So I just got a brand new '08 Mazdaspeed3, Black Mica, on June 21st. I'm curious if anyone knows of a list of mods (or can just name a few) that I can do without voiding my factory warranty. Do boost gauges (electronic) void anything? That's really the only thing I can think of that I would want right away, but it would be good to know my options.
Warranty Safe Mods
- Thread starter Fenrir
- Start date
FrequentFlyer
Member
- :
- 2008 CWP Mazdaspeed3
Really any mod can void your warranty if they can prove the mod effected the part that went bad. It all depends on how cool your dealer is, but dealers cool with mods are few and far in between. Service departments don't like doing warranty work because they don't make as much money on them as they do ripping you off with $50 oil changes and various overpriced preventive inspections/maintenance. They can't charge you retail on a part that was a warranty item because they're not charging you at all!
I agree that a motor mount, shifter and shifter bushings are "low threat" mods, especially if you go with black Corksport mount inserts. If you want more power, I'd go with the Cobb SRI. It's easy to install and will give you about 20whp/30ft-lb torque. For $175, it's probably the best hp/dollar ratio of any other mod. Probably a bit more threat then the other mods, but easily replaceable with the stock air box if you've gotta go to the dealer for service. Another mod would be a Forge BOV. Easily installed/easily removed. Springs and sways bars are most likely low threat also, but don't bring the car to the dealer for an alignment because they most likely will give you a hard time.
I agree that a motor mount, shifter and shifter bushings are "low threat" mods, especially if you go with black Corksport mount inserts. If you want more power, I'd go with the Cobb SRI. It's easy to install and will give you about 20whp/30ft-lb torque. For $175, it's probably the best hp/dollar ratio of any other mod. Probably a bit more threat then the other mods, but easily replaceable with the stock air box if you've gotta go to the dealer for service. Another mod would be a Forge BOV. Easily installed/easily removed. Springs and sways bars are most likely low threat also, but don't bring the car to the dealer for an alignment because they most likely will give you a hard time.
As far as what can you do without them voiding your warranty, I have done the following: window tint, taillight and marker tint, black emblems, radar detector tapped into fuse box, dashhawk
Pushing my luck: Cobb SRI, turbo xs hybrid valve, CS mm inserts, dp/rp (soon)
The MSD Dashhawk will not void your warranty, plugs into your OBD-II port and can act as upto 7 gauges at once, datalog, etc. I also use mine for warnings and staggered alerts for shift points. An excellent tool. I have heard a few people say they got voided for gauges, but the dashhawk can simply be unplugged
Most places will void your warranty for an intake that isn't the mazdaspeed cai, but the cobb is VERY easy to install and uninstall if you need to. Same thing for the 50/50 hybrid bov. The inserts I guess are technically not allowed, but they would really need to be looking for them. I am going to do downpipe and racepipe when my downpipe comes in the mail. That is blatantly voided
I recommend an intake (MS CAI will keep you in warranty, or Cobb is easy to change out if needed), MSD Dashhawk, and the motor mount inserts. I got the black cs inserts and they look factory unless you are trying to see them. the hardest part of the install is getting the car lifted up, it's pretty easy. Also, I really did not believe they would make that much difference, but the whole car feels more solid in every sense, NO vibrations or any negatives to report AT ALL.
Enjoy the car!
Pushing my luck: Cobb SRI, turbo xs hybrid valve, CS mm inserts, dp/rp (soon)
The MSD Dashhawk will not void your warranty, plugs into your OBD-II port and can act as upto 7 gauges at once, datalog, etc. I also use mine for warnings and staggered alerts for shift points. An excellent tool. I have heard a few people say they got voided for gauges, but the dashhawk can simply be unplugged
Most places will void your warranty for an intake that isn't the mazdaspeed cai, but the cobb is VERY easy to install and uninstall if you need to. Same thing for the 50/50 hybrid bov. The inserts I guess are technically not allowed, but they would really need to be looking for them. I am going to do downpipe and racepipe when my downpipe comes in the mail. That is blatantly voided
I recommend an intake (MS CAI will keep you in warranty, or Cobb is easy to change out if needed), MSD Dashhawk, and the motor mount inserts. I got the black cs inserts and they look factory unless you are trying to see them. the hardest part of the install is getting the car lifted up, it's pretty easy. Also, I really did not believe they would make that much difference, but the whole car feels more solid in every sense, NO vibrations or any negatives to report AT ALL.
Enjoy the car!
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I wish I had gotten the black instead of blue CS motor mount inserts. The blue stand out too much. The Cobb intake is the best bang for the buck as others have suggested. Get the Forge BPV not the BOV to go with the Cobb intake. Those are my only mods so far but a test pipe to replace the 2nd cat is on my todo next list. Welcome to the club.
It's a gamble on the whole mod and warranty issue.
It's a gamble on the whole mod and warranty issue.
If you drive a Mazda, your warranty-safe mods are listed below....
And thats it. Unless you have them install it.LoL
I asked service at the dealership, Hine in Temecula CA, about mods and they said anything they installed was covered. Didn't ask if that transferred to other dealerships.
Mike
AutoXRacer
Member
There are no warranty friendly mods!!!
I went in for a rear endlink that was making noise and they blamed it on my aftermarket cat-back exhaust.
I went in for a service bulletin regarding a re-flash to the ECU and they denied me due to my mods.
Everything I go to the dealers for warranty work that is totally unrelated with my mods, I get turned away...
If you want to keep your warranty, DON'T MOD YOUR CAR!!!
I went in for a rear endlink that was making noise and they blamed it on my aftermarket cat-back exhaust.
I went in for a service bulletin regarding a re-flash to the ECU and they denied me due to my mods.
Everything I go to the dealers for warranty work that is totally unrelated with my mods, I get turned away...
If you want to keep your warranty, DON'T MOD YOUR CAR!!!
jam_asian85
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed 3
Well the MS CAI is out of the picture, no longer available through vendors or dealership, and in order for them to do warrenty work, the CAI had to be installed by Mazda before 04/08 I think.
Nachtsturm
Member
I have the TWM sts w/ bushings, forge BPV in black(the guy would really have to know his stuff to tell the difference), and cobb sri. And I will buy the black CS inserts and I am done. It is very lowkey, but made a hell of a difference.
I just cant believe that Mazda is so damn picky. Ford is so much better as well as GM. Also I had no problem at all with my srt-4's getting warranty work done. I even had a Dump. Lame if you ask me.
I just cant believe that Mazda is so damn picky. Ford is so much better as well as GM. Also I had no problem at all with my srt-4's getting warranty work done. I even had a Dump. Lame if you ask me.
I hate my friend. He just bought a jeep compass and the guy said he can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't do anything to the tranny or open up the motor and he keeps his lifetime powertrain warranty. He already has an intake, full custom exhaust, tints, and dropped it. His front bumper is closer to the ground than mine is!!!
But he still drives a jeep compass..... As long as you buy a car Chrysler doesnt really car, they just get excited anytime they make a sale.
FrequentFlyer
Member
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- 2008 CWP Mazdaspeed3
Like I said, most dealers avoid warranty work like the plague. It's more paperwork for them and they don't make as much money. When Mazda dealers are selling cars for invoice and get 2% holdback, the profit margin is slim. They rely greatly on their service departments for profit. Service departments don't really care if you're ripping Mazda off by getting something replaced that may have broke because it was modded. They care about not being able to sell you parts at full retail and charging you for 4 hours labor when Mazda says it should only take 3.
took my car in yesterday to get an oil change with motor mount and shifter bushings. didn't have any problems. thought i would b/c my dealer is a bag of douche. he did say though mazdas intake MIGHT be back on the market around september or october. i won't hold my breath though.
Kinda of off subject, but I spit out diet coke after reading this comment. So true! (rofl)
I did not know they even made aftermarket parts for a Jeep Compass! Now one of my buddies that drives a Wrangler Rubicon 4x4 has a snorkel, lift kit and pulley set up and does very well with the dealership. The service guys love his car when it comes in for fluid swaps!
