Hello All,
I got my Evo IX SE couple of months back. It has close to 4000 miles on it. I'm planning to take it to the dealer for service around 5000 miles. Since I'm a newbie I want some advice from you guys. Here is what I got.

The first owner had done some modifications like ECU Flash, Downpipe, TI exhaust, Boost controller & boost gauge. Right now since it doesn't have a Catalytic converter, I have the "Service Engine soon" light. So should I take it to a Muffler place or Performance tuner shop (atleast they won't screw up anything). Since I had bad experience with Sear's when changing to Winter tires (rims were scratched, steering wheel shakes when I apply brakes above 60miles/hr, which never happened before changing the tires). Since changing tires is a common service, I thought any shop would do it, but lesson learnt the hard way.

The first owner suggested me to take off the boost gauge and controller and put in the stock exhaust and catalytic converter, before taking it to the dealer. He suggested if I want to be on the safer side, I can also flash the ECU back to stock, when taking the car to the dealer, for warranty claims. But do I have to do all of the above even for the first regular service at 5000 miles.

Also I don't want to cheat the dealer for any warranty claims (if something goes wrong), due to the modifications in my car. But at the same time I don't want the dealer to reject my warranty claim, for anything unrelated to my modifications. Either way I also want to put back the catalytic converter.

Since I'm a newbie I request you experts to advice on these things and also the steering wheel shake when applying brakes.

Best Regards,
Sukri.

 

As long as the modifications aren't the cause of the failure you should be fine. but with those mods don't expect to get any engine/tranny warrantied They will be more likely to say the failure was due to abuse because of you "racing modifications"
You can take the car to meineke or midas for a cat, its a bolt in, they should have flanges that will match up. Then you can go to no cat for race days, this is what I plan on doing. No cat is pretty damn loud.

 

why dont you just perform your 5k service your self, not that hard and itll save you the hassle of changing those things for a service you really can do your self.

 

yeah to have them check it out for the steering wheel shaking should have no effect on wether or not you have a cat or not. Leave the boost gauge, that does nothing for performance but is good to know your boost so leave it on.

but like said above meineke should get you a cat no problem........or you can order a highflow cat if you want that will bolt up to the TI. Flashing it is up to you. you could flash it back to stock with little or no problem.....i didnt get a flash until i had a little more mods than that.......

 

Thanks a lot guys. But if I service myself and later say after 9000 miles something goes wrong, will the dealer reject my reasonble claim, saying that it could have been avoided if I had serviced at 5000 miles, by them (or any dealer). Also from what you guys have suggested I'm going to put back the stock cat which I have, in meineke and then remove the boost controller and leave the rest (whichever is applicable) and take it to the dealer for service.

Once again I appreciate your time.

Regards,
Sukri.

 

I don't think the dealer can void the warranty if you let someone else change the oil. Now, if the oil isn't changed at all or if the incorrect oil is used they could probably void a claim for engine damage. A simply oil test could prove either case if it came to that.

 

no because its still under warranty, unless they tell you other wise.

 

Have another shop change the oil, and make sure the repair order lists the date/miles/type of oil. Unless you know someone at the dealer and have something worked out, DO NOT go to the dealer with the way your car is set up. They could void your powertrain warranty while chainging your oil.

 

you need papers

 

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