Just wanna stop by and say hello to everyone....I hope you really enjoy your car as much as I do every single second of it, they're awsome cars.Mine is 12'SE white color 3 mons old with 1k on it.
Thanks to uncle Sam and my wife to give me 6.4k for modding( thanks again honey). I know exactly what I want my car going to be and I can't wait to get my hand on it. But on another hand, those warranties still in my head too much( kindda chicken out on this you kno)
So my question for you is: how did you guys deal with it (mentally)before you start to throw it a intakes, catback, light weight pulleys, p2r spacer,ect...
Then to suspension and it's relates, then wheels...and may be force induction in the future.?
Any input would be helpfull cuz I am bout to say Fuc this shiet,,,going to get my mod list tomorrow. LOL

 

don't feed ceb. <3 ya ceb, i know you'll have a field day at this.

1 thing i'll say, they have to prove the part caused the failure to not fix by warranty, so make sure what you get is well R&D'd, and properly installed and maintained

 

Im sure someone got a massive erection just from this thread title...

 

some dealers are more mod tolerant than others. you need to be ready to take responsibility for issues your part causes in case you can't get your work covered under warranty and just pay up. you could also do the work to revert your mods before you take the car to the dealer. they won't know what they can't see.

on my last car, i actually waited until my warranty expired before i put on a CAI. not only did this mean i didn't have to worry about a warranty being voided, but the extra time also meant that the CAI i wanted had the time to go through some long term testing. i wasn't willing to put on an unverified product, that could potentially hurt my engine in the long run.

 

Ahh, to be young and ignorant.

OP, some people here just prefer to stick their heads in the sand and pretend that all is well when they mod. When something does break, the bitch and moan about how mean the dealer is.

its rayden is correct that much depends on the dealer (and on how badly they've been burned in the past by mods) but his suggestion to remove mods prior to service is a bit naive and could be seen as warranty fraud.


You have to consider a few things before modding your car:

• What are the consequences, both intended and unintended? What could conceivably break? Is this mod one that traditionally leads to issues?
• Can I afford (both mentally and financially) to pay for whatever my mod breaks? While the dealer might cover something under warranty, there are no guarantees and you always have to remember that sign in the junky antique stores "if you break it, you pay for it."
• Is this mod going to lead my dealer to look for further mods? Aftermarket wheels are pretty common and by themselves may not cause the dealer to take a second look, but add a coffee can exhaust, a bright red CAI and dark tinted windows, then the dealer might just blame that suspension issue you complain about on the odd size of your wheels - which may actually be legitimate.
• Is this mod actually going to bring me benefits? Are the benefits worth the risk? It is well documented thata CAI by itself does very little (and may actually reduce power) and there are pages of posts about charging issues with light weight or undersized pulleys. If it were "free" horsepower, then why didn't the manufacturer do it in the first place - that CAI intake certainly costs much less than the stock intake as well.
• What is the reputation of the aftermarket manufacturer? Why do I believe that they have the wherewithall to do a better job than the manufacturer?
• Why am I doing this mod? Am I modding because my friends think it is a cool mod? Am I modding to correct what I think is a perceived deficiency? Am I modding because I've been told that this is a good mod and I'm just a lemming? - all those reasons are perfectly valid, but you need to be honest with yourself about why you are making that mod.

Getting back to the point about removing mods prior to servicing.

Assuming that your dealership doesn't like mods in general and will try to blame any failure on the slightest mod, how feasible is it for you to believe that you can (or will) remove all traces of mods without leaving lots of evidence (scratched screws, broken clips, replaced gaskets etc)? Will you do that while you're broken down on the side of the road while waiting for the tow truck? Do you regularly carry all your original parts with you?

If your dealership is cool with your mods (and you are cool with paying for the stuff that your mods actually break) then go for it. Make sure you consider what will happen if you break down far from home.

If that makes you a bit queasy, then you might want to consider milder mods that generally won't cause issues - wheels or any bits from the Acura catalog. A bit more daring (but still generally safe) would be parts from a Euro Accord catalog.

While Honda Accord bits aren't sanctioned by Acura, they are less likely to cause issues as they were tested on the acura's twin. In addition, unless they have a real reason to inspect/remove/replace that part, they are unlikely to even notice that it is there as it will generally have a Honda part number stamped on it and will "look OE."

I'm sure the intarweb bullies here will find some fault with what I've said but considering my advice may save you lots of money and aggravation in the future.

 

Not always correct. There are two things to consider here:

1. You're referring to the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act. That act prohibits a manufacturer from specifying a particular brand of replacement part. IIRC, Eureka refused warranty service on a vacuum because the owner used a non-Eureka bag.

The act requires that a manufacturer prove that a"substantially similar" replacement part caused the failure before denying warranty service. By definition, any performance part would not be "substantially similar" to the OE part and would therefore not be covered by the Act. The whole purpose of a "performance part" is to change the characteristics of a system so all the manufacture would need to show is that a part that was not "substantially similar" was used and the burden of proof shift immediately to you to prove that the aftermarket part did not cause the problem.

The same holds true for people who insist on using boutique oils (amSOIL, Royal Purple etc) in their cars. Since those oil manufacturers never bothered to actually get their oils tested by any organisation, the car manufacturer only needs to show that the warranty requirements were not followed in order to deny a lubrication related failure.

2. Even if we assume that the issue would fall under the MM act, what is your remedy? You have to go to court to sue the manufacturer or the dealer (as the manufacturer's representative.) In the meantime you either deadline your car or you pay to have it fixed.

Consider this, if the dealer denies your claim you escalate it to the manufacturer. Once the manufacturer denies it, you chances of prevailing in court aren't all that good as the manufacturer has obviously drawn a line in the sand and is willing to defend their position. Is your lawyer better than their lawyer? Are the costs associated with this legal battle worth the trouble?

It is so easy to say "they have to prove..." but the reality is often far more complex.

Yes, in theory, the manufacturer has to prove that the Osram light bulb (with the same identical specifications to the OE Bosch bulb) caused a failure, but once you've replaced that Bosch bulb with the "ultra blue xenon look" ricer special from Walmart then you've lost coming out of the gate.

 

Can't pass up the chance to call you "WhiteT" as I am sitting here on a train to Philly. Our resident grown up, ceb, has made some very valid points with his horrific experiences with BMW. However, you have an Acura and not some finicky over engineered German sled. Use your common sense. If you think you will run into warranty issues because you lowered your suspension on coil overs and have big rims, then don't do it. If an Acura dealer wants to deny your warranty because they don't like the way you look, they will find a way even if you don't have any mods. With that said, what's on your shopping list of mods OLD MAN (since you have a few years on me) ? May suggest the following?

Megan EZ coild : $650 shipped
Progress RSB: $170
Lightweight 18 or 19" rims with tires: $2000-$3000
CT-E Ice Box: $425
P2R down pipe: $260
P2R TB Spacer: $100
CT-E Cat back exhaust: $1100
Stop Tech BBK: $1700

Adds up quickly don't it? lol

 

LOL I don't think anyone noticed that WhiteT is 40 years old........or so his profile says...

 

Not a bad list - for you, but that wouldn't be my list nor may it be for the OP.

As always, the OP needs to determine what he wants from the car and what the car might be lacking.

I can tell you from personal experience that a Stoptech or Brembo BBK is an absolute waste of money (performance wise) unless you are planning on tracking the car. As a DD (even if you consider yourself an agressive driver) the BBK is going to bring you nothing but extra noise. A set of braided brake lines and some more agressive pads will probably bring more real world bang for the buck.

The RSB will certainly neutralize the body and steering a bit but may cause some added harshness and noise.

Larger wheels may be a headache depending on the roads he normally drives and the larger wheels bring more weight in both wheel and tire. A true track car will generally run a 16 or 17 wheel/tire to find that sweet spot between weight and handling. A larger wheel (with the corresponding skinnier sidewall) is purely for looks - not bad, but don't kid yourself into thinking that a bigger wheel gives you more performance.

Engine mods really are subjective and depend on that threshhold of risk because they (and the lowered suspension) are most likely to give you warranty grief (along with ECU mods)

If I were doing a suspension, then I'd do the Euro Accord one in a heartbeat. A nice conservative drop and obviously engineered for our cars - complete with different part numbers depending on engine and tranny - something few aftermarked companies bother doing.

You're right, I base my experiences on the German auto scene (BMW, Audi, VW) but the same principles apply. I was with my wife at the local Honda dealer getting a service (almost as cheap as an indy) when the guy in front of us nearly broke down in tears when he was told what the repair on his botched amp install was going to cost and he was adamant that the dealer couldn't deny warranty coverage on his lighting system because it was "only the radi he messed with."

On the BMW side, there are even a few instances where the entire was voided by the manufacturer based upon previous mods. One guy had taken his car in for regular servicing (BMW has included servicing) when a tech noted his numerous mods in the computer. The owner then (badly) removed his mods and was denied warranty service on a transmission noise. He escalated it up to corporate who said "not only won't we cover this failure, but we will not repair ANY future failures under warranty" - all because he was in a hurry to remove his CAI and left some clips dangling.

This debacle went on for ever and I believe he finally reached some sort of agreement with BMW that wasn't favorable to him but left his car unbranded - something that would have made his car literally worthless.

 

Thank you very much everyone for respond to my thread.
PyroDave: no cant do. I did submit some of the high rep.company like TEINs, Eibach,Vork, Enkei to Acura but the answer still the same.
It's rayden: I can't reverse my mod cuz there are marker everywhere...those technician will know.
Benben:really love your work to your car...for nowi have plan to go with TEINs coil, RSB, and 17" light weight wheel, and possibly BBK ( When it reach 5k miles).
Uhmmmm,,,what took you so long to respond my thread Ceb. Lol jk....you are so right bout being ready(financially), mature, and responsible when it comes to modding your car. I live in America for 24 years and haven't had a ticket( not even a parking ticket). I have a beautiful wife and a 5 yrs old daughter, we both making a very nice pay job. I WILL NOT mod my car unless the car is paid off. I had own 3 mod cars in the past( Fairlady, SR20DET,and MR2) I treat them well as a member of my family.
Why I picked this car? Because we Have test a several and we like the way TSX perform,handling,reliable, and the trims of it.( SE model) .
Why I mod my car: I believe that there are few things I can do to improve this car become my dream car and my wife can be able to drive and enjoy it too.
What I am going to do with my car? TEINs( Better suspension for look, perform and FEEL)
17x8 5zigen wheel ...as of tires: may 245.45.17 would work. And a nice set of rear sway bar....that's all for now till the supper charger kit being develope for the 2 gen.total estimate bout 15 k of modding. Is it worth it to me? Yes.
Tell me what's wrong with this picture : after a long hard working week, my daughter and I going to wash my car, detail it, shinning the wheels, cleanning the front mount inter cooler.and take her out for a mild ride.
So in my option, to be young :YES,,, to be ignorant: NO

 

Oh yea by the way,,, I am not going to put a 200 shot of nitrous in the back of my car and shoot out every 1/4 mile on the streets, I am not gonna put my movie theatre sound system in the trunk and max out in public, iam not going to bright out my head light with 1000o k light bulbs, and finailly not gonna slam my car hehehe.. You get my point

 

OP, that "young and ignorant" was certainly not directed at you and not at others who are responsible. It WAS, however, directed at a couple of people here that tend to try to derail every thread with their snotty remarks that don't add value to the conversation.

It sounds like you are considering the advantages and disadvantages of each mod before you do it, so you'll be fine. I'd also suggest only doing one mod at a time so that you can figure out which one may be causing you issues.

 

Why not - oh yeah, you don't have a wagon so the home theater won't fit.

 

I DO HAVE A WAGON ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^






but at the end of the day..........if you mod KNOW your warranty may be in jeopardy.

then its a matter of choice and risk........which are PERSONAL CHOICES that lots of us on this board choose to take.

of course, some dont, some hate, some comment, some offer opinions, etc. i personally do whaterver I choose. Its my risk, its my warranty, .....


and ITS MY RIDE/


///

 

Nothing.. My 2 youngest (10 and 5 yr old) are into cars like me. Hence the soon to be new addition of a 2011 RX8 R3 version so we can participate in auto-x events on the weekends.

 

Absolutely correct

When can we expect to see the Klipschhorns in the back - or were you going to use Cornerhorns?

My rants are usually against uninformed modding, where people just buy crap willy-nilly because they saw it somewhere, they have no idea what it really does, then are all surprised when it breaks something - and warranty doesn't cover it - or they get a ticket and get all bent out of shape at the cop.

 

ceb has a point about the whole warranty thing. as long as the dealer wants to void your warranty, they will do it.

with that said...that hasnt stopped anyone from modding lol, so im not gonna repeat what everyone said.

happy modding and welcome to the forum

 

My comments are not intended to keep anyone from modding. I only want people to carefully consider what they are doing before they do it.

Too bad if some of you consider that a buzz kill.

 

Ok fellas...I think it's time to close this thread...I have made a decision already, I am going start to mod my car but I am taking Ceb opinion to start out slow and one at a time...thank you very much for everyone to put in ur effort..happy modding to all and good luck. Will post pics and keep you guys posted.....oh by the way, can some one pls show me how to post pic up here ,,,I'm dummie on this

 

upload it to something like photobucket, then just click the img code and paste it here. also a lesson to learn, 2G TSX threads do not simply "close". they are derailed, abused, raped, and then reused until a new thread appears. the community is like a parasite =) you'll have fun here

 

Kool thank you Dave and I'll keep that "close"thing in mind.

 

please use imgur.com

there are trillions and trillions of "image has been moved or deleted" that I am sick of seeing on car forums.

http://imgur.com/

 

All in all, modding is a hobby. On one end you have a guy who straps on a T88H turbo to a stock motor, another who chooses a low boost system that's reasonable for a street car, then others on the opposite end of the spectrum who won't or don't do anything. To each their own.

FWIW, larger wheels and tires aren't always heavier, some good forged wheels are lighter and there's a good range of tires lighter than others. Decreasing the unsprung weight does improve acceleration, braking and cornering.

Larger wheels/tires are mostly for aesthetics, but larger rotor kits like AEM's or BBK's usually follow suit because the larger wheels make the brakes look puny. When it comes to Honda/Acura, their OE brake systems leave a lot to be desired, IMHO. I've had Brembo GT's, on cars & trucks and with a cool stop or posi-quiet compounds and haven't had any noise issues. Then again, a friend with Cobra R Brembo's had "knockback" due to worn wheel bearings, so, your experience could vary.

OP, do your research to manage your own expectations. Attend some car shows in your area & talk to some of the people there. Unless someone is sponsored by a particular manufacturer, they're likely to give you honest input. Some would be happy to offer a ride to sample "X" mod & see if it's right for you.

If you modify your suspension, you could have warranty issues. Same goes for engine or management mods. You could have a completely stock vehicle and have your warranty voided for a known design issue (S2000 rear diff explosions) IF you leave your timeslips in the glovebox.

All of you could and should attend an SCCA or local club autocross with your stock vehicle, learn how to handle your cars at the limit, then experience what well chosen mods can do for you. Autocrossing is a great way to become a better driver, a safer driver, and have fun doing it.

http://www.martinsportscarclub.net/

Mods...because stock sucks.