Long Tube Headers void any warranty?
04-06-2011, 01:49 AM
#21
Racer
If you read your warranty, and you should. You will find that almost any modification can affect your warranty, even changing tire size. If you change anything on the car and the dealer feels it contributed to a failure, the dealer may try to void that part of the warranty, or not. It would be up to you to prove it did not contribute to the failure.
On major repairs, the dealer is required to involve the regional GM rep before starting a repair. So no matter what the dealer tells you, it may be up the regional rep to decide if the repair is covered.
If you add headers and remove or even move the oem cats, and drive the car on the road, you are in violation of federal law. Most legitimate shops will not add long tube headers and move the cats on a street car. The penalty is loss of their shop license and a $20k fine. If you look at any site selling long tube headers, most will state for off road use only.
Add any headers and you will more than likely get a Check Engine Light. This will require a new ECM/TCM tune. In fact, you will need a new tune to get the benefits of any headers. Change the stock tune and you will, according to the written GM warranty, void the engine and transmission warranty without question.
Once you are denied a warranty claim because of modification, it is entered into the GM system and every dealer will know you have modded your car from then on.
If you want to play, be prepared to pay. If the warranty is important to you, leave it stock. Then there is no question. If your need for speed is so great, mod away and pay for anything that may happen because of it.
On major repairs, the dealer is required to involve the regional GM rep before starting a repair. So no matter what the dealer tells you, it may be up the regional rep to decide if the repair is covered.
If you add headers and remove or even move the oem cats, and drive the car on the road, you are in violation of federal law. Most legitimate shops will not add long tube headers and move the cats on a street car. The penalty is loss of their shop license and a $20k fine. If you look at any site selling long tube headers, most will state for off road use only.
Add any headers and you will more than likely get a Check Engine Light. This will require a new ECM/TCM tune. In fact, you will need a new tune to get the benefits of any headers. Change the stock tune and you will, according to the written GM warranty, void the engine and transmission warranty without question.
Once you are denied a warranty claim because of modification, it is entered into the GM system and every dealer will know you have modded your car from then on.
If you want to play, be prepared to pay. If the warranty is important to you, leave it stock. Then there is no question. If your need for speed is so great, mod away and pay for anything that may happen because of it.
04-06-2011, 09:16 AM
#22
04-06-2011, 09:19 AM
#23
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I have never heard of someone voiding a powertrain warranty for a longtube header.
Once you get TUNED for those headers that is a different story though. Simply having them shouldn't void it.
Most people saying "yes" don't really know.
The part you replace will not be covered, but your entire warranty should not be voided.
Once you get TUNED for those headers that is a different story though. Simply having them shouldn't void it.
Most people saying "yes" don't really know.
The part you replace will not be covered, but your entire warranty should not be voided.
04-06-2011, 10:45 AM
#24
Racer
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To add even more fun in here. I saw a mild road race Z06 built by a big name shop (withheld) in a metro Atlanta dealer for "Oil consumption issues". They are friends with the owner and were still working on the car even though it was cammed and raced.
Again, your fate is in the hands of the Service Manager who can void your powertrain warranty or tell you to try a different dealer that may be more flexible.
Again, your fate is in the hands of the Service Manager who can void your powertrain warranty or tell you to try a different dealer that may be more flexible.
04-06-2011, 12:31 PM
#25
Le Mans Master
I hope I'm wrong,but it may just be a matter of time before the wrong somebody stumbles upon it and the Feds put a serious hurting on them.
04-06-2011, 12:37 PM
#26
Race Director
I wouldn't install headers without a tune and I won't install a tune as long as I have the warranty. OP - Check your state emission laws and if you have a mechanic that will pass it with them. As mentioned they are not legal except for off-road. Personally with the lack of performance gain without a tune headers are not a good financial decision. Not much bang for the buck.
04-10-2011, 08:20 PM
#28
Melting Slicks
I asked this very question to the service mgr at my dealer.
He said, quote; "You can do whatever you want as long as it doesn't alter any of the control modules. Other than that, go nuts."
In other words, you can do anything you want, as long as the tune stays stock.
Headers, CAI, exhaust, etc....is all okay. BUT you won't get near the performance you would with those same items all tuned together.
He said, quote; "You can do whatever you want as long as it doesn't alter any of the control modules. Other than that, go nuts."
In other words, you can do anything you want, as long as the tune stays stock.
Headers, CAI, exhaust, etc....is all okay. BUT you won't get near the performance you would with those same items all tuned together.
04-10-2011, 11:28 PM
#31
Le Mans Master
04-11-2011, 12:04 AM
#32
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Personally I'd be able to live with just the sound improvement without the hp that a tune would add, but I keep reading that a "check engine" light is going to come on. In other words, it seems, you can't just install LPs alone or else you're going to unavoidably have problems. True?
04-11-2011, 01:13 AM
#33
Le Mans Master
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I had headers installed by a dealer. There was no problem with the warranty but like others said some service managers may treat them differently. I doubt the service manger would even know if a car had headers since they're not the one doing the work.
I have also never had any problems with inspections. The mechanics could care less where the cats are located as long as they are installed. Where I used to live with obdII emissions inspections cats didn't matter as long as there were no codes.
I have also never had any problems with inspections. The mechanics could care less where the cats are located as long as they are installed. Where I used to live with obdII emissions inspections cats didn't matter as long as there were no codes.
04-11-2011, 01:43 AM
#35
Le Mans Master
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I had headers installed by a dealer. There was no problem with the warranty but like others said some service managers may treat them differently. I doubt the service manger would even know if a car had headers since they're not the one doing the work.
I have also never had any problems with inspections. The mechanics could care less where the cats are located as long as they are installed. Where I used to live with obdII emissions inspections cats didn't matter as long as there were no codes.
I have also never had any problems with inspections. The mechanics could care less where the cats are located as long as they are installed. Where I used to live with obdII emissions inspections cats didn't matter as long as there were no codes.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf
04-11-2011, 09:39 AM
#36
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Wow. The fine for the owner is only $2,500.00 but for the dealer it is $25,000.00. I am surprised they did this.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf
04-11-2011, 11:05 AM
#37
Le Mans Master
04-11-2011, 11:18 AM
#38
Race Director
The OP is asking will they void the warranty, and if you read the language in the warranty, the simple answer is YES. You could get lucky and get a GM rep that is more flexible or a dealer who will "work" with you on a problem, but chances are against that.
If you read your warranty, and you should. You will find that almost any modification can affect your warranty, even changing tire size. If you change anything on the car and the dealer feels it contributed to a failure, the dealer may try to void that part of the warranty, or not. It would be up to you to prove it did not contribute to the failure.
On major repairs, the dealer is required to involve the regional GM rep before starting a repair. So no matter what the dealer tells you, it may be up the regional rep to decide if the repair is covered.
If you add headers and remove or even move the oem cats, and drive the car on the road, you are in violation of federal law. Most legitimate shops will not add long tube headers and move the cats on a street car. The penalty is loss of their shop license and a $20k fine. If you look at any site selling long tube headers, most will state for off road use only.
Add any headers and you will more than likely get a Check Engine Light. This will require a new ECM/TCM tune. In fact, you will need a new tune to get the benefits of any headers. Change the stock tune and you will, according to the written GM warranty, void the engine and transmission warranty without question.
Once you are denied a warranty claim because of modification, it is entered into the GM system and every dealer will know you have modded your car from then on.
If you want to play, be prepared to pay. If the warranty is important to you, leave it stock. Then there is no question. If your need for speed is so great, mod away and pay for anything that may happen because of it.
On major repairs, the dealer is required to involve the regional GM rep before starting a repair. So no matter what the dealer tells you, it may be up the regional rep to decide if the repair is covered.
If you add headers and remove or even move the oem cats, and drive the car on the road, you are in violation of federal law. Most legitimate shops will not add long tube headers and move the cats on a street car. The penalty is loss of their shop license and a $20k fine. If you look at any site selling long tube headers, most will state for off road use only.
Add any headers and you will more than likely get a Check Engine Light. This will require a new ECM/TCM tune. In fact, you will need a new tune to get the benefits of any headers. Change the stock tune and you will, according to the written GM warranty, void the engine and transmission warranty without question.
Once you are denied a warranty claim because of modification, it is entered into the GM system and every dealer will know you have modded your car from then on.
If you want to play, be prepared to pay. If the warranty is important to you, leave it stock. Then there is no question. If your need for speed is so great, mod away and pay for anything that may happen because of it.
Good post and that pretty much sums it up. It's all about risk, and I love headers myself, and plan to put them on my Z soon, but I am fully aware of all of the above, and if I have a problem will not be expecting any help from anyone.
04-11-2011, 11:30 AM
#39
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Of course speed shops, dealerships, muffler shops, and anyone who you are willing to pay would put headers on your car.
I was responding to the post that EDinPA made sounding surprised that a dealership would install them with the potential EPA fines.
Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; 04-11-2011 at 11:33 AM.
04-11-2011, 11:32 AM
#40
Same thing I was thinking. Imagine it.....approx 16% bump in hp and NO chance of voiding the warranty AND as a bonus the Z06 looks just like a GS!