WRX Mods and Warranty

[Chauncey Gardener]

I've been told that there is a chip that will go on the (2003) WRX that
will boost its power without violating its warranty. Is this true?

I've been looking at the Vishnu systems but wondering if I will have to
wait until my warranty period is over before I start doing any serious
messing around.

Is there any way I get get a few extra HP without causing warranty
problems?

Thanks...

 

[David & Caroline]

Generally speaking, if anything directly associated with or impacted by a
modified/non-oem part fails, Subaru can deny your warranty - so altering
engine management is a sure-fire way to get yourself in trouble as far as
that goes.

In practice, it really depends on the dealership itself, and their tolerance
to mods.

Reasonably "safe" mods are things like silicone intercooler hoses,
aftermarket mufflers, etc. (basically, things which really don't get you
much power) - things like an aftermareket up-pipe or downpipe will net more
improvements, but may cause problems warranty-wise... it really depends -
the best thing to do is ask the service department where you would have your
car worked on what they think.

 

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
Just to be on the safe side, serious mod should be done after warranty
expires.
Tony

 

[Jerry and Bea]

I've been told that there is a chip that will go on the (2003) WRX that
will boost its power without violating its warranty. Is this true?

I've been looking at the Vishnu systems but wondering if I will have to
wait until my warranty period is over before I start doing any serious
messing around.

Is there any way I get get a few extra HP without causing warranty
problems?

Thanks...

Cobb Tuning can reflash your cars computer for more horsepower and the
dealership shouldn't be able to detect it. But if they did, I would guess
they would not honor your warranty. http://www.cobbtuning.com/

 

[Scooby Rex]

If you are worried about a reflash and warranty, get an used ECU and
have a company reflash it. Install the old if you have an engine
warranty issue. You have to buy the year(trans type ?) for your car.
03 car - 03 ECU.

 

[David Betts]

If you are worried about a reflash and warranty, get an used ECU and
have a company reflash it. Install the old if you have an engine
warranty issue.

There is a word for this. It is called fraud. If you install a
non-approved chip and blow your engine, why should Subaru pay for it?

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

 

[PeterD]

It's not fraud if the mod didn't cause the fault

The dealer where i USED to get my suby serviced was telling me that he was
going to refuse a warranty claim on a customers gearbox because he had a new
muffler put in!! Not a full exhaust, but a rear muffler. He went on to say
that it changes the back-pressure of the whole system, so it produced too
much power and blew the transmission!!!

I don't know too much about cars, but it seems like rubbish to me. I do know
that i'm not servicing with him anymore.

 

[David Betts]

It's not fraud if the mod didn't cause the fault

....and just how do you prove that? If you modify the power system of a
car with non-factory-approved parts - and that includes the exhaust
and intake systems - then you are bound to invalidate your mechanical
warranty. Either don't modify; fit factory-approved modifications; or
live with it. Simple choice. No excuse here for trying to con people.
(And don't blame the dealers - manufacturers set the terms of the
warranty *and* pay for the warranty work to be carried out. If you
don't think your dealer is acting properly on a warranty claim, go
over his head.)

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Ric W]

Are you in the Detroit, Michigan area? That sounds exactly like the dealership
where I bought mine! Haven't done any mods yet, but if (once) I do, I'll
probably be going to another dealership across town, where they're more
performance minded, and much better about their interpretation of the warranty
rules.

Ric

It's not fraud if the mod didn't cause the fault

The dealer where i USED to get my suby serviced was telling me that he was
going to refuse a warranty claim on a customers gearbox because he had a new
muffler put in!! Not a full exhaust, but a rear muffler. He went on to say
that it changes the back-pressure of the whole system, so it produced too
much power and blew the transmission!!!

I don't know too much about cars, but it seems like rubbish to me. I do know
that i'm not servicing with him anymore.

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[PeterD]

No, i'm in Sydney Australia

--
regards

PeterD

Are you in the Detroit, Michigan area? That sounds exactly like the dealership
where I bought mine! Haven't done any mods yet, but if (once) I do, I'll
probably be going to another dealership across town, where they're more
performance minded, and much better about their interpretation of the warranty
rules.

Ric


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Remove the zz from my email address to reply,
or it ain't gonna work.

*************************************************************

 

[PeterD]

I understand that, and it makes perfect sense.

But I was talking about a refusal to honor warranty because the guy changed
his muffler. No-one is trying to con anyone here, it's pretty obvious the
muffler was changed. Are you suggesting that this mod will dramatically
increase the power output, enough to ruin a transmission?

It's not my problem, it wasn't my car. But that comment (and the way it was
said) has me looking elsewhere to service my suby.

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm thinking the safe thing to do is call the dealership and ask them
about what effect a retuned ECU would have on the warranty. I had
heard- from a former Subaru salesman- that there was one available that
would not void the warranty.

I would also assume that people like Cobb Tuning who are doing these
things have reason to think they are safe for the vehicle; it might
make sense to talk to them, too.

Has anyone heard of someone having trouble with any of the more common
modifications? Any reason to believe that a retuned ECU could cause
serious problems?

Thanks again...

 

[WRXtreme]

My dealer is very "performance minded", after a catless exhaust was
installed, they checked my CEL that kept coming on and replaced the O2
sensor under warranty even though I regularly run 110 octane (RON/MON)
leaded fuel in my car at the track. They also helped in tuning my UTEC and
watched as I modded my intake silencer in their bay before they assisted in
the tuning. I had them do fuel injector upgrades for me as well as fuel
rails and a Supra fuel pump. I will probably have them do a once over once
I get around to installing my 20G turbo and top mount. Basically, they are
great to work with and have a very good working knowledge of the automobile
and in determining what will/won't affect things should something go wrong.