Any other mods, especially those that increase boost, run you the risk of voiding that part of your warranty. That being said, there are dealers that won't try to deny you simply because of mods being present unless they feel they caused it. It's a judgement call. More importantly, you are very unlikely to use your warranty anyway. If you want to make your car faster, then do it- but understand that you, and not SOA, are resonsible if it does hapen to break.
04-30-2003, 06:53 PM
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Landenberg, PA
Posts: 91
Car Info: 2002 RS
I am kind of a newbie at this new car stuff i just sold my 69 mach 1 for a 2002 rs (good trade, huh?) do you know where i can get any info on removing the intake silencer tubing? or is it just matter of taking out the parts? Also do you know what the inside diamater and the outside diamater of the stock 2002 rs exhuast pipe is? thanks for your help.
04-30-2003, 08:56 PM
#11
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 18,369
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
It is a good trade considering the Mach 1 requires 94 octane gas to run properly.
I de-snorkeled everything upstream of the plenum box and pulled the cover off my scoop. Probably 0 power gain, but it sounds good.
I de-snorkeled everything upstream of the plenum box and pulled the cover off my scoop. Probably 0 power gain, but it sounds good.
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