Mods/Upgrades in reference to warranty

[GG s550 GT]

I'm relatively new to modding, upgrading, and customizing a car. Also, this will be my first brand new vehicle as well. Got a 2015 5.0 with the performance pack on order. I want to make it my own as far as looks and engine upgrades but I do not want to do anything to void the warranty at least for the first few years.

So my question is, what kind of engine upgrades or performance upgrades can I get away with without voiding warranty?

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[Trackaholic]

I think it is a very gray area.

Your relationship with the dealer probably has a very significant bearing on successful powertrain warranty claims on a vehicle with engine mods.

I personally would probably wait until the warranty expires before touching the engine. Or at least I'd wait for maybe a year or two, or 20,000 miles or so just to get some time on the engine and make sure it is running well. By then I'd be pretty sure of how reliable it is, and how likely a problem would be to develop.

Even things like a cold air intake or a tune (especially a tune) can cause issues as they both lead to the potential to run lean which can destroy an engine very quickly.

Exhaust mods I wouldn't worry too much about and would therefore be pretty comfortable changing that relatively soon.

Depending on what you are going for, you could start with the cosmetic stuff (valve covers, engine covers, etc.) to dress up the engine bay and other areas while you get some time with the stock engine and decide where to go with it.

That's the other thing to consider. Mods typically should be planned to work well with each other and should address specific concerns. Driving the car stock for a time will give you a chance to figure out what you want to change. That will also give the aftermarket some time to stabilize, which can be nice because you get to learn from the mistakes of the early adopters.

Just food for thought.

-T

 

[stilesg57]

Quite frankly, if you value and/or depend on your warranty, don't mod your car. Price of admission to mod world is often/usually a denied warranty claim if anything goes wrong.

 

[908ssp]

Any and all mods to the engine that don't cancel your warranty are a waste of time and money. People constantly fool themselves into thinking they can feel a 5 or 15 hp increase in power they can't. If you can't afford to void the warranty don't do anything except maybe exhaust and that is for noise not performance. If you can afford to void your warranty than super charge and get 150 hp that you can feel.

 

[GG s550 GT]

Thanks for all the info. I think 435hp with the PP should be enough car for me for a while. Some cosmetics here and there and exhaust sounds like the way to go.

Now on the exhaust note, what are yalls thoughts on cat back vs axel back for the 5.0? Im wondering as far as do any actually increase hp or no and which sounds best

 

[Tim Hilliard]

I think it is a very gray area.

Your relationship with the dealer probably has a very significant bearing on successful powertrain warranty claims on a vehicle with engine mods.

I personally would probably wait until the warranty expires before touching the engine. Or at least I'd wait for maybe a year or two, or 20,000 miles or so just to get some time on the engine and make sure it is running well. By then I'd be pretty sure of how reliable it is, and how likely a problem would be to develop.

Even things like a cold air intake or a tune (especially a tune) can cause issues as they both lead to the potential to run lean which can destroy an engine very quickly.

Exhaust mods I wouldn't worry too much about and would therefore be pretty comfortable changing that relatively soon.

Depending on what you are going for, you could start with the cosmetic stuff (valve covers, engine covers, etc.) to dress up the engine bay and other areas while you get some time with the stock engine and decide where to go with it.

That's the other thing to consider. Mods typically should be planned to work well with each other and should address specific concerns. Driving the car stock for a time will give you a chance to figure out what you want to change. That will also give the aftermarket some time to stabilize, which can be nice because you get to learn from the mistakes of the early adopters.

Just food for thought.

-T

^^^This. The dealer can be your biggest asset or biggest enemy. I plan on track daying mine, technically everything is not covered under warranty due to the vehicle being used outside of it's designed purpose. It can be considered abuse - not under warranty. Many dealers, especially ones who sell performance parts, modify cars etc are usually a safe bet but always remember that warranties are subjective and relationships are a huge part of it.

I wouldn't sweat basic stuff even tuners, assuming it's not a custom tune that melt's holes in your pistons. Remember Ford builds and sells the same products, and all modifications have to be proven to have caused/contributed to the failure. Installing a K&N replacement filter and your engine spits a rod out the side- you won't be paying for the engine. Install a K&N and load the filter up with oil, contaminate your MAF, continue to drive it until the motor melts to the ground- you're very possibly buying a new motor.

Basically don't be a moron, don't test out your line lock in the first 100 miles until the tires have the air showing then expect a dealer to bend over backwards when your car has an early clutch failure. Ford already knows the % of components that will cause warranty claims, they build cars for a living, some leeway may exist on a new model for the first year until they have accurate real world numbers, but they know what they will see for the most part.

 

[stilesg57]

Axle-backs are for sound. Any hp increase is minimal and on a 400+hp car you'll see more variation between runs than the supposed mufflers provide. Not that cat backs do much more either, frankly. NA tuning is basically an uphill battle to begin with, and the gains get smaller the further away you get from the cylinders pretty quickly (hence the real NA power mods are things like intake manifolds, LT headers, cams, etc.). Frankly 435hp is just about absurd in a street car; drive it for a good long while before you think you need an increase. And if you still want a bump, the ol' poor man's supercharger (shorter rear gears) is probably your best bang for the buck.

 

[wproctor411]

A set of axel backs can save about 20lbs but won't add power, maybe 1 HP, and I wouldn't do much else if you want the warranty. Maybe spend the cash on some lighter wheels and 2-piece rotors. Buy the FRPP Procal when it comes around for the 15'. Have dealer install. It doesn't hurt to get to know the dealer you buy from and have them install the parts.

 

[DarkSubRosa]

Any and all mods to the engine that don't cancel your warranty are a waste of time and money. People constantly fool themselves into thinking they can feel a 5 or 15 hp increase in power they can't. If you can't afford to void the warranty don't do anything except maybe exhaust and that is for noise not performance. If you can afford to void your warranty than super charge and get 150 hp that you can feel.

...or get a supercharger that comes with a warranty.

 

[scottpe]

...or get a supercharger that comes with a warranty.

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