Underblu

There are laws in the US that prevent BS warranty excuses from dealerships. It is my understanding that the non factory part has to be shown to cause the warranty issue for a claim to be denied. I am buying a car not licensing it.

Now if it turns out the plenum and throttle body throw a CEL then this might be an issue but headers and an exhaust, provided there's no CEL, what could possibly be an issue.

I don't think there would be an expert witness anywhere that would perjur themselves by saying a slightly less restrictive more efficient header and exhaust system could damage an engine.

Also Porsche has the same 3.8L with similar factory mods in versions as high as 430HP so it would be very hard for them to pose a credible argument to the contrary. Plus hardware mods are reversible

Now ECU type mods, I'd probably stay away from those as those are recorded. Actually this whole Orwellian ECU thing is disconcerting. I mean we are watching our right to privacy erode day by day yet no one speaks out. The nanny state just keeps growing.

CAlexio

You're saying the presence of a Cobb accessport, once removed is still detectable?

blacksheepSpyder

wasn't it proven recently that changing the tb alone won't be enough, due to the fact that the software is detecting the airflow and therefore a tb from a gt3 will close when too much flow is detected...

Underblu

It is my understanding that the ECU records a multitude of engine data points so I would expect the presence of a tune would be easily identifiable. With the complete lack of regard to privacy nowadays it wouldn't surprise me if the actual connection to the Cobb wasn't recorded.

Spyder Man

Any engine modifications are detectable regardless of whether mods are reversible because engine related data are recorded by the ECU.

To put it simply in the case of engine warranty claim Porsche engineers in Germany will analysis all data to identify the cause of the failure. If they see ignition timing, fuel curve, air flow, rev limit data are outside of the ECU's original allowable parameter than warranty will be voided.

CAlexio

thank you for that info. So, my assumption is that changing headers and exhaust would be ok, probably not plenum and TB, definitely not chip. When I look at the gains fabspeed obtained with just their sport header and exhaust i would be very very happy with having that level of performance increase and leave the potential warranty-defeatable power from the other stuff on the table.

blacksheepSpyder

so in four years, they will have the tb/software issue cleared and tested...


Trust me, stock, this car is fast enough for the next four years.... better save your money for tires..... your gonna need more.

John@Fabspeed

That would be a great start, although I would recommend the addition of the Cobb Accessport to compliment the modifications to truly maximize the potential of your Spyder. Cobb has quoted 5%hp and 3%tq peak gains on the GT4 (Spyder coming soon), imagine what the gains are going to be with our freer flowing performance exhaust, IPD plenum, and upgraded 82mm throttle body.

I would recommend checking with your dealer before going through removing your modifications. We have Porsche dealers across the country that have been installing our products for years without voiding any warranties

Mark Dreyer

+1. For my purposes I can't see the need for more power on the street. It is plenty fast enough to blow by just about anyone, and the fun quotient is through the roof.

Rosseau

Fabspeed, do you have any installers in Toronto, Canada? Thanks.

CAlexio

Fabspeed, maybe you're misreading my post. I'm saying that your header and exhaust should be safe and what I would mount no problem. Whereas the Cobb if detectable and plenum from IBD may be a step too far. What's an extra 5% worth with the Cobb if years down the line Porsche can give me a warranty headache?

John@Fabspeed

After speaking with our tuner and with Cobb, the consensus is that if a Cobb Accessport is properly uninstalled with the original ROM file there is no computer scanner at a dealer level that can detect anything other than the ECU has been reset. Even a standard OBDII scanner can set off this "counter". That being said, Cobb by no means is guaranteeing their product is "warranty safe" as if the ECU is shipped off the Germany the diagnostic software there is unknown.

To tune or not to tune...that is the question

CAlexio

Good info! Thanks.

Underblu

This is very good info. Thanks John. I will definitely be contacting you guys when I get my Spyder.

I think with some relatively minor mods 420 hp is doable and something the engine is clearly capable of as has been seen in various guises of the very same engine. At 2900lbs 420hp should be enough power to propell the Spyder thorugh the 1/4 mile in under 12 seconds. While that may not be GT3 quick it would be a blast

s2ktaxi

what I'm really interested in is how to eliminate that power dip at 7000 rpm.