Will upgrading ECU and exhaust void warranty

Can anyone tell me whether upgrading the ECU chip and replacing the headers and exhaust sytem on the 458 voids the factory warranty? Is it out of the question for my dealership to install these poarts if I buy them from a company like Oakley?

Thxs.

 

OK. Thxs

 

Obviously your driving skills greatly out shine the available power and performance characteristics of the 458....so more power is a no brainer.

Have fun

 

then these boys must have serious issues? c'mon now, to each his own. no need for the jabs.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=140172251&postcount=1

 

I am with the Dr! Two things I never get "too" much of... Horsepower and boobs! But to each their own!

 

Thanks. I didn't think the jab was warranted either but just MHO. If I want my 458 with more HP, that's my business, right.

 

I think that in many (most?) states, the manufacturer can only void warranty claims if a modification is directly related to a subsequent issue which would normally fall under a warranty. For example, if you just modified the suspension, the manufacturer can't subsequently refuse to cover an air conditioning claim...

Of course, an ECU mod would seem to give a manufacturer fairly wide latitude in refusing to cover engine-related claims.

 

It's been reported that Ferrari disapproves of cat-back exhausts. ECU mods? Forget about it. Ferrari takes power-train failures very seriously. Depending on the dealer, how good of a customer you are and the type of failure, you may get away with an exhaust - maybe - but mess with the ECU and you can pretty much kiss your power-train warranty goodbye. GM takes a similar position with their cars (Corvette, Camaro, etc.), Porsche does, too. Actually, most (if not all) manufactures do.

Personally, I think cat back exhausts are a harmless mod and should be allowed, but I can understand a manufacture's position regarding ECU tunes/mods. A poorly designed tune could do major engine/transmission damage. I don't blame them for denying coverage. Besides performance parameters, factory tunes are designed to work under all kinds of conditions with varying fuel quality, etc.

 

No jab intended. Why pay for what you can't use?

In the end it is Ferrari that decides if the modification was related to a failure, then it gets expensive. In my opinion, wait until the warranty expires, then do what you want. This way the automaker takes care of the car.

Apologies if I came across harsh. I have seen aftermarket related failures and very large repair bills. I would rather you avoid those if possible.

 

Thanks to all for such great replies. I think that I'll pass on the ECU and exhaust mods based on the points well made.

 

A good tuner will modify many air/fuel maps to accomodate for those other conditions. Look at how many Porsche guys buy their cars new or lightly used and modify them with no problem. If done correctly, there will be no issues.

Ferrari must also prove it and have verification, they cant just claim it. A friend of mine was in the same situation the the dealer could not fully prove their claim. Any good tuner also has an insurance policy to cover their back side in case their product or service causes a failure, same insurance a dealer has.

 

Your dealer cannot install them as it indeed will cause Ferrari to 'void' your warranty.....

Your decision if all that is "worth it"......drive safely!!

 

Playing devil's advocate for a second:

Consider an aftermarket cat-back that happens to have a minor leak. This can end up harming the Cat or burn the exhaust valves under extreme circumstances. Just consider...

A poorly designed tune can do all sorts of engine damage.

A well designed and well orchestrated tune can also do all sorts of engine damage for reasons we don't understand/comprehend. Take for example; an engine that will live a nice long life with factory bearings and factory specified oil, but these bearings have absolutely no margin for additional power, so the factory tunes the car down to what the materials can withstand. The well orchestrated tune puts the engine back where the airflow works as designed, and this, now, overloads the bearings. I dont believe that Ferrari would ship an engine that close to the edge (except in racing circumstances). But it could happen.

Don't even get started with a DCT transmission comuter tune.....

Remember, I'm only playing devil's advocate, here.....

 

Thats fine if you dont mind hiring a lawyer and proving your case at great expense. They will make you do that. BTDT


Also Ferrari reps do dealer visits. One thing they do during those visits is to eyeball the cars at the store looking for modified cars. Those VINs are noted and recorded.


Like the man said, wait until warranty is over.



Oh, and a dealers insurance will not give him cover to modify cars. Thats just silly.

 

Not sure how my friend dealt with the situation, but it was something to do with a 3rd party and it was relatively simple.

Didnt know FNA reps would do that, but doesnt surprise me in the least. I didnt mean dealers had insurance to cover modifications, but they do have insurance to cover their techs work.

 

It will void the warranty, period. I cannot think of anything that would be more deserving of voiding the warranty than an ECU mod. You could, of course, mod it and have your car serviced at a non-Ferrari facility that does not have access to all the tech data. Then you have to hope you do not need to have warranty work done. First time it is put under the computer, the DME will read back a nice list of what was done and what the current issue of software is. Why take a chance? Keep it stock and trade it for a 458 Scud or whatever they call it for an extra dose of hp or mod it at three years.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I know people have successfully used aftermarket tunes without issue, but if there is a major failure, determining that the modified tune isn't at fault is not the manufacture's responsibility. They've already spent enormous time and money making sure their own factory tune performs reliably.

As Rifledriver said, if there is a problem, fighting with them in court is almost certain...not fun or cheap.

 

I had aftermarket software for my previous F360 and my old F430 and never had any issues at all. The gains were very worthwhile, decent hp and torque numbers, throttle response was even more on point and having the tuner program for my catless system I ran for a while on the F430 saved me from glaring at the CEL light.

 

Can't imagine fighting with Ferrari over this would ever be worth it. Have a strong feeling I would lose big time. I don't have the engineering expertise to even pretend to make a case.

I am not a risk taker and am inclined to drive the car as is...but I have a Tubi.

 

Not to be rude, but WOW that is so far from the truth in the USA its astounding.

There is a little thing that was lobbied by SEMA called the Magnusson Moss Act. It basically protects aftermarket manufacturers stating that OEM's can not stipulate in their warranties (tie in sales) that a consumer can only use an OEM branded part or there warranty is void.

Also it clearly states that aftermarket parts that improve performance do not inherently void the warranty, unless the warranty CLEARLY states that or if it can be proven that the aftermarket parts caused the failure.

Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage. If the dealer cannot prove such a claim — or it proffers a questionable explanation — it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission administers the Magnuson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law.


If they can't prove it you can report them to the FTC and they will review the case.

 

Doing the exhaust won't void your warranty.I have the exhaust to all 3 of my newly purchased Ferrari's thru Ferrari service including my new 458 with a TUBI exhaust and have had warranty issues at no time was it ever a problem on any of my cars.The ECU is another matter and not a good idea if a major warranty issue happens they can check the ECU for a flash at that point they could void the warranty.Some flashers guarantee the warranty don't believe it under any conditions

 

I'm not too sure about that. If you have an engine problem, they could claim the aftermarket exhaust is partially responsible. The ECU for sure could be the cause or damage the emission system.

If you have an gauge not working or the AC stops, they aren't going to void the warranty for a different exhaust. But, if you burn a valve, they might.

Personally, I'd ask the dealer their opinion and not anyone here on Fchat. They are the ones who will have to deal with it if a problem comes up.

 

Yeah, go fight with them armed with the Magnusson Moss Act...be prepared for a long, expensive fight.

Many warranties do have restrictions, including modifications to the ECU. Do some reading on corvetteforums.com...if you flash/tune a Corvette's ECU the engine warranty is terminated, period. GM has done it many times. Afaik, Porsche takes a similar position.

Let me rephrase...It's not the manufactures responsibility to prove that an aftermarket tune is safe under all conditions. If there's an engine failure - i.e. melted piston, burnt valve, etc. - they can very easily blame the aftermarket tune. Can the tuner prove their tune wasn't at fault? Doubtful.

 

can you please make a video of your new 458 with tubi exhaust? thanks..

 

Aside from the probably violation of the factory warranty, the mods raise other questions.
First will they actually improve performance? Ferrari does a pretty good job with a team of qualified engineers and testing facilities, including a race track.

Many times the "increases" are at the expense of decreases elsewhere. And will it still pass emissions?

If you do get a large increase in power or torque, will the Getrag DCT box be able to handle it?

But in the end it is your car. Have fun and give us your feedback on the mods.