Worst Case Scenario if Warranty is Denied Due to a Mod

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by derek1387

So let's make this simple. If they deny your warranty and you blow your engine, it's going to be expensive.

I already went the simple route ,and he was just to simple to get it I guess.

[TX_ED_SS]

You asked for WORSE CASE scenario. I doubt a normal tune will blow your engine but it could happen. Depending on if the block is damaged, you're looking at $4-$7K minimum to replace. With Nitrous, there are too many factors in play to say what exactly would be the weakest link and let go first. Could be simple valve train failure or could be a rod through the block. Like most others have stated, you gotta pay to play. Keep an extra $10K in your savings account to cover parts and labor for a blown engine.

[yescats]

Originally Posted by MrChrisLS3

There is no "answer". Just too many variables to have a 'correct' answer. Damage could be anything from a spun bearing requiring a new set and crankshaft, to blowing a rod through the block, requiring a new engine. Lean AF ratio burning holes in pistons, dropped valves, broken springs, lifters. You name it, any one of these could happen, any combination, or all of them.

As far as "max", well, it all depends on how far you want to go. You could spend $30 grand on an engine if you wanted to. Or simple rebuild for $3-$5K. All depends on the damage and what you repair it with, and of course who.

Not only is okay to not know the answer, it is impossible to know the answer.

Thanks for the well thought out answer. I had a friend who's engine blew and couldn't afford to fix it. The car sat in his yard for three years while he made payments on his new car and his old car.

So for a negligible gain they're risking losing their car. Real mature. I'm not saying I haven't done the same. In retrospect putting 100 hp nitrous kit on a brand new leased 70k Jag was pretty stupid. But back then I was wasted every waking hour and was getting ready to dump my credit anyway. Can't see how a sober person on a budget is willing risk such a loss. Wonder if their spouses or parents they're mooching off of realize the position they're putting themselves in to be Speed Racer?


.

[Red2014SS]

Originally Posted by yescats

Thanks for the well thought out answer. I had a friend who's engine blew and couldn't afford to fix it. The car sat in his yard for three years while he made payments on his new car and his old car.

So for a negligible gain they're risking losing their car. Real mature. I'm not saying I haven't done the same. In retrospect putting 100 hp nitrous kit on a brand new leased 70k Jag was pretty stupid. But back then I was wasted every waking hour and was getting ready to dump my credit anyway. Can't see how a sober person on a budget is willing risk such a loss. Wonder if their spouses or parents they're mooching off of realize the position they're putting themselves in to be Speed Racer?

You're the one who said he had an extra bottle of nitrous sitting in the closet. Obviously, you are considering adding it to your Camaro. So who is this "friend" you now speak of?? ....

I say go for it. You only live once. A small 50-75 shot won't hurt anything... and you'll have a lot of fun.

[MrChrisLS3]

Originally Posted by yescats

Thanks for the well thought out answer. I had a friend who's engine blew and couldn't afford to fix it. The car sat in his yard for three years while he made payments on his new car and his old car.

So for a negligible gain they're risking losing their car. Real mature. I'm not saying I haven't done the same. In retrospect putting 100 hp nitrous kit on a brand new leased 70k Jag was pretty stupid. But back then I was wasted every waking hour and was getting ready to dump my credit anyway. Can't see how a sober person on a budget is willing risk such a loss. Wonder if their spouses or parents they're mooching off of realize the position they're putting themselves in to be Speed Racer?

I hear ya, of course when I was wasted every waking hour I spent all my car money on bumper and suspension repair as I was always running into or over something. This would typically end in loss of license so all was moot at that point. lol

Now, it is important to note, that many of the people on here with the 'big builds' have other cars for the daily duties, so if something breaks it doesn't exactly alter their life. But, yes, it can be an expensive hobby in that regard.

Now, for folks like me, where the car is a daily driver, just getting to point b takes priority over being first to point b.

[VTSummit]

Vague question is vague.
I've seen people nuke engines to the point it was a new long block to replace, as well as some transmissions that shed parts. Depends how stupid the mistake is. Nitrous is the quickest way to blow an engine if not done properly- but safe when done well. I've run nitrous on many engines over 25 or so years and never had damage from it... but I've seen parts go through the hoods of other cars because of a bad setup.
If you can't afford things to go wrong, don't test the waters in an area where you are not competent.

[qcman]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

The thing with most modifications is that there are very few professional tuners or installers so incompetent that they'll blow up your car. Doing it yourself is another story; however, even then you're unlikely to blow up your car instantly. Besides, time alone will kill any machine, your Camaro included. Do what you want to do, but be sure to save enough to replace everything if you love your ride.

Agree with this post. If you do something ask around here about the person or shop you intend to work with thats what I did. Besides the OP asks pretty much the same question every week. I would think Nitrous on a L99 could be a little risky with the AFM crap in the there but thats just a guess...

[yescats]

Originally Posted by Red2014SS

You're the one who said he had an extra bottle of nitrous sitting in the closet. Obviously, you are considering adding it to your Camaro. So who is this "friend" you now speak of?? ....

I say go for it. You only live once. A small 50-75 shot won't hurt anything... and you'll have a lot of fun.

Yes I'm getting tempted. Thought I had it out of my system with the Viper. In the 90's I joined the Viper Club. Got to drive laps at Daytona, Sebring and Homestead. Drag racing at Moroso had some close calls because of the maniacs next to me. But I didn't think about losing what I was paying $800 a month for back then either. You're right about only living once. Just for the memories it would have been worth it. Lemon Lawed it after a year and a half and got a C5 Vette. Then a Jaguar XKR.

I was always satisfied with the power those cars put out so the bottle sat for all these years. But to tell you the truth this one is pretty satisfying as is too. The Jaguar XK8 had only 290 HP so something had to be done. I put downpipes after the resonators and had my guy start out at 50 HP and gradually raise it to 100. Never had a problem.

[Netraa]

Worst case scenario, you pop the engine, and the entire car burns down to the ground for a 100% loss.

There have been video/pictures/stories of at least 3 camaros that have burned to the ground on this site.

There's a guy in our car club that has his V6 torn open replacing the bottom end because he bent some rods and spun some bearings.

most likely worst case is you make some of the important parts of the engine on the inside go ouside, window the block, causing the transmission to lock up and detonate the rear and and the transmission as the drivetrain locks up and you skid sideways into a K rail.

so, worse case scenario is total loss....

[yescats]

Originally Posted by Netraa

Worst case scenario, you pop the engine, and the entire car burns down to the ground for a 100% loss.

There have been video/pictures/stories of at least 3 camaros that have burned to the ground on this site.

There's a guy in our car club that has his V6 torn open replacing the bottom end because he bent some rods and spun some bearings.

most likely worst case is you make some of the important parts of the engine on the inside go ouside, window the block, causing the transmission to lock up and detonate the rear and and the transmission as the drivetrain locks up and you skid sideways into a K rail.

so, worse case scenario is total loss....

I shouldn't have confused thing by mentioning nitrous. I really wanted to know how much damage could a Diablo or custom tune really do.

[Red2014SS]

Originally Posted by yescats

I shouldn't have confused thing by mentioning nitrous. I really wanted to know how much damage could a Diablo or custom tune really do.

Thousands of members here are tuned. I'd say you've no worries if you use a well known tuner. If you're gonna do it, do it right. Forget the diablo and get a real tune from a reputable tuner.

[rberns]

Originally Posted by motorhead

You blow expensive shit up and they don't cover it. You then have to pay to fix said expensive shit.

Got it?

Agreed.

Here is a copy paste from another thread of what happened to me:

Last fall I had a cam swap done on the car. During the winter and into the early spring while it sat in storage i notice a small coolant leak. Last spring I brought it into the dealership and showed them where it was leaking from thinking I might need a new line installed since the car sits so much. Come to find out my oil cooler line fitting was cross threaded to the engine block from the factory. GM stated that although I had modified my engine and tuned the car they understood that none of my mods had anything to do with why it was leaking coolant. Which there is a TSB on this issue. GM paid for the cost of a new engine block and the labor to remove old engine and install new engine. However, I had to pay for the labor to swap all my internals from the old engine to the new engine.

[yescats]

Originally Posted by Red2014SS

Thousands of members here are tuned. I'd say you've no worries if you use a well known tuner. If you're gonna do it, do it right. Forget the diablo and get a real tune from a reputable tuner.

I can have both. Dynosteve gives a free tune with the purchase of a Diablo.

[yescats]

Originally Posted by rberns

Agreed.

Here is a copy paste from another thread of what happened to me:

Last fall I had a cam swap done on the car. During the winter and into the early spring while it sat in storage i notice a small coolant leak. Last spring I brought it into the dealership and showed them where it was leaking from thinking I might need a new line installed since the car sits so much. Come to find out my oil cooler line fitting was cross threaded to the engine block from the factory. GM stated that although I had modified my engine and tuned the car they understood that none of my mods had anything to do with why it was leaking coolant. Which there is a TSB on this issue. GM paid for the cost of a new engine block and the labor to remove old engine and install new engine. However, I had to pay for the labor to swap all my internals from the old engine to the new engine.

This thread is all screwed up. I'll have to start another one asking about a tune only.