[Z06] Tune and warranty?
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Tune and warranty?
I bought my Z06 used 18k miles. Car had Kooks long tube headers installed before i bought it.
As soon as i could i went to the local Chevy dealership and purchased a extended warranty.
Before the warranty was issued i had there Corvette specialist go over the car and make shore that nothing would void the warranty. They were informed about the headers before the inspection.
Now from reading a few post here i am hearing that headers = tune & tune= no warranty.
How would Chevrolet know if there was a tune & how would they miss it during the inspection?
As soon as i could i went to the local Chevy dealership and purchased a extended warranty.
Before the warranty was issued i had there Corvette specialist go over the car and make shore that nothing would void the warranty. They were informed about the headers before the inspection.
Now from reading a few post here i am hearing that headers = tune & tune= no warranty.
How would Chevrolet know if there was a tune & how would they miss it during the inspection?
#2
Drifting
A dealership won't just assume you have a tune if you have headers. They'll pull dates and verify the tune.
However, a set of headers may be considered a modification by whatever warranty you bought. Just make sure to bring it in to a friendly dealership (aka the one you bought the warranty from) if you ever drop a valve!
However, a set of headers may be considered a modification by whatever warranty you bought. Just make sure to bring it in to a friendly dealership (aka the one you bought the warranty from) if you ever drop a valve!
#3
Advanced
Thread Starter
#5
A dealership won't just assume you have a tune if you have headers. They'll pull dates and verify the tune.
However, a set of headers may be considered a modification by whatever warranty you bought. Just make sure to bring it in to a friendly dealership (aka the one you bought the warranty from) if you ever drop a valve!
However, a set of headers may be considered a modification by whatever warranty you bought. Just make sure to bring it in to a friendly dealership (aka the one you bought the warranty from) if you ever drop a valve!
#7
Safety Car
They can plug a tech2 and know almost immediately if it has a tune. If you had the original tune (original to the car not just any stock gm z06 tune) you can flash it back and then the tech2 would not see anything wrong. I don't believe there is a flash counter either, but, if the ECM was sent out to gm, the software engineers could figure it out...
So basically, if you bought the car and it is tuned and you don't have that stock file your gm power train warranty is no more.
So basically, if you bought the car and it is tuned and you don't have that stock file your gm power train warranty is no more.
#8
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Sep 2013
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It is very easy to find out what you have done to and with your vehicle both externally and internally. They will know if you have been racing and modifying.
With that being said it never hurts to have a Service manager on your side. A little politicking never hurt anyone, maybe a nice bottle of his favorite??
With that being said it never hurts to have a Service manager on your side. A little politicking never hurt anyone, maybe a nice bottle of his favorite??
Last edited by American Heritage; 11-03-2013 at 05:08 PM. Reason: wording
#9
Safety Car
I imagine you have two problems. Anything engine related would be not covered because of the headers....more power=more stress. Anything engine related also would not be covered due to the tune.....more power and unknown parameters=unknown stresses.
Now if your radio quit working, I imagine that would be covered, but that is most likely not why you bought the warranty.
Now if your radio quit working, I imagine that would be covered, but that is most likely not why you bought the warranty.
#10
Melting Slicks
A dealership won't just assume you have a tune if you have headers. They'll pull dates and verify the tune.
However, a set of headers may be considered a modification by whatever warranty you bought. Just make sure to bring it in to a friendly dealership (aka the one you bought the warranty from) if you ever drop a valve!
However, a set of headers may be considered a modification by whatever warranty you bought. Just make sure to bring it in to a friendly dealership (aka the one you bought the warranty from) if you ever drop a valve!
Dealers are powerless. If you drop a valve and blow your motor they will send someone out to inspect the car. If it has headers your warranty claim can and most likely will be denied. Problems less severe can be "overlooked" if you are a nice guy about it. The dealers are in the business of making money. They would rather do the repair than send you on your way.
#12
Advanced
Thread Starter
If this is all true, how can they sale me a warranty that is already voided? They where shown the headers before the Warranty was purchased.
#13
Drifting
The guy that sold you that warranty probably lies more times a day than he blinks.
I think what pkincy said is somewhat true. If the warranty sends out an inspector they'll make sure that it's not discovered.
Either way, I'm wouldn't bet on the inspector knowing what the OEM headers look like. When I had my heads replaced by the warranty, the guy thought that I had modified my engine by stroking it to 7.0L instead of the factory 6.2!! I laughed my *** off when they told me that.
#16
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Thread Starter
#17
Team Owner
If you already spent money for warranty, I'd go ahead and get a refund on that. Save the money or spend it on more mods. If you already have a tune and headers, why worry about having warranty issues later on down the road if you need it. I personally wouldn't depend on warranties unless the engine/powertrain was 100% stock.
With that said, I have personaly witnessed a guy denied warranty on wiped cam lobes because of a tune, then have personally seen a guy who has a supercharged, cam, headers LS3...blew up the motor and gets a complete new LS3 under warranty.
With that said, I have personaly witnessed a guy denied warranty on wiped cam lobes because of a tune, then have personally seen a guy who has a supercharged, cam, headers LS3...blew up the motor and gets a complete new LS3 under warranty.
#18
Race Director
Now to learn whether the dealer mans-up, accepts they made an error assuming everything you've related is factual.
Or they could *claim* tune was stock at time-of-sale, and, you changed it. While its been my experience most dealers are trustworthy, some are scoundrels.
Good luck OP, hope they're an upright organization & do you right.
Be sure to post how this is handled after the dust settles.
#20
Race Director