In your case, then you really don't have much of a choice being that a blower was the cause for throwing out a rod ? and my intentions were not meant as trying to pin your racing parts on Ford, I was attempting to help you out from being screwed over and how to prevent it..As for manning up and paying for damages you did ? Yes you did the right thing which is something nobody can ever take away from you no matter what..

 

I understand what your both saying Caleb, my point was there's a very huge difference in a dealership refusing to service a vehicle under a warranty claim than having the legal authority of voiding a factory warranty altogether..

 

got ya

 

I bet an a-hole dealer can get you there. THey can say the increased power production of the engine due to the CAI was over the power handling capacity of the tranny.

 

I had some warranty work done while I was in Louisiana for Christmas, I had gears, intake, mufflers and a tune at that time. No questions asked, they didn't say anything. I even asked them to not clear or reset the computer because it was tuned for California climate.

Then again, that was in friendly Louisiana, I don't know what would happen here in California.

 

Another option for those interested is the FRPP power packs.

Ford has sanctioned (without question) the use of FRPP's power packs (except the drag pack and supercharger pack).

The warranty works like this. You purchase the FRPP parts and have them installed by any Ford dealer. Upon installation they will register the parts in the database (I think its called "OASIS" or some acronym like that).

This information came from my conversation with the management at Ford Racing during SEMA. This new program was unveiled a couple of months ago and is a product of the Shelby GT and Shelby GT-H using the same parts from Ford Racing as original equipment.

So that means the exhaust, x pipe, cold air kit, handling pack, and yes the even the taboo computer flash tuner.

And the best thing to do if you are a victim of the upselling that the service writer is trained to do (meaning you pay retail labor rather than the half rate that Ford pays the dealer) is to ask for the diagnosis and professional explanation in writing. I have used this technique with several dealerships over the years and won everytime. The Ford dealer is very hesitant to put this stuff in writing unless they are sure of themselves, which they seldom are (mostly because they rarely diagnose a vehicle right the first time because the mechanics have to go through cars quickly to make a living).

The truth is that Ford Motor Company encourages aftermarket parts. They provide engine calibration data to tuning companies and vehicle CAD data through the SEMA technology transfer program. Why do the OEM's do this? Simple, they want to have parts available for their new cars before they debut them because customizable cars sell better and increase the profits of their dealer network.

In the future this warranty "myth" will become a thing of the past. SEMA, the OEM, and the aftermarket parts companies are currently involved in a pilot insurance program/fund that covers repairs that the local dealer determines as being caused by an aftermarket modification.

I think the franchised dealer network has been pulling a fast one on consumers for too long. Back in the day, the service department was a burden that they were required to do in order to have a franchise. Now, the service department is expected to cover most of, if not all of, the dealerships overhead, and leaving the sales income as gravy. Ford Motor Company has never been adverse to the aftermarket. In fact most warranty issues have nothing to do with the Ford rep. The warranty disagreements stem from the franchised dealer level discretion. The local dealer has what's called "good will repairs" where they can cover part of or even all of the repair for a vehicle that is out of warranty or for repairs where it is unknown if the aftermarket parts or lack of proper maintenance etc, caused the problem, or if it was a factory defect.

I think the obvious stuff that ticks off customers is when a dealer refuses to warranty an issue covered by an TSB and blames it on minor aftermarket parts that dont have a history of causing it and appear to be properly installed.

For instance, who makes the springs on the Shelby GT and GT-H? Eibach

Who makes the Cold Air Kit? Steeda

Who does Roush use for their Cold Air Intake? Airaid

Who makes the short throw Shifter on the Shelby GT/ GT-H? Hurst

and the contradictions go on and on.

sorry for the rant..but I just get so angry when enthusiasts can't enjoy their cars out of fear of unscrupulous dealers trying to make a quick buck and making customer service the last priority. Now customer's have to just as unscrupulous as the dealer by taking everything off of the car before they bring it in and lie to them about why the computer is reset. Who cares why the computer is reset, any diagnostic tool at NAPA can check and clear DTC's... and that doesnt void the warranty.

Whatever happened to the local ford dealer selling and installing the ford total performance parts from the 60's. I guess that's gone now. I hope that Ford, the other OEM's, and SEMA figure a way to put a stop to all of the games beign played in the service departments. The mechanic doesnt care, he gets paid the same $25 an hour whether its warrantied or not.

 

My rods are just fine thanks. I'm talking hypothetically.

 

I just found a great article in MM&FF that goes into your concerns in depth.

here is the link: http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co...nty/index.html.

I actually learned a lot from it about Ford's new techniques and they way their franchise agreements are structured.

 

Here is another good link. It is Ford Racng's Warranty Policy.

http://www.fordracingparts.com/warra..._STATEMENT.pdf

RIchard

 

Well being that my statement concerning your Rods was intended as a hypothetical question to begin with..You can also consider my entire statement as hypothetical as well for that matter

 

Rocky can I ask why you use question marks in your sentences? Just curious.

Richard

 

Richard, it's just a very bad habit that I still struggle with and I'll be the very first to admit that my punctuation skills aren't what they used to be from 25 years ago.. Guess it's progressed to the point where I've forgotten where they don't belong and am unsure of when and when not to use them..

 

Cool

And don't sweat it. I just thought it was very odd that you were using question marks in the middle of your sentences.

Richard

 

My Dilema:

I've used off road mid pipes on all my 5.0's, and want to do the same with my 07. I've heard of people using mils to prevent a check enging light, but was told you can have it programed in a tuner instead.

How do you reflash back to stock without a check engine light showing up if your running an off road pipe? Wouldn't it be redundant and a waste of money to have both?

 

well thats kind of my dilema us way.... I think theres only two options. Buy the MILs or replace the stock H when you need to.... basically, if you dont want to keep switching your H back and forth... buy the MILs even though it is somewhat of a waste.

 

problem is that sometimes the MILs dont work. The computer tuning method is the only for sure way to do it. This is just from past experience with prior mustangs. Maybe the MILs on the S197's are improved or something.

If you want to flash back to stock, you can use the copied "factory tune" and only adjust the parameter that deletes the rear o2's. That way you have factory performance (for whatever reason) and still not trigger a light.

If you meant to say to return it back to stock settings for a trip to the ford dealer, then I would say you should take off the O/R pipe as well because it could void your powertrain warranty if it messes with the PCM's ability to operate the injection properly. I dont know why you want to leave the O/R pipe on when going to the ford dealer (of course it is a pita to swap).

 

PITA to swap.... but amazing to drive! lol