Down pipes void warranty??

[Fmoser]

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on this forum in anticipation of getting my ‘25 soon. A colleague at work said his shop wouldn’t do down pipe replacements because it voids the warranty, no issues with exhaust replacement though. I haven’t seen this mentioned on the forms, any insight?

 

[UNBROKEN]

Basically if you have engine/turbo/exhaust issues and they’re spotted, they could be used to deny warranty work. There’s no cut and dry answer though.

 

[Fmoser]

thanks. How could it void a warranty?
Would it be because it potentially flows more exhaust therefore allowing more pressure, performance..etc?
Just not sure of the mechanics involved here, exhaust is just noise, no actual gain so I get that.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

thanks. How could it void a warranty?
Would it be because it potentially flows more exhaust therefore allowing more pressure, performance..etc?
Just not sure of the mechanics involved here, exhaust is just noise, no actual gain so I get that.

It all depends on the dealer. Downpipes don't just automatically void the warranty. They have to prove the aftermarket part caused the failure. However, if they want to be a**holes, they just have to say the downpipes are listed as "Off Road Use Only" or "They increase the Hp beyond what the vehicle was designed for" and now the ball is in your court to prove them wrong. Downpipes have been shown to add around 20 Hp. Here is what I posted in another thread:

I did read through the ESP terms and conditions and it says, “IF” the failure is caused by. . . They do have to prove that it caused the failure, however, it’s not hard for them to link a mod to the failure and then it’s up to you to prove them wrong. Good luck with that! Attorney fees alone will cost more than just paying to have it fixed. Say your differential fails and you have a brace on it. The dealer calls Ford, sends them pics, Ford denies warranty coverage and says the vehicle was modified to operate outside its normal limitations. Now it’s up to you to prove they are wrong. Court costs, attorney fees and months without the vehicle! And, you likely will not win because a lot of these mods, especially tunes, say “For off-road use only”. The best approach is to try to have a good relationship with your dealer and be ready to pay out-of-pocket for repairs.

 

[UNBROKEN]

thanks. How could it void a warranty?
Would it be because it potentially flows more exhaust therefore allowing more pressure, performance..etc?
Just not sure of the mechanics involved here, exhaust is just noise, no actual gain so I get that.

That’s it in a nutshell. Ford doesn’t need to dig too deep into it. You have high flow cats…you changed the way things work. That’s all the proof they need….after that it’s on you.

 

[GooseTuned]

I'd pass on downpipes as a first mod that does nothing. You'll likely even get a CEL for efficiency that you'll need to bandaid too.

Without tuning downpipes are not helping.

I'd do an intercooler first, you'll see real world gains and feel them as well.

 

[Fmoser]

I'd pass on downpipes as a first mod that does nothing. You'll likely even get a CEL for efficiency that you'll need to bandaid too.

Without tuning downpipes are not helping.

I'd do an intercooler first, you'll see real world gains and feel them as well.

Good to know, thanks.
old school mechanic neighbor showed me pics of a small intercooler he had on a foreign car, he ran electric fans on it because he couldn’t get after market….. said it helped!

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Good to know, thanks.
old school mechanic neighbor showed me pics of a small intercooler he had on a foreign car, he ran electric fans on it because he couldn’t get after market….. said it helped!

There are several aftermarket IC’s available for our platform. Most people modding do this first. As stated, it makes a noticeable difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fmoser]

There are several aftermarket IC’s available for our platform. Most people modding do this first. As stated, it makes a noticeable difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s on my spring todo list, too cold and I don’t have a heated garage!

 

[GooseTuned]

Nice, yeah an intercooler should be the first mod with downpipes being one of the last.

Unless you tune, I wouldn't even recommend them. And since no tuning is available for the 25, do everything else first.

 

[Fmoser]

Th

Nice, yeah an intercooler should be the first mod with downpipes being one of the last.

Unless you tune, I wouldn't even recommend them. And since no tuning is available for the 25, do everything else first.

Thanks.
my plan has been exhaust, down pipes and intercooler. Tune when available.
based on the recommendations i’ll skip down pipes until needed.
now if i can only pick an exhaust…..
Sound is so tough online. I like a lower deep rumble so it makes you wonder,,, stock?
hard to get that sound from the 6.
damn I miss the noises my modified 70 GTO made!
Edit- and rear bar, diff brace etc

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on this forum in anticipation of getting my ‘25 soon. A colleague at work said his shop wouldn’t do down pipe replacements because it voids the warranty, no issues with exhaust replacement though. I haven’t seen this mentioned on the forms, any insight?

I'll give you my thoughts on this subject, some may agree some may disagree. By law Ford can't void warranty without proving the aftermarket part caused the problem. But we all know this doesn't mean they'll follow it. With so many little parts and major electronics, it is easy for Ford to find a way to blame the aftermarket part caused the problem. The biggest variable however, is the dealer IMO. The dealer can choose if they want to make a big deal of the aftermarket part, or they could just let it slide. Ford still is the decision maker, but a dealer could let it slide. Please note could. So it depends on how the dealer feels about the mods and if you have a good relationship with them. I've heard rumors about Ford and other aftermarket warranty companies are sending corporate reps to inspect vehicles on big ticket warranty cases like engines and such. Might just be rumors, but just something to note. In the end, this is a pay to play game. If you want to mod, mod and you're going to take the risk of voiding certain warranty cases. In this case, I wouldn't do it because downpipes aren't going to be worth it with the stock tune.

 

[De_Stiller1948]

I'd pass on downpipes as a first mod that does nothing. You'll likely even get a CEL for efficiency that you'll need to bandaid too.

Without tuning downpipes are not helping.

I'd do an intercooler first, you'll see real world gains and feel them as well.

You are right on the intercooler as first. Nothing I have done gave me the very noticeable power increase than the Whipple mega intercooler.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

You are right on the intercooler as first. Nothing I have done gave me the very noticeable power increase than the Whipple mega intercooler.

Intercooler isn’t going to give you extra HP, but allows you to use that power for longer because it limits heat soak.

 

[enphor]

Intercooler isn’t going to give you extra HP, but allows you to use that power for longer because it limits heat soak.

Exactly this. The stock intercooler gets heat soaked what seems like in the first 200ft of WOT, then she flattens out and won't add more power due to the high intake temps. Aftermarket IC, she can keep on pulling up to her full potential for as long as you have your foot down.

I only did dp's because I knew I'd get a tune. Otherwise I'd leave the stock cat shitboxes on (well at least until they broke out of warranty).

 

[De_Stiller1948]

If I start having problems with the transmission shifts and have replaced the intercooler and added a differential brace and a tune and then before taking to the shop load the stock program back into the vehicle will Ford void any warranty issues with the transmission or drive line. Whose call is it on coverage or no coverage. I bought an extended warranty when I bought the 23 ST new. Have hard shifts and skipped shifts with both tunes one from 5 Star and another from ZFG. No problems in stock program.

 

[UNBROKEN]

I’d return it to stock and drive it a while to up the key cycles counted. Low key cycle counts are a red flag for the dealer. If it’s a normal issue they’ve seen in the past you’ll very likely be fine. But…and this is the gamble…if a Ford referee gets involved and starts asking questions it’s out of the dealerships hands.
Honestly though…trans issues are common enough they likely won’t bat an eyelash. I’d probably pop the diff brace off though.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

If I start having problems with the transmission shifts and have replaced the intercooler and added a differential brace and a tune and then before taking to the shop load the stock program back into the vehicle will Ford void any warranty issues with the transmission or drive line. Whose call is it on coverage or no coverage. I bought an extended warranty when I bought the 23 ST new. Have hard shifts and skipped shifts with both tunes one from 5 Star and another from ZFG. No problems in stock program.

Ford can tell if you have tuned the vehicle based on key cycles. It is Fords call on for warranty coverage, based on the dealers warranty claim. Dealer might put that vehicle has aftermarket parts, might overlook it.

 

[cheetoduster]

Does auto stop/start count towards key cycles? That would be way too convenient.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Does auto stop/start count towards key cycles? That would be way too convenient.

No, one key cycles occurs once every time you turn the car on.