Engine Upgrades Without Voiding Warranty

[snakezinc]

Hello TN,

I bought my I4 09 se 5 months ago use. I got the extented warranty for 100k but I still would like to do some mods to gain extra hp and torque. I was wondering why there wasn't a diy for warrantied engine mods? I know I could search through the forums, which is where I found out about the TRD exhaust, TC TRD intake (not 100% sure if it is okay), and about switching a vaccum tube for the engine filter to such more air in at lower rpms. I was wondering if there were any other possible mods and if there are maybe there could be a DIY thread with links to other threads. I know I'm fairly new to this site but after searching around I thought I'd put in some input

[MJZ]

Exhaust, intake ... that's about it I think.

[Netforcer]

you can do anything to it as long as you can prove that your mods didn't cause the problem if something does go wrong... or they need to prove that your mods caused the problem

[gdanaher]

The best 'mod' you could do for that car that would add torque and horsepower yet never void the warranty is to trade it in for a V6. Don't mean to be cruel but there is darned little you can do,inexpensively, to boost the output. That car with an I4 is grossly underpowered and designed to be a family economy car. By the time you have spent a fortune to get the engine up to where you want it, you could have just bought a V6 and still have a warranty.

[snakezinc]

Thanks. Yeah Netforcer I figured that but if its a part that's say left in the engine if there ever is a problem (instead of just swapping it back for the stock part) I have a feeling the dealership would find any and every way possible to blame it on the aftermarket part.

gdanaher- I know the V6 is much more powerful and Id love to have a V6. The reason I have an 14 is because my cousin works for corporate Toyota and he found me a 2009 with 15k miles with remote starter, moon roof and a few other options for 17,200. That probably one of the best deals I will ever find for a camry.With all taxes, fees, registration and extended warranty the car came out to be under 20k. The I4 starts brand new at 22,300 and used in NY they are basically 20k. Add my extras and I got a couple grand on top of that. The V6 would have been great but for me that I4 was a great buy, not to mention there aren't many v6 used out there.

[gdanaher]

I understand that, but try hard to be happy with what you have. To make a noticable difference in performance you would need to tag on at least another 40 horsepower, and that just isn't going to happen short of reworking the engine, adding a turbo or something else that would surely kill the warranty on the engine not to mention cost a fortune. By the time you spent that kind of money, you could have purchased a brand new 2011 V6 and enjoyed the benefits of a new car with the full warranty. It's great that you feel you got a good deal financially, but it wasn't a deal if you aren't happy with the performance of the car. (Insert the joke about the guy who bought the ill fitting suit here and you will better understand what I am saying.)

[Dave-o]

I own an 09 I4 SE, it's got plenty of power as a daily driver... gas is amazing with conservative driving

[private_number]

Getting a stock i4 and making it a monster is more fun and interesting than buying a v6 and calling it a day IMO


let the debate begin................................

[snakezinc]

I know making crazy mods will cost a fortune and Im absolutely happy with my buy, I was just wondering if there were some small mods to increase a little hp and torque from like 0-30 or something. Nothing major like turbo kits. But thanks for the help.

Dave-O was kind of mpg you get and what kind of driving do you do?

[thrawnis]

Originally Posted by snakezinc

I know making crazy mods will cost a fortune and Im absolutely happy with my buy, I was just wondering if there were some small mods to increase a little hp and torque from like 0-30 or something. Nothing major like turbo kits. But thanks for the help.

Dave-O was kind of mpg you get and what kind of driving do you do?

Doing most basic suspension mods (strut bar, replacing the rear sway bar, etc.) as well as replacing the intake and exhaust are pretty much all you can do that would be "safe" in terms of the warranty.

Unfortunately the engine/exhaust performance mods aren't really going to give you a noticeable improvement. Your car will be louder but the exhaust may actually lower your low-RPM performance due to the reduced backpressure.

[Dave-o]

Originally Posted by snakezinc

I know making crazy mods will cost a fortune and Im absolutely happy with my buy, I was just wondering if there were some small mods to increase a little hp and torque from like 0-30 or something. Nothing major like turbo kits. But thanks for the help.

Dave-O was kind of mpg you get and what kind of driving do you do?

about 1,500-2000 miles a month
highway trips = 34-35mpg (310 mile trips + carrying 4 winter tires)

^ that was my latest 300 mile trip... I usually make 2-3 trips a month from phila-boston and back around

city driving is great on gas too, I cruise on 1600rpm-2000rpm after reaching desired speed... that's key for me

[Doh Nuts]

To echo what has already been said - the dealer has to prove that your aftermarket part caused the problem/part failure. But you know they will try to shirk warranty, which has happened to me in the past.

That being said, I'm planning on doing light mods - intake, exhaust, wheels, springs/struts and upgraded audio system. I don't think this will cause warranty violations, although I am replacing items that are under warranty.

And for what it's worth, I drive 3500-4000 miles a month, and get around 35 mpg with very conservative commute driving. Very comfortable car.

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by Doh Nuts

To echo what has already been said - the dealer has to prove that your aftermarket part caused the problem/part failure. But you know they will try to shirk warranty, which has happened to me in the past.

That being said, I'm planning on doing light mods - intake, exhaust, wheels, springs/struts and upgraded audio system. I don't think this will cause warranty violations, although I am replacing items that are under warranty.

And for what it's worth, I drive 3500-4000 miles a month, and get around 35 mpg with very conservative commute driving. Very comfortable car.

The dealer doesn't have to do anything. They'll hand your keys back and tell you go somewhere else.

It depends on what kind of people you get to deal with you.

[Doh Nuts]

Originally Posted by MJZ

The dealer doesn't have to do anything. They'll hand your keys back and tell you go somewhere else.

It depends on what kind of people you get to deal with you.

Right, that's one of the responses I've gotten.

Once upon a time when I used to only buy/drive American, I brought my car in for some items to repair under warranty. Service writer told me that it would be covered under warranty, no problem. I come in to pick up the car, told that I have to pay for the work. I disagree, because my quote and what I was told was that it was under warranty. Took me about thirty minutes of causing a scene, first in the parts/service area, then with the assistant GM of the dealership, before all was made well. And if it matters, this was to replace a faulty starter and fuel pump on a car that had six months/~4000 miles on it.

Another instance had me get "warranty" work on a car that was clearly out of warranty, although I did learn that dealerships can and do perform good faith work (this was work relating to door locks not working, which required me to "Dukes of Hazard" in and out of the car and a busted seat belt mount).

[gdanaher]

Originally Posted by Dave-o

I own an 09 I4 SE, it's got plenty of power as a daily driver... gas is amazing with conservative driving

And what is the highest elevation you normally drive on those daily drives? My normal driving is around a thousand feet which isn't very high at all but I spend time in the Colorado Springs area, from 6,000 feet to just under 11,000 feet. I've driven the I4 at 1000 feet and at 6000 feet and up. With one or two passengers in the car at 1000 feet, it was inadequate and driving alone above 6,000 feet, it was inadequate for the job. Granted, the term 'adequate' is subjective, but if you have to pull off the road to avoid being run over, you need more power. Winding up the engine tight, running in third gear, and making perhaps 45 on an open highway just isn't safe as you climb a hill.