New 2005 XRS Performance Parts and Dealer Factory Warranty

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What is the deal with Toyota and installing performance parts? I went to the dealership and they say if you bring parts for them to install it won't impact your warranty. Has anyone ever installed performance parts themselves and had an issue with warranty coverage? Please let me know, I want to do some work on my new XRS but don't want to impede my warranty. Also, being my car is new is it OK for me to install performance parts before the engine break-in period as long as I don't push the car too hard?

[seymour44]

any alterations to the powertrain (engine/tranny) will void your warranty, reguardless of who does the work (you or a mechanic). however, toyota trd parts installed at a toyota dealerhip 'should' not void the warranty. but i would assume that you would need to show the proper documentation as to where you purchased the trd parts and what dealership installed them. warranties are tricky business....anybody else have anythning to add....

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Is Toyota dealership labor expensive? Anyone know what the hourly labor rate is? How much for instance do you think it would cost to have a TRD exhaust put in? Is an exhaust considered powertrain?

[seymour44]

TRD exhaust is wack...its an axle back, essentially you are paying i think around 4 bills for glorified muffler....and yes toyota dealership labor is expensive, most all dealerships are. i'm not sure if the exhaust in considered powertrain, intakes are but i dunno about exhausts....my opinion, if you want an aftermarket exhaust, just go custom, go to any exhaust garage and they can make you whatever you want, pipe diameter, dual/single....

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TRD claims you get a 3.7% power output increase? Is this not true? I will take it under consideration but would really like not to void my warranty.

[seymour44]

i think its like a 3hp gain at the wheels....but for $400 plus installation, i don't think its worth it. a 3hp gain isnt going to shave much off your 0-60 or 1/4 mile times....and if you are looking for a true aftermarket exhaust set up there is alot more work to do and money to be spent....my opinion save your cash for a real exhaust, you will see a much larger increase in power. at 9thgencorrola.com there was a discussion about the trd muffler in the xrs section, check it out if you want

[Dark_Serpent]

hmmm... if ur exhaust pipe were too wide, u might end up lose some HP too, were u not? But TRD exhaust was nice... ....

[djwolford]

Read through the Magnusson-Moss act, it goes into detail about what you can and can't do. As far as mufflers, why would you want to change that sweet sweet sound?

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I think it could be alot better. The engine sounds nice but the exhaust sound is really non-existent.

[silver04rollas]

I am not sure, but I think the exhaust opens up a lot around 4500 rpm and growls by 5500 rpm, but once over 6200 rpm it vanishes again and becomes bee humming and buzzing under the hood typically like a sport motorbike or an F1 racing car. Personally, I think the sound of XRS is perfect and probably the most beautiful sounding car I have driven ( i.e Lexus IS300, Acura TSX, TL, Accord, Camry etc).

[djwolford]

Yessir, lift in third gear is the most beautiful sound I've heard from a 4 cylinder. But then idle from an aston martin vanquish is near orgasmic, so I guess it takes the cake.