Great advise... Warrtalon for President!

 

I am happy with stock thank you, but, I like reading what you mod happy guys do. I have searched this and remember seeing a response being specific on what would and wouldn't void your warranty. I may get the mod bug one day but do like having the warranty in tact. Now I know some are going to say Nothing and others are going to say their dealer is cool. I'll start with what I think would be good starts that would not effect warranty.

Exhaust-as long as you use original mounting brackets (correct?)
Air filter
spark plugs
wheels and tires (no spacers)
clutch (not under warranty anyway)

I know this is not much, which is why I asked. Flame away if you feel the need, but I know some of you know other things that would get a few hp and not come close to effecting warranty. I also read someone stating the IX BOV is much better. Wondering if it would be a direct replacemnt for the VIII (and or beneficial). So burn me or learn me, your choice

 

Once you mod your car you wont have to be concern about your warranty .
It really depends on the dealership, few of them can be mod friendly and most of them will deny warranty claim even if you only have a dead bug on your windshield . I suggest ask your dealership and do a quick search for "BR330 or BR350".

 

The clutch itself is not under warrantee, but if your tranny or transfer case blew, they could refuse a warrantee claim if you had installed an aftermarket clutch. A heavy clutch with a stronger pressure plate will transfer power much quicker than the stocker, and can cause more strain on the rest of the drivetrain. So if you wanted an aftermarket clutch, I'd recommend going with the RRE no-name rather than getting a pretty yellow or purple-colored one that screams, "I'M AFTERMARKET!"

Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, it states that basically a dealership will have to prove that the aftermarket part you installed caused the failure that you are requesting a warrantee claim for. So they can't deny you a claim to fix your fading carbon-fiber wing just because you have a gt-35 under the hood.

Best thing to do... keep all you original parts. That way, if something bad happens, you can always return the car to stock if need be. I'm assuming that you won't be getting cams and a bigger turbo based off your question, so all we're really talking about here is bolt-ons anyway.

 

Still wishing I had researched a litlle more on this site before I got my 05. Not that I am unhappy at all, but certainly would have asked about the BR330 then! Again, I am happy with stock, but I am curious to what mods would be dfficult to throw a warranty card at you. If others add, please list the approx gains from what you list.

 

I've asked this before, but can you buy a spare ECU, have it flashed and then keep the original for warranty purposes? I know you can do that with Subaru's. I know of one guy who used his Subaru bucks ( from a Subaru credit card) to "buy" a new ECU which he dropped in his WRX. Then he had it flashed. Still has the original ECU for any warranty claims.

 

I think you can tint your windows without them voiding your warranty... Maybe....

 

Thought about the clutch right after the post. Thanks for the Magnuson-Moss Act reminder. I'm sure with that in mind you could argue several other mods would not quesiton the warranty. Just like getting you gurus to throw out ones that would be hard to question without having to play a jailhouse lawyer.

 

I would think a aftermarket intercooler would not affect the warranty its the safest why to get horse power and its good for your vehicle.

 

Start with Boost gauge and turbo timer, not mods but more on safety.

 

Where do you get this stuff? Safest way to get horsepower and is good for your vehicle? That makes no sense...

Hillbilly, I answer this for people all the time:

- Cat-back exhaust (nothing from the cat forward)
- panel filter
- flash w/boost control (can technically be detected on an 05, but it's not easy and not likely)
- MBC (must be willing to uninstall each time before going to dealer)
- BOV (easy to uninstall in 5mins, plus if you get the JDM MR DV, that's what comes stock on IXs, so they can't feasibly knock you on that - only get with increase in boost)

That's all I would mess with. You can also do an SAFC if you prefer, because that can be unplugged in literally 2 minutes, but it's a bit more complicated when having to worry about a wideband O2 and pocketlogger, so I don't suggest it.

 

Well I'm not completely modless, I did get a boost gauge (OEM although I had them move the boost gauge to far left, didn't do radio swap), I have thought about a turbo timer, but, don't mind using the manual one .

 

LICP, drop-in, restrictor pill removal from clutch line, SS brake lines, exhaust, if you had an 03-04 you could do a flash (in 05 they are detectable, but you could always re-flash it back to stock easy enough), don't forget that the key to acceleration is power to weight, so by getting rid of the miracle-gro bags in the trunk and whatever else you feel like you don't need, you'll increase the acceleration & handling. MBC is easy enough to hide and remove, and that can yield some decent gains. Just remember that with these cars, most small mods that you do will still end up needing a tune. Which involves more of the warrantee being voided. Good luck... I say take a road driving class and learn the car first. There's more to this car than going fast in a straight line.

 

Thanks, was I correct about having to use original mounting brackets for exhaust upgrade (someone posted before)?

Panel filter- You are refering to a drop in air filter? I would assume if someone stuck to these two mods, you could get about 10-20hp. Would you tend to agree. I appreciate your other contributions, someday the mod bug may get me.

 

Yeah, 10-15whp from the cat-back and 3-4whp from the drop-in filter. "Panel" filter refers to it looking like a panel...same thing.

I don't know anything about the original mounting brackets, but it shouldn't be an issue. My exhaust is pretty standard and uses the factory mounting brackets. I think most of them do...