WRX modifications could void warranty, says Subaru
08-13-2001, 01:45 PM
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WRX modifications could void warranty, says Subaru
First Published: The Age
Monday, August 13, 2001
By TOBY HAGON
Subaru is calling for enthusiastic WRX owners to stop potentially dangerous vehicle modifications that could void warranties and damage engines.
The Japanese importer, which sells the high-performance Impreza WRX, said three recent cases of turbo failure apparently brought about by relatively simple exhaust modifications had sparked the latest warning.
According to Subaru national technical services manager Derek Ashby, the modified exhaust system gets too hot, causing ceramic pieces to break off and work their way into the turbo, ultimately causing failure.
"These companies are selling a short dream," Ashby said. "We're suggesting people go back to their exhaust supplier and talk to them about the problems some of them are having."
After the latest round of problems, Ashby is proposing a mail-out to Subaru clubs possibly followed by a direct mail-out to WRX owners warning of the dangers of modifications.
"Basically we'll be recommending that you can't do any modifications," said Ashby. "We're looking to put together a layman's explanation of the dangers and send it to (WRX owners) clubs."
Ashby said that while Subaru will give its customers the benefit of the doubt in certain situations, the company would only be warranting manufacturing faults, not damage caused due to aftermarket alterations. "We're getting quite expert at spotting (the false claims)," he said.
He said that the problem was growing as more owners modified new vehicles in the hope of more power and greater individualisation.
"We get frustrated with so-called experts thinking they know more than the factory engineers. In the end, the person that suffers most is the customer," Ashby said.
One of the biggest modifiers of WRXs in Victoria is Air Power Systems, or APS. APS director Peter Luxon sympathises with Subaru Australia and the problems of modifications, although he doesn't totally agree.
"There are obviously some operators who are modifying cars who don't really know or understand what they're doing," Luxon said. "The problem for the reputable companies like us - who sell a complete engineered package - is that we all get tarred with the same brush."
Subaru WRXs have been a popular choice for modifications as owners look for cheap ways to boost performance relatively easily. The latest model, which is slightly slower than its predecessor, has also seen many owners trying to boost performance.
But Ashby said many of the modifications can affect the longevity of other components as well as reliability.
"No one really knows what effect the modifications will have," he said. "The more cars become controlled by computers, the more potential there is for something to go wrong."
Ashby also queried how some of the aftermarket operators can claim compliance to the Australian Design Rules.
But Subaru doesn't want to look like a party-pooper, and recognises the demand for personalisation.
"We recognise people's desire to individualise their cars and hopefully down the track we can offer something," Ashby said. "But if we did it, it would have the full backing of (Subaru Japan)."
Monday, August 13, 2001
By TOBY HAGON
Subaru is calling for enthusiastic WRX owners to stop potentially dangerous vehicle modifications that could void warranties and damage engines.
The Japanese importer, which sells the high-performance Impreza WRX, said three recent cases of turbo failure apparently brought about by relatively simple exhaust modifications had sparked the latest warning.
According to Subaru national technical services manager Derek Ashby, the modified exhaust system gets too hot, causing ceramic pieces to break off and work their way into the turbo, ultimately causing failure.
"These companies are selling a short dream," Ashby said. "We're suggesting people go back to their exhaust supplier and talk to them about the problems some of them are having."
After the latest round of problems, Ashby is proposing a mail-out to Subaru clubs possibly followed by a direct mail-out to WRX owners warning of the dangers of modifications.
"Basically we'll be recommending that you can't do any modifications," said Ashby. "We're looking to put together a layman's explanation of the dangers and send it to (WRX owners) clubs."
Ashby said that while Subaru will give its customers the benefit of the doubt in certain situations, the company would only be warranting manufacturing faults, not damage caused due to aftermarket alterations. "We're getting quite expert at spotting (the false claims)," he said.
He said that the problem was growing as more owners modified new vehicles in the hope of more power and greater individualisation.
"We get frustrated with so-called experts thinking they know more than the factory engineers. In the end, the person that suffers most is the customer," Ashby said.
One of the biggest modifiers of WRXs in Victoria is Air Power Systems, or APS. APS director Peter Luxon sympathises with Subaru Australia and the problems of modifications, although he doesn't totally agree.
"There are obviously some operators who are modifying cars who don't really know or understand what they're doing," Luxon said. "The problem for the reputable companies like us - who sell a complete engineered package - is that we all get tarred with the same brush."
Subaru WRXs have been a popular choice for modifications as owners look for cheap ways to boost performance relatively easily. The latest model, which is slightly slower than its predecessor, has also seen many owners trying to boost performance.
But Ashby said many of the modifications can affect the longevity of other components as well as reliability.
"No one really knows what effect the modifications will have," he said. "The more cars become controlled by computers, the more potential there is for something to go wrong."
Ashby also queried how some of the aftermarket operators can claim compliance to the Australian Design Rules.
But Subaru doesn't want to look like a party-pooper, and recognises the demand for personalisation.
"We recognise people's desire to individualise their cars and hopefully down the track we can offer something," Ashby said. "But if we did it, it would have the full backing of (Subaru Japan)."
08-13-2001, 01:54 PM
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questions..
isn't exhaust, even on turbos are turbos back? the ceramics (in the cat?) got suck so far back into the turbo and damage the fan i suppose?
2nd, is STi factory approved tuner? because i saw Subaru dealer selling STi's stuffs in the show room.
2nd, is STi factory approved tuner? because i saw Subaru dealer selling STi's stuffs in the show room.
08-13-2001, 02:20 PM
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Some tips....
Still living in the Subaru environment, this is nothing new. Subaru knows that there are people who are going to mod their cars regardless of what they say...it's bad enough to know what the car's potential is because of Japan's specs vs. US specs and of course we want more out of our cars. There are tuning shops all over who are aware of computer gliches and work around them.
Anything you do to your Subaru with aftermarket mods, Subaru threatens to void your warranty, but they have to prove that your mod is the cause of a direct effect for, let's say, CE light. We all know that a suspension mod won't light up the CE...so things like that. It's not like we don't know our rights! But yes, if there is a mod that effects the cars performance like an intake and causes the light to come on, either change it or know a dealer that's mod friendly. Dealers that sell aftermarket parts are most likely mod friendly if something were to happen. But, better in writing than verbal.
But if you mod your car for more HP, prepare yourself to mod your tranny, cause they don't hold more than your stock HP/Torque curve. Now THAT sux!!!
Anything you do to your Subaru with aftermarket mods, Subaru threatens to void your warranty, but they have to prove that your mod is the cause of a direct effect for, let's say, CE light. We all know that a suspension mod won't light up the CE...so things like that. It's not like we don't know our rights! But yes, if there is a mod that effects the cars performance like an intake and causes the light to come on, either change it or know a dealer that's mod friendly. Dealers that sell aftermarket parts are most likely mod friendly if something were to happen. But, better in writing than verbal.
But if you mod your car for more HP, prepare yourself to mod your tranny, cause they don't hold more than your stock HP/Torque curve. Now THAT sux!!!
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08-13-2001, 02:34 PM
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It's not real clear is it? It kind of sounds like it's a ceramic header.....
that is breaking down from excess heat and pieces are getting sucked into the trubo. As somebody posted further down, a performance exhaust would be turbo or cat back. That's a weird one, and not real clear to me.