<Best low-cost mods w/o voiding warranty?>

[Vroom]

List 'em, please :thumbs_u:. It's for a stock ('cept cams are welded) '97 SHO. I have a 3 yr premium aftermarket warranty that covers quite a bit (except when I try to get them to pay for anything... grrr)

I know of the K&N cone filter, but that voids a warranty. I'll probably just go with a K&N air filter sometime.

The VAK seems cool. Will it void a warranty?

SARC?

The porterized/saxocone mod-- void a warranty or not?

Flowmaster 40 series-- obviously doesn't void a warranty, but what about removing the resonator and/or 3rd cat?

Performance chip-- does it void a warranty? And if not, which one should I choose?

Please let me know of any other options that wouldn't void a warranty and would be cheap and worthwhile to do.

 

[americanmotorsport.com]

An EEC flash. It's like having achip, but dealers can't tell.

 

[Glue Maker]

What do you mean? A battery unplug?

 

[Vroom]

I would assume it's a way to either flash once or install something to recalibrate the computer constantly so that the shifts are consistent and the power is distributed evenly.

But that is a complete guess. Please fill us in, as well as the cost and where to get this...

 

[americanmotorsport.com]

You could get your EEC reflashed. This way, the EEC itself is re-programmed (or flashed) the EEC with a custom performance program, as if you had a chip. The PCM itself would be programmed with the "chip" program, except you don't have a chip...so when dealers check, the chip port is still intact, and thus, your warranty remains. There is no real way to "check" the programming.

Our firm can do this for you, although it is not listed on our page, we do offer this service. Check out our web site or contact me via e-mail ( [email protected] ) if you wish to discuss the details

 

[stephen newberg]

List 'em, please :thumbs_u:. It's for a stock ('cept cams are welded) '97 SHO. I have a 3 yr premium aftermarket warranty that covers quite a bit

Skye, if I have counted correctly, the warranty on that vehicle may already have expired. Does it run from the date you purchased it (which would be fine) or the date of the initial operation of the vehicle (which is very common also). If this last, it is not valid, and you might want to to talk to them about it.

If this were the FMC premium extended warranty, the answers would be as follows, but keep in mind that this can vary for other warranties and you need to check the specific wording of each.

"I'll probably just go with a K&N air filter sometime."

That should be no problem.

"The VAK seems cool. Will it void a warranty?"

Yes, it would. A clear change in provided systems operation.

"SARC?"

Yes, that would too, if they knew about it, but it is pretty easily missed. In general any wiring change that removes function from original wiring without replacing it for the same operational effect is a warranty break.

"what about removing the resonator and/or 3rd cat?"

Very definately voids all warranties that I have heard of, plus potential problems with the law, depending on your location.

"Performance chip-- does it void a warranty?"

Yes, most likely, but again, only if it is found, and that may not happen.

pax, smn

 

[Vroom]

Thanks, Stephen.

It's not a FMC warranty, it's a Mastertech aftermarket warranty. It shouldn't be expired yet; I've only had the car for a little over a year.

That's too bad about all that stuff voiding it... We don't have any emissions tests in South Dakota, so does that make any difference?

 

[Vroom]

We at American MotorSport have the ability to reprogram the EEC. What we do is we re-program (or flash) the EEC with a custom performance program, as if you had a chip. The PCM itself would be programmed with the "chip" program, except you don't have a chip...so when dealers check, the chip port is still intact, and thus, your warranty remains.

Although it is not listed on our page, we do offer this service for the same price as a chip.

So, what changes does it exactly make? And it'll last for the life of the car, and not cause any potential problems?

 

[stephen newberg]

It's not a FMC warranty, it's a Mastertech aftermarket warranty. It shouldn't be expired yet; I've only had the car for a little over a year.

That's too bad about all that stuff voiding it... We don't have any emissions tests in South Dakota, so does that make any difference?

You should check the wording of the Mastertech warranty in the small print areas. That would be where you might find particulars dealing with coverage limitations.

Though many US states do not have emissions inspections, there are federal laws in the US and in Canada that cover this area and most warranty systems are pretty specific about alterations that contravene federal polution control laws. You can can certainly remove such gear, and if you do not get caught, you are fine. But if they are looking for a way out of paying and they find it, you are out of luck.

pax, smn

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Look up Moss-Magnusson using your favorite search engine. There is very little you can do to a car (except as Stephen mentioned altering emissions-control equipment) that can void a vehicle warranty. Even the K&N won't, despite Ford saying it will.

 

[americanmotorsport.com]

So, what changes does it exactly make? And it'll last for the life of the car, and not cause any potential problems?

It makes all the changes a chip makes, or any changes you WANT to make. It is like having a chip, w/othe hcip.

Yes, it lasts for the life of the car...it is basicaly reprogramming your stock PCM, so instead of having the stock program, you have ours. No, it will not create any problems.

 

[americanmotorsport.com]

Look up Moss-Magnusson using your favorite search engine. There is very little you can do to a car (except as Stephen mentioned altering emissions-control equipment) that can void a vehicle warranty. Even the K&N won't, despite Ford saying it will.

Despite this act, they will void your warranty if they feel like it...and are you going to take the time to take them to court and what not to eoforce your warranty? I know a lot of people that had it voided for something stupid...and they made a notation in the computer and gave them letters saying so.

 

[stephen newberg]

I think Alberto is correct in his assesment in his post just above. If it skims the line anywhere, in spite of that particular piece of legislation, they will void the warranty if they want and it is not likely that you will have the time or funds to get them to change that via the courts.

pax, smn

 

[Vroom]

Grr... well, I guess I'll be sticking to mods that don't skim that line. Anyone know of any other ones that can be done?

 

[Glue Maker]

Grr... well, I guess I'll be sticking to mods that don't skim that line. Anyone know of any other ones that can be done?

Stickers and Red paint.

 

[97V8SHO]

The SARC won't viod the warranty if you take out the fuse like did. You can say it went out and you didn't have enuf time to go get one. And the only other mod that wont viod a warranty is a cat-back exhaust sytem, I was told you can remove the resenator without vioding it but the 3rd cat is most deff a no no. You could also add a strut tower brace, my bro has one on his Cobra and Ford hasn't siad anything to him about it.

 

[Vroom]

I'd be interested in learning if removing the resonator will void it, because I can't decide if I want to have it removed or not when I have some Flowmasters installed.

According to my warranty---Noncovered Conditions

4. Misuse or abuse: Negligence, modification, alteration, tampering, disconnection, improper adjustments or repairs, installation of parts not equivalent in quality and design to parts supplied by manufacturer or add-on parts.

Noncovered Services: Blah Blah filters Blah blah

Noncovered Parts: Blah Blah Exhaust System Blah blah

P.S. 97V8SHO-- both our cars had a good day on March 20 :thumbs_u: except mine was at Performance Plus.

 

[stephen newberg]

Skye, reading #4 that you have listed would say to me that taking out the resonator is a definate killer for your warranty.

pax, smn

 

[Vroom]

Yeah, it seems like the resonator would fit under those limitations. But those are some pretty general items... "Modifications" - that could include anything...

 

[Mr Anonymous]

It's a shame that so many people have to live in fear of false rumors about what can supposedly void a warranty. I still know people who insist that they have to take their car to the dealer to get their oil changed because of the same kind of misinformation in this thread. It really is a shame.

The simple fact is this: car dealers, repair facilities, warranty companies, etc. are all in business to make money. Turning you away for warranty claims doesn't make them money. Most Ford dealers make the majority of their service department profits in flat-rate warranty repairs paid for by FoMoCo. Private garages, if they know that a warranty company is available to pay for the repairs, are going to make sure that all the I's are dotted and T's crossed to ensure payment for the warranty work.

Private warranty companies know their obligations under Moss-Magnusson. If they were really as bad at frivolously denying claims as some here would have you believe, do you really think they would still be in business? Do you think they would have any kind of acceptable BBB rating? Definitely not.

Do warranty claims sometimes get denied? They sure do, but the frequency is far less than you might be led to believe. And, despite what someone mentioned, you rarely have to go to court to sue anyone over a warranty claim denial. All of the parties involved consider their reputation an important part of their business. Have you ever bought a new car and been badgered about completing the customer satisfaction survey with all high marks when it arrives? Have you ever received a comment card after having service performed? Reputation matters. Between the BBB, and local and state consumer protection agencies (some of which have entire departments assigned to resolving disputes with warranty companies, car dealers, and repair facilities), there are several resources available to check both the reputation of any of these parties before doing business with them, as well as to help resolve disputes.

Honestly, if you're that worried, cancel the warranty and then mod your car till your heart's content.