I want to get a torque converter so bad now after seeing the results on another LS1 A4 f-body (half a second difference). Will it void my warranty????

My father will hang me if my warranty were voided because of some mod. Will they be able to find out?

I need to know because I don't want to be hanged.

Thanks.

 

I would think so because its harder on the tranny, correct me if I am wrong somebody.

 

It is my understanding that any modification we make has to be directly linked to an afrermarket part for the failure. An aftermarket torque converter would not result in a failure of the air conditioner but if there was a problem with the transmission there may be a problem. There is a page on the SEMA website about what our rights are when it comes to warrenty coverage. Now the disclaimer. I am not lawyer. Check the SEMA website and talk to your service manager. It your $$.

 

Well, i know for a fact here in Southern CA if they notice an aftermarket stall (perhaps a flashy pink Vigilante) under the hood they will void the warranty (for affected parts). I know other states are a little more relaxed on their warranty policies (especially with headers and such), but I'm almost sure in any situation a torque converter would void a portion of the warranty because it is considerably more strain on the tranny. I don't know if your entire warranty will be voided because of it though.

Just be discreet about getting a converter if you really really want one (I know I want one too) and so long as it isn't too noticeable you should be fine. I know a guy with a bird that races around here and he has been able to keep his aftermarket converter on the DL.

Les

 

Nothing can void your entire warranty (other than the vehicle receiving a salvage title). If you modify your car and that modification directly causes another part to fail then they can deny your warranty claim on that part (if they can prove that the aftermarket part caused the failure). This does not mean your warranty is "void". Your warranty is still in full effect for everthing else even if the claim is denied. If you get the converter and then break something that they can blame on it (ie transmition, rearend) then just take the converter out before it goes in for the work.

 

Well how many people here have a torque converter and are still under warranty? Anybody? Have you encountered any problems?

What do you guys think? What would you do in my shoes?

 

It sounds like me and you are in similar situations. I am 19 and just bought a 2002 z28. I still live with my parents and I am paying for the car and college right now. My dad will also be pissed with me if I get a warranty claim denied but I bought the car for myself, so if i screw it up it is my fault and my loss. If my dad was paying for my car, there is no way I would risk pissing him off by screwing up something he bought for me. Anyway, I am putting in a torque converter in the spring (probably a Vig 3200). Hopefully there will be no problems. Maybe someone else will let us know how a trip to the dealer went after they got the converter. Good luck

 

Being that your 19(correct?) and just got the car not too long ago, I personally wouldn't do it while the car is under the control of your parents. "Most" dealerships that I've known or seen will throw the book at you if you come in there with an aftermarket stall & shift kit. Their pretty much going to know you've been doing some kind of racing with the car. Stick to the lid, ram-air, & cat-back for now if your worried about the warranty. And even those mods can raise red flags with dealers(even though that is utterly ridiculous). Just think, the "real" fun begins after college.

Mike

2002 M6 Z28

 

Vigilante claims their converter won't void the warrenty. Of course, they're not the ones doing the work, but maybe they've made an agreement with the major dealers or something. Who knows.

Nate

 

If your tranny goes, yes they will void it. If your power window stops working, or something not related to your tranny goes, then no they will not void your warranty.

 

....what are the odds of a tranny failing because of a stall converter??? Has anyone who's run a stall TC had their tranny fail because of it??

I'm just asking because I know a tranny shop near me who installed a shift kit in my '81 Z28 would not install a stall converter in anyone's car --- they would order & supply you with one, but they would not install them, since they had a lot of people come back and complain about problems related to TC's......................I guess because they tend to make the motor run at higher RPM's per given speeds, and they allowed much more "slippage" in the tranny, people were noticing worse mileage and failing transmissions?! Are these some true "side effects" of installing a stall converter??? And is that why lots of people install separate tranny coolers (and sometimes deeper tranny pans?) to try and keep the transmission cooler???

If that's the case, I think I'd rather keep the stock converter, but just lower the gears (thinking of 3.73's) to get a better hole-shot, yet save/prolong the life of the tranny.

......................maybe a few opinions on that please??

 

I think the point here is that every dealership is different, and that's what it really comes down to. The book can say whatever, but they're the guys doing the work so it's really their call. My dealership was cool with service but they did a ****ty job. I had a dynomax cat-back, that was it, and they didn't even mention it except once "sounds pretty good for a 6er" Check with your dealership and ask other people who bought from there how they feel about the service. It's all relative.