Muffler Delete, void warranty ?

[Dr.Manhattan]

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This may come across as a stupid question, but I have been getting some pretty stupid answers. Been looking at going with an easy muffler delete on my GM vehicle. I have some friends with the same car, and paying $1200 + for a Borla exhaust kit gives roughly the same performance and sound as a straight muffler delete and stainless steel additional..... and it cost roughly $150.

However in doing so, I contacted my local GM dealership, who I go to for general maintenance and warranty check ups. I ran this question by them, whether or not it voids the warranty, and my answer was " Hmm, not too sure ". Well, that's lovely. I looked over the information with the warranty and it doesn't go over much at all on the topic, I guess they assume it's pretty obvious. ( Not exactly Super Charging the engine here ) - So I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with doing this mod and getting into the warranty side of things. I was going to call a few other dealerships, but getting conflicting answers is a pain in the ***, as I hear every dealership can be different.

 

[OpenGambit]

I have actually written motor vehicle warranties and I can tell you that commonly- a modified part will void the warranty on that part and anything else that fails due to that modification.

 

[D23]

It doesn't sound like you have a mod friendly dealership. What OG posted is correct. Technically, they can only deny you warranty if the modification effects the failed part however, many stories of dealerships voiding warranty for when this isn't the case. Honestly, I have seen voids on engine failures because of vent to atmosphere blow off valves.

Crap shoot, so that's why you will never get an honest answer. You may have a fight on your hands if something does go wrong with your car and there is no end to the stupid that dealerships will get into to avoid having to do warranty work. They make no money doing it but still have to provide the man hours.

Personally I would be more concerned with the amount of noise violation tickets you will be getting once the rice police get into summer mode.

That will be loud and straight pipes are illegal so you can't really do much other than go to court over it after you put on an exhaust and hope the judge throws it out.

Do you honestly think you get HP from taking a muffler off anyway?

A few in the high end at the cost of a few in the low end if you haven't modified the engine for more power. And I mean significant power.

Take it off and drive around and see how much of a heat magnet you are going to be.

Our rally cars run straight pipes with a cat on the end and that **** is loud as hell.

 

[mma01]

Ever consider a cut-out instead (either manual or electronic). Open for track use, closed and quiet for street duty? Open exhaust is fun for the first little while but gets irritating pretty quickly.

What kind of car are you planning on doing this on?

 

[Dr.Manhattan]

Well, I don't mind the noise violation, god knows my motorcycle is already loud and I have had no problems with the authorities. Im looking to do this on a 2010 Camaro SS. Again, I have seen what Borla, and Magnoflow have done, and even a lot of the other Camaro owners were saying when people catch on to what you can do with just a muffler delete, the exhaust companies are gonna be screwed considering it's almost the exact same sound. A guy on another forum did a straight muffler delete, then dyno'ed, and added 17 HP, pretty good for a $150 mod.

I never considered the cutout, but it is always an option. What it mostly comes down to me is the warranty. I don't want to void a $3000 warranty just for a straight muffler cut. I was under the impression as well, as there warranty is still intact UNLESS, the part in question can be narrowed down to be damaged with the install you did. ( And we all know dick head dealers who will say the engine was screwed because the exhaust was damaged causing computer / HP output issues ). I know if I put a straight SuperCharger too it, my warranty is done, so I won't be doing that route, but I don't want to pay $1200 + labor on a mod I can do for $150.

 

[invictus43]

17hp on a 400hp vehicle? Is that really worth it?? I know the arguments on both sides, but frankly, I don't blame the manufacturer for not honouring the warranty when mods are made. They warranty the vehicle based on how they built it and what they know. How many mods will people make and how do you assess each one for its effect on the overall vehicle? It's a lot of work. Not to mention a legal nightmare. If you get a sympathetic dealer, you can get your warranty work done. But honestly, I don't blame the mfg's for not honouring it.

 

[mma01]

I was under the impression as well, as there warranty is still intact UNLESS, the part in question can be narrowed down to be damaged with the install you did. ( And we all know dick head dealers who will say the engine was screwed because the exhaust was damaged causing computer / HP output issues ).

This has generally been my experience when I owned my Camaro. Having friends that work at the service dept also tends to help For a couple hundred of bucks, Id strongly recommend getting a cutout so at least you have the option of closing it up if you need to. Or get the pipes made with a flange to mate up to the OEM piping so that you can bolt the mufflers back if you need to take it in for any engine related warranty work.

17hp on a 400hp vehicle? Is that really worth it??

From a performance stand point, 17 hp is a noticeable bump and is totally worth it for the minimal amount spent. But I suspect he is doing it more for the sound. An uncorked v8 sounds amazing.

 

[dr_sarcasm]

I know if I put a straight SuperCharger too it, my warranty is done, so I won't be doing that route, but I don't want to pay $1200 + labor on a mod I can do for $150.

Screw the warranty, supercharge that bad boy!

 

[rich6969]

besides sound you dont gain anything by this mod....

 

[Dr.Manhattan]

This has generally been my experience when I owned my Camaro. Having friends that work at the service dept also tends to help For a couple hundred of bucks, Id strongly recommend getting a cutout so at least you have the option of closing it up if you need to. Or get the pipes made with a flange to mate up to the OEM piping so that you can bolt the mufflers back if you need to take it in for any engine related warranty work.

Do you know anyone off hand that would be able to do such work ?. Not looking to go to a chop shop, and I am obviously not going to a dealership to get this done. !

Screw the warranty, supercharge that bad boy!

I've come very close a few times lol, but it's already pretty quick in that department. If I wanted anymore instant speed I just hop on the bike lol.

besides sound you dont gain anything by this mod....

Well Im not and expert in the field, however from the people I have chatted with the mod they have increased overall HP, but lost a bit of torque. I have seen the the before and after dyno sheets, so I am assuming there is some truth to the HP increase.

 

[Gummiente]

And you need this extra 17hp because.......?

 

[FullMotoJacket]

I didn't see the word need anywhere in any of the OP's posts.




But now that you mention it, do you need all that chrome on your Harley?

 

[mma01]

Do you know anyone off hand that would be able to do such work ?. Not looking to go to a chop shop, and I am obviously not going to a dealership to get this done.

Tech Tune Exhaust

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416-234-0634​

34 Chauncey Ave, Etobicoke, Ontario M8Z 2Z4

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627 Danforth Road
Toronto ,Ontario
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http://www.championmotors.ca/services.html

And you need this extra 17hp because.......?

What does need have to do with anything?

 

[Gummiente]

What does need have to do with anything?

OK, good point.

 

[NP6000]

Have you heard a late model Camaro with the muffler delete? It sounds like a motorboat... and that's not a good thing.

 

[Dr.Manhattan]

Late model being ?.... 1968 ? lol. I have heard 2010's and up and they all sound extremely nice.

 

[rmemedic]

Your dealer should give you a clear answer.
I just bought a new truck and they know what I can and can't do to it without voiding the warranty.
Crappy part, is they have to do the work for it to not void the warranty. So despite the fact I can easily do these things that I want to do in the drive way, I have to pay for them to do it... And that takes out all the fun because I have to pay them and I actually enjoy doing those things myself.

 

[NP6000]

Late model being ?.... 1968 ? lol. I have heard 2010's and up and they all sound extremely nice.

Late model means recent. Im referring to a 2010 SS with muffler delete. When compared to stock, deleting the muffler made the exhaust sound louder (good) and coarser (bad)

If you heard it for yourself and you like it, I guess that is all that matters.

 

[Dr.Manhattan]

Late model means recent. Im referring to a 2010 SS with muffler delete. When compared to stock, deleting the muffler made the exhaust sound louder (good) and coarser (bad)

If you heard it for yourself and you like it, I guess that is all that matters.

Dunno how I read that as early, been a long day. Yea, it definitely gives you a distinct sound. Some people like it, some don't, I suppose the same can be said with all exhaust mods. I won't say it's the best sound, but for $150, you really can't beat it.

Your dealer should give you a clear answer.
I just bought a new truck and they know what I can and can't do to it without voiding the warranty.
Crappy part, is they have to do the work for it to not void the warranty. So despite the fact I can easily do these things that I want to do in the drive way, I have to pay for them to do it... And that takes out all the fun because I have to pay them and I actually enjoy doing those things myself.

You'd think he would. I asked the dealer but he seemed incredibly clueless. Im going to drive back up there tomorrow and question him, and the head mechanic on it and see what can be figured out. I will still take what they say with a grain of salt, god knows if I come in a year later with an issue everything will be turned around. I should get it all in writing.

 

[invictus43]

You'd think he would. I asked the dealer but he seemed incredibly clueless. Im going to drive back up there tomorrow and question him, and the head mechanic on it and see what can be figured out. I will still take what they say with a grain of salt, god knows if I come in a year later with an issue everything will be turned around. I should get it all in writing.

If I had to hazard a guess, they aren't incredibly clueless..they just don't care that much. They do this stuff all day long..your baby is just another vehicle to them. They don't want to tell you anything that can come back on them or mislead you. I suggest you do get it in writing..and I also suspect that they'll say you can't do anything other than stock if you insist on getting it in writing.

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