503 HP

[Bikeman315]

It was never about the HP, it was about modifications that could cause an issue with the Ford warranty.

Just ignore posts like this. The amount of negativity on this forum recently is palpable.

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[robvas]

Just ignore posts like this. The amount of negativity on this forum recently is palpable.

Why are you on this forum with your paltry 2019 GT?

 

[Bikeman315]

Why are you on this forum with your paltry 2019 GT?

Oops, forgot to ignore you on this forum. Thanks for the reminder. Bye!

 

[robvas]

@Bikeman315 can dish it out but can't take it I see

 

[DrRaphael]

Just ignore posts like this. The amount of negativity on this forum recently is palpable.

I agree Bikeman. Not only this forum but all forums.

 

[msquad]

Just ignore posts like this. The amount of negativity on this forum recently is palpable.

It’s everywhere every forum group I’m part of. Seems lots of people just don’t know how to scroll and they think we all need to hear their negativity & criticisms.

 

[MAT1955]

@DrRaphael ..... almost any modification to the engine unless done under approved Ford Dealer supervision or approved Ford 3rd party supplier will void your warranty.

 

[DrRaphael]

@DrRaphael ..... almost any modification to the engine unless done under approved Ford Dealer supervision or approved Ford 3rd party supplier will void your warranty.

So what would constitute a modification? Putting aftermarket air filters would not seem to be a modification, or am I thinking wrong? Removing the carbon traps could be a no-no it would seem. Some have said that if the modification caused the issue, there is no coverage. So, if the rear end falls off can Ford deny coverage because there were aftermarket air filters? I've had many new cars and never had the need to modify the car so I am new at this.

 

[MAT1955]

@DrRaphael ...... Since you asked - here's my opinion. First, just my opinion, if you modified the air filters that would not void any "rear end" warranty claim as those systems are not related. BUT if you added different shocks, sway bars, jack kits I think you would be denied. Also if you modified the engine air intakes good luck with any engine warranty claim. Also my friend said that the minute a vehicle comes into his dealership with obvious signs of modification and there is any discussion of warranty the issue is immediately escalated to the service manager. If the claim is denied the the general manager gets involved then he does. I have mentioned his opinion of modifications in the text below.

Some thoughts about warranties in general..... So my fiend owned a big GM dealership. I expect Ford is the same. From our many conversations over 20 years, I came to the understand the following regarding dealerships and car company warranties: In our case Ford builds the Mustangs and sells them through dealerships that are essentially franchises. The two entities are linked by a business agreement. Ford pays for any warranty issues.

Dealers don't really like warranty work as they only get paid (at best) 80% of their normal shop labor charge for warranty work. So right off the bat they lose 20%. In the last 15 years the paperwork and claiming back for payment has become a huge burden for dealers. If you have a truly obvious and legitimate warranty claim - even that - is going to cost everyone money. That's one reason that a good relationship with your dealer can be essential as they will have to "eat" 20% or more labor and then do detailed paperwork - it is almost essential for you (as the vehicle owner) to have your dealer stand behind your claim and often advocate (usually strongly) for you to the manufacturer.

IMO most dealers and manufacturers will not tolerate modifications to any area (unless utterly cosmetic) to any aspect of the vehicle. As my friend said, you modify it and you let me right off the hook - thank you! When it comes to drive train modifications they do not have to honor claims that in ANY way they can deem as causative..... and you should read the fine print on that. BTW having a dealer install a modification or tell you its ok to do a modification is absolutely useless unless approved by the manufacturer (Ford in this discussion) as - again - the two entities are business partners and dealers are not a direct extension of Ford. and Ford corporate is NOT obliged to honor dealer promises. All the aftermarket parts manufacturers are IMO BS artists when they say their parts don't affect warranties. Yeah, right. Call Ford and ask them that one.

To not risk voiding a really good vehicle warranty (we have discussed this on this forum before) call Ford, ask for a customer representative, discuss your intention. IF they approve they will send you an email with a case number. That still does not guarantee a refusal if you did not do exactly as they approved.

I have laughed out loud when I watched idiots drill holes in the front fascia of their 2024 Mustang GTs to put more air into the intake snorkels (voids the warranty) or remove internal baffles in the air intakes. The Mustang techs at my dealership called the guys who did that "idiots with drills and dremels". I am sorry if I sound rude but what idiot thinks that doing those things (or similar) won't give a dealer/manufacturer a great reason to void the engine warranty.

I don't want to argue this with a bunch of weekend wally garage guys - but - if you want the answer, call Ford and ask. If they send you a permission email with a case number you are probably ok - if not and you hear riotous laugher and then a dial tone, you probably aren't.

IMO the issue of vehicle modifications should be so common sense. If you alter the design parameters of a system you have probably voided the warranty. In your case. If you take in your Mustang with an engine warranty claim that has altered intakes and no one notices, you have rolled the dice and won. At my Ford dealership, before even discussing an engine warranty claim they look at the front fascia, the air intakes and the engine in general. The techs read these forums too. My tech, who has worked on several of my Mustangs warned me not to do the very alterations I have just discussed. For guys who don't care about the warranty - modify away, as that's your business. The above is my opinion FWIW

 

[DrRaphael]

@DrRaphael ...... Since you asked - here's my opinion. First, just my opinion, if you modified the air filters that would not void any "rear end" warranty claim as those systems are not related. BUT if you added different shocks, sway bars, jack kits I think you would be denied. Also if you modified the engine air intakes good luck with any engine warranty claim. Also my friend said that the minute a vehicle comes into his dealership with obvious signs of modification and there is any discussion of warranty the issue is immediately escalated to the service manager. If the claim is denied the the general manager gets involved then he does. I have mentioned his opinion of modifications in the text below.

Some thoughts about warranties in general..... So my fiend owned a big GM dealership. I expect Ford is the same. From our many conversations over 20 years, I came to the understand the following regarding dealerships and car company warranties: In our case Ford builds the Mustangs and sells them through dealerships that are essentially franchises. The two entities are linked by a business agreement. Ford pays for any warranty issues.

Dealers don't really like warranty work as they only get paid (at best) 80% of their normal shop labor charge for warranty work. So right off the bat they lose 20%. In the last 15 years the paperwork and claiming back for payment has become a huge burden for dealers. If you have a truly obvious and legitimate warranty claim - even that - is going to cost everyone money. That's one reason that a good relationship with your dealer can be essential as they will have to "eat" 20% or more labor and then do detailed paperwork - it is almost essential for you (as the vehicle owner) to have your dealer stand behind your claim and often advocate (usually strongly) for you to the manufacturer.

IMO most dealers and manufacturers will not tolerate modifications to any area (unless utterly cosmetic) to any aspect of the vehicle. As my friend said, you modify it and you let me right off the hook - thank you! When it comes to drive train modifications they do not have to honor claims that in ANY way they can deem as causative..... and you should read the fine print on that. BTW having a dealer install a modification or tell you its ok to do a modification is absolutely useless unless approved by the manufacturer (Ford in this discussion) as - again - the two entities are business partners and dealers are not a direct extension of Ford. and Ford corporate is NOT obliged to honor dealer promises. All the aftermarket parts manufacturers are IMO BS artists when they say their parts don't affect warranties. Yeah, right. Call Ford and ask them that one.

To not risk voiding a really good vehicle warranty (we have discussed this on this forum before) call Ford, ask for a customer representative, discuss your intention. IF they approve they will send you an email with a case number. That still does not guarantee a refusal if you did not do exactly as they approved.

I have laughed out loud when I watched idiots drill holes in the front fascia of their 2024 Mustang GTs to put more air into the intake snorkels (voids the warranty) or remove internal baffles in the air intakes. The Mustang techs at my dealership called the guys who did that "idiots with drills and dremels". I am sorry if I sound rude but what idiot thinks that doing those things (or similar) won't give a dealer/manufacturer a great reason to void the engine warranty.

I don't want to argue this with a bunch of weekend wally garage guys - but - if you want the answer, call Ford and ask. If they send you a permission email with a case number you are probably ok - if not and you hear riotous laugher and then a dial tone, you probably aren't.

IMO the issue of vehicle modifications should be so common sense. If you alter the design parameters of a system you have probably voided the warranty. In your case. If you take in your Mustang with an engine warranty claim that has altered intakes and no one notices, you have rolled the dice and won. At my Ford dealership, before even discussing an engine warranty claim they look at the front fascia, the air intakes and the engine in general. The techs read these forums too. My tech, who has worked on several of my Mustangs warned me not to do the very alterations I have just discussed. For guys who don't care about the warranty - modify away, as that's your business. The above is my opinion FWIW

Thank you! Your opinion on warranties is appreciated.

 

[Bikeman315]

Thank you! Your opinion on warranties is appreciated.

I, for one would take @MAT1955 post with a grain of salt in regards to warranties. What he says is true but a little harsh. The Mustang is the most modified car in history. Ford knows that, as do its dealers. If you stay within reasonable limits most dealers will work with you on warranty claims. Now put a supercharger on your engine and bring it in for engine related problems. That’s not going to end well. But most minor modifications, like changing air filters won’t even be noticed. If you have any concerns have a conversation with your dealers service manager to see how “mod friendly” they are. At that point you will be better able to gauge what you can and can not do.

And just to clarify, Ford cannot “void” your entire warranty. What they can do is reject a warranty claim if it involves a part of your car that has been modified using non Ford approved parts. In your particular case, I think you are going to be just fine. But that is just my humble opinion.

 

[DrRaphael]

I, for one would take @MAT1955 post with a grain of salt in regards to warranties. What he says is true but a little harsh. The Mustang is the most modified car in history. Ford knows that, as do its dealers. If you stay within reasonable limits most dealers will work with you on warranty claims. Now put a supercharger on your engine and bring it in for engine related problems. That’s not going to end well. But most minor modifications, like changing air filters won’t even be noticed. If you have any concerns have a conversation with your dealers service manager to see how “mod friendly” they are. At that point you will be better able to gauge what you can and can not do.

And just to clarify, Ford cannot “void” your entire warranty. What they can do is reject a warranty claim if it involves a part of your car that has been modified using non Ford approved parts. In your particular case, I think you are going to be just fine. But that is just my humble opinion.

I appreciate your opinion and I am not going to worry about it. When Carmax checks on the carbon traps I am going to ask them to remove that silly plaque in the engine compartment to avoid drawing attention to any possible modifications (if that is what it means).

 

[MAT1955]

@DrRaphael ..... agreed. You will probably not have any issue with your engine as they are VERY well built they are really as close to hand built racing engines as you can get. As well, you appear to be a thorough "details guy" who would not abuse his vehicle to cause engine damage. IF, IF, IF your engine ever requires an engine warranty claim (I would say unlikely in your case) buy two new intakes and install them to remove any potential for a denial due to removed carbon traps etc. In the meantime enjoy your Mustang as it is an excellent vehicle....and I believe you will likely fine its HP rating of 480 incredibly responsive and fast! Enjoy!

 

[MAT1955]

@Bikeman315 ....I am a bit confused ( not the first nor last time) when you say "What he says is true but a little harsh" - I agree. Then you say take what I say with a grain of salt. HUH? Respectfully to readers be careful what you read into dealer or aftermarket parts dealers statements about modifications. I have too many stories of claim denials to list them but here's some food for thought.

Ford has some TV and youtube adds where they use their drift brakes etc. to smoke their tires in clouds of smoke or they rip around city streets at night smoking tires. Great.

At a meet and greet at a big Ford dealership that specializes in Mustangs, where an area Fred representative was asked to answer questions I was told one answer he gave made some of the guys snap to attention. When referencing the Ford official promotional ads and videos of Mustangs doing smoking donuts and brake drifts he said of course we don't expect you to actually do that. You could damage your car doing that. What?

There is a law suit going on now where Hyundai is allegedly refusing to honor a failed engine of a vehicle sold with a (very expensive) track package. The owner said on a TV news interview that he had followed all recommendations, that his vehicle had only been "tracked" at a track - not with the infamous street takeover crowd and offered his ECM downloads to prove his shift patterns and rpms were within approved limits. So far it looks like Hyundai will not honor his warranty and will not have to.

Regardless of what many believe to be tolerated, regarding modifications, you should read the fine print. That ought to give you some reflection time. ANY time you modify your Mustang outside of what Ford Corporate will approve (for God's sake ask them first) your are warranty gambling.

As for the dealer their word on modifications doesn't mean $hit - if they say Ford will pay for it ( no dealer speaks for Ford Corporate) and I bet if Ford won't pay for it the dealership won't either. There are several interesting videos of Mustang owners who had expensive mods done n- by ford dealers that failed subsequent warranty claims.

If someone wants to argue with this fine, it's a democracy, but I'm just trying to be helpful. I have modified and raced motorcycles, boats and cars and wrenched/built too many engines to count. I have always understood that I burned any warranty when modifying. Protect yourself - want to install some aftermarket headers - take 5 minutes and call Ford Customer Service ..... it could save you thousands.

 

[Zig]

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