Will a after market muffler drasticly decrease the future value of my car?

I just bought a new 2002 Z28 and I am planning to keep it for a long time and hopfully alow it to be a collector's item. But I really want an after market muffler. Will replacing the muffler drasticly affect the future of my car? What if I keep the factory muffler and if I wanted to reinstall the factory would that work? Also how will replacing the muffler void my car's warrenty?

Teksion

If you get a cat back system (many available, search for opinions on the best) you can just bolt it on and then put your stock exhaust back on at any time. The stock exhaust can be removed in one piece if you ever want to put it back on. It is easier to just cut it off so that is what I did when I put my loudmouth on.

BTW no part can completely void your warranty. A claim can only be denied if the aftermarket part directly caused another part to fail and GM would have a hard time proving that an exhaust caused anything to fail.

When I looked at buying a WRX and adding the optional STI Muffler which is a factory option would void the warrenty because if the muffler was to backfire they would not pay for the repairs. I was afraid that the same principle applied to my warrenty.

I have a cut-out on my car and haven't had any warranty problems. And no, I seriously doubt that a muffler will make much of a difference in the value of the car unless it was a special one the on the SS.

Unfortunately, It's usually up to you to prove the aftermarket part DIDN'T do the damage. If you are concerned with your warranty, don't change ANYTHING or keep all of your original parts.

Originally posted by dkeers
BTW no part can completely void your warranty. A claim can only be denied if the aftermarket part directly caused another part to fail and GM would have a hard time proving that an exhaust caused anything to fail.

Originally posted by gillbot
Unfortunately, It's usually up to you to prove the aftermarket part DIDN'T do the damage. If you are concerned with your warranty, don't change ANYTHING or keep all of your original parts.

Technically, the burdon of proof is on GM/the dealer to prove that it did cause the damage. What actually happens in real life... well, that's up to your dealer.

Did you buy the car for yourself or for the person you are planning on selling it to in the future? Enjoy your car. If that means strapping a blower on it, do it. If you want to throw an aftermarket exhaust system on, go for it.

Originally posted by teksion
I just bought a new 2002 Z28 and I am planning to keep it for a long time and hopfully alow it to be a collector's item. But I really want an after market muffler. Will replacing the muffler drasticly affect the future of my car? What if I keep the factory muffler and if I wanted to reinstall the factory would that work?

If you use a hoist, you can pull the factory muffler off intact, and reinstall it later. No big deal. I cut mine at the muffler because I did the swap in my garage.

For collector value, buy a fully optioned SS and put it on blocks. It won't depreciate as rapidly as other GM fare.

Otherwise, use it and enjoy....

DaveH

You've bought a Camaro, and driven it off the lot. Once the title is in your name, and its parked in your drive way - you've already drasticly decrease the future value of your car.

If you haven't noticed, these cars really don't keep their value. Yeah its cool to have one of the last.....but don't look for any money in a turn-around sale for about another 15-20 years.

Drive your car, and have fun with it. Get a different exhaust, just keep the old one.

Milo

Thanks yall. I probably will have to wait till I go to college tochange any major parts out because it will take this year to get all the money together. But thanks for the advice.