I had an opportunity to get a 2002 convertible at a very good price (GMS), and get the low financing (2.9% for 5 years)... the only catch was I had to take one off the lot. Although I wanted a Magnetic Red 6-speed, the closest I could get was a Silver automatic. The color didn't affect the power, but the A4, with 2.73 axle, sure does! :cry

I was going to put in a 3.15 rear end, but found that would not only NOT be covered by my GMPP, anything touching it may be not covered, if a link could be made to it. I was hoping that since it was a factory option and the factory parts would be installed by an authorized dealer that it would be covered. A GMPP supervisor said they go by the VIN: if non-VIN-specified parts are found, they're not covered and are considered "after market". I want to keep future costs down and the GMPP is important to me.

I've got a Blackwing coming this week, which should give me no problems with the warranty since I can easily convert back to stock.

I'm not interested in going to the track, but I would like a little more "oomph!" when desired. What are other options available, that wouldn't void my warranty?

I was looking at getting a cross-pipe, because the philosophy made sense, and I heard I could install it myself. I looked under the car today and although the back end of the pipes bolt onto the muffler, the front ends seem to go right into the cats with no bands or clamps to undo. :(

I was hoping to get a better sound and a liitle extra torque from the cross-pipe... am I right?

Other suggestions?

Thanks, Bill

 

The Blackwing will help your power some, I would get the 3.42 gear if making a change, I wish I had one! Check Vette Doctors web site on the side they sell and install these for around $2K money well spent! Your warranty should be fine, they won't know you've changed gears anyway! Even if they found out it should only affect any work being done on the axle housing only. Good Luck! :yesnod:

 

If most of us here balked at "upgrading" our cars this would be a very boring forum. :lol:

A rear gear swap using a GM part could conceivably void the warranty of affected parts, but only those parts who's failure could be directly attributed to the "unauthorized" part. There are lots of dealers who will give you grief about aftermarket components, but then, there are many who won't. Depends on the dealer and their attitude towards mods.

It would be a shame if you felt you couldn't enjoy your car to it's fullest because you want better performance out of it. It comes down to whether you are willing to take the risk if you're going to be taking your car to a mod-unfriendly dealer for service. Many here, myself included, are taking that risk or have resigned themselves to the fact that substantial parts of the car won't be covered or have hooked up with a good dealer willing to work with them.

The BlackWing is a no-brainer. Put it in and enjoy it's benefits. If you have to go to the dealer, spend a few minutes swapping the stock intake back in before you go.

The x-pipe is different. You have to cut the pipes right behind the cats to install it, using band or U-clamps to secure it. Below is a pic of my pipes cut off for the x-pipe I had on before I yanked the entire exhaust to put my headers in. :D :cheers:




[Modified by Patches, 3:48 PM 8/4/2002]

 

I personally don't think you're going to get much "oomph" from the cross-pipe---it's mostly to even out the sound, especially if you install Andy's A&A exhaust mod or something similar. Also, it took two guys at the muffler shop to install it because of the need to have it on a hoist and move the pipes around to get them adjusted right. It's not an easy one-person job.

 

Thanks for the replies.... as I gain more experience I'll likely be adding more. :D

Bill