This is an email transcript with myself and Monte Doran of Ford Communications under PR Contacts on medi.ford.com My emails are in blue and Mote of Ford is in red. Hope this information is helpful. From: Robert Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 12:28 PM To: Doran, Monte (M.C.) Subject: I have on order a 2007 GT/CS to arrive in September. I would like some clarification from Ford please on below information; After reading this article posted on the Ford news release paragraph 10 states: There’s even more style under the hood of the new California Special: The Mustang GT’s 300-horsepower 3-valve 4.6-liter V-8 gets treated to a unique engine cover that gives the engine compartment the kind of dressed-up look that you'd only expect to see at custom car show. (For those who may wish their GT/CS had a little more “go” along with all the extra “show,” the Ford Racing Performance Group offers several exciting parts packages to provide some additional kick. One popular choice is the Ford Racing Power Pack, which includes a 90mm Cold Air kit, a performance Muffler Kit and the special Ford Racing engine calibration – good for about 20 additional horsepower at the rear wheels. Visit www.fordracingparts.com for details.) http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=23078 Would Ford post to add the Power Pack to void the warranty? The article from Ford that I can see does not say anything about voiding the warranty. I would appreciate some clarification, because if I am allowed to add the power pack Stage 1 from Ford Racing per the article I probably will consider it. Regards, Robert "Doran, Monte \(M.C.\)" <mdoran8@ford.com> 08/18/2006 12:16 PM To <RobertMiley@ifsolutions.com> cc Subject RE: Robert: Currently, the Ford Racing Power Pack does void the warranty. That said, we have tested and validated the pack for durability, and are confident it is safe. It's also been certified to be legal in all 50 states. We are currently working to include the Power Pack on the new-car warranty. The biggest hurdle is the Pack was designed to be a bolt-on that pretty much anyone can do, which makes it hard to warranty against improper installation. Hope you enjoy the GT/CS. Monte. From: Robert Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 1:30 PM To: Doran, Monte (M.C.) Subject: RE: We are currently working to include the Power Pack on the new-car warranty. By this does this only include vehicles purchased after the date of resolution? Or would it also include all vehicles already purchased? Hopefully the later so I can have something to look forward to. Regards, Robert "Doran, Monte \(M.C.\)" <mdoran8@ford.com> 08/18/2006 01:20 PM To Robert Subject RE: We want to make it so you can install the Ford Racing parts on a Mustang after initial purchase, so you have something to look forward to. MD. Conclusion being Looks like hope for those worried about warranty issues, myself included. However how long shall we have to wait.
The wife will crap if suddenly things become covered by warranty. The whole reason for me buying the 07 instead of keeping the foxes was, I wouldn't live in the garage modding, or trying to improve 1/4 mile times. I am getting little ideas in my head now, even though I knew there was ways around modding without voiding warranty before.
Rad, as I previously stated before..Your dealer canno't void your warranty, unless it's proven that the FRPP power pack, was directly responsible for causing your engine or powertrain, to fail.. Also, your dealership canno't legally void your warranty, for just the sake of installing an aftermarket part..However, in the event that Ford does decide to include the power pack ? There's something you need to realize ?? it will only cover their Pro calibration tool, in which won't provide you with any real performance gains, because their flash tuner has a very conservative tune..I also listed in an earlier thread that it was tested in 5.0 mustang and fast ford magazine, and it actually lost 4HP and 4ft.lbs of torque, compared to the stock airbox, w/no tune..However, I went ahead and purchased the Steeda CAI and SCT X-Cal II flash tuner, direct from Steeda who by the way, designs the FRPP cold air kit, for Ford In fact, if you check out Steeda's website, you'll see for yourself that both cold air kits are exactly the same..And if your worried about your dealer giving you a hard time ?? all you need to do, is re-flash back to stock, and re-install your factory airbox and your dealer will not know that you re-flashed your computer..The only code that may come up is called a P-1000 code which is nothing more, but says re-testing of your PCM is not complete..In fact the very same code, comes up, by just disconnecting your battery..So if your ever asked ?? all you need to say is, you disconnected your battery terminals, to clean the posts..Or even better yet, just find another dealer, that is also a Ford racing parts dealer..I have a local Ford dealer in my area, who's also a Roush dealer and all they asked of me, is whenever I bring my car in for servicing, just make sure to re-flash back to stock and re-install the factory airbox and I haven't had any problems or issues at all..Anyway, just something you may want to consider as an alternative..
Red how we love this topic. Just adding information not second guessing previous threads. The Service manager from my local Ford dealer who is also a Ford Racing Dealer is the one that told me that they would never void the warranty. However he said that if anything went wrong and they did see a CAI even if it was one that did not require a tuner they would have to tell Ford what mods the car had if they were checking the car for a problem. Then it would be Ford's decision. Of course those are all words and until tested it will vary from dealer to dealer. He did say that having it does not void a warranty but puts you at risk if something did happen. He also quoted what is on the Ford racing website. "These are not for street use and for racing only" or something like that. And I understand how to get around the Ford scanners by what you stated above. But what do you do if you break down on the side of the road and don't have time or capabilites to reflash the computer. I know that is rare but it is just a risk one might think of. Maybe this is a dead topic but it still seems to pop up in several threads. And if FORD does open the door to their power pack then the loop hole may be opened for others.
It won't be a dead topic, until Ford makes up it's mind.. They honor the factory warranty on the Shelby GT-H and Shelby GT that's due to hit dealerships, in January.. But when it comes to us enthusiasts who want to install the FRPP 1 on our Mustangs, they slam the door in our face..Either honor the warranty on all FRPP installed Mustang's or not at all...
I think they have a MAJOR problem in their public relations department. Because even in the add they posted about the GT/CS they tell you to go get the Ford Power Pack and when you ask them about it they only say . I would like to take a plastic bat to their tiny little heads. Ford has done great with their cars so they now need to improve their wish/wossy PR department. Nothing I hate more than to be told one thing that has all these hidden BS that they want to cover their but on.
Just got this email. A little vague but must be good if he said it like he did. Robert - sorry for my delayed reply. We have some news regarding warranty on FRPP coming this month, I'm not able to give you all of the details but I think you will be pleased. Whitney E. Drake Ford Brand Public Affairs Bold Moves, Brand DNA and Racing Manager wdrake@ford.com 313.323.8564 phone 313.574.8732 mobile www.fordboldmoves.com Got second email saying something might be know by mid month.
I know the FRPP has the problem of the conservative tune. BUT is there anyway that it can be modified by say someone like bamachips? I am not that familiar with the FRPP tuner and would like some info help. I know the other issue about they should not be able to void warranty but would it be nice to not have to worry about changing back to stock whenever you go in for service because they always try and put the scare threat on you. Whether they can or can not void warranty they can make it difficult to get your service done. How each dealer handles things is definitly different.
The FRPP pro cal tool is not user adjustable, therefore it canno't be modified..However, even if someone like Bamachips were able to somehow modify the conservative tune, I highly doubt he would mess with it anyhow and even if he could, I'm sure that once the device was modified, you would end up voiding your warranty anyhow, so in the end you would be no furthur ahead from where you started to begin with..But you could always ask Bamachips and see what he says, but I'm sure he's also going to recommend you get an SCT X-Cal II, just as Jason from Steeda did..Btw, I thought you were going with the Steeda CAI/SCT tuner combo ?? As for your dealer trying to put scare threats upon you ? as I previously mentioned before, shop around for a different Ford dealer until you find one that won't resort to scare tactics..However, your going to have to reflash back to stock before taking you car in for service anyhow and here's why..One thing you want to watch out for is the dealer doing periodic reflashes without asking you. Ford "revises" the computer programming from time-to-time based on warranty issues, customer complaints, programming upgrades, etc. Many dealers will reflash your computer as a matter of habit without telling you - once your car is in their hands....and if they reflash over your custom tune - you can no longer use your tuner because it will lock up resulting from it's inability to locate your custom tune files, that were just deleted by the upgraded stock files your dealer just installed .....I'd rather simply avoid any potential issues by returning to stock programming, disconnecting the batt cable and then driving a few cycles to clear any P-1000 codes and not have to worry.
Red I will probably end up getting the Steeda CAI/tuner package but was just curious about the other. I also bet that even if they start saying that the FRPP can not be a reason for Ford to deny any work they only limit it to the FRPP. But hopefully that will open the door for others. I was not referring to my dealer giving threats but it is the majority conecsus that several dealers say that adding anything voids warranty. Maybe it is taught the first day of Ford Class. I just got that email today and figured I would post for public information. It is for those out there who read it to decide what they want to do. I bet if we polled how many ignored the dealer threats we would find that more than 50% have the add ons even if it could be a warranty problem (but I am not saying it does)
What I meant was, if for ie you would have someone like Bamachips modify the FRPP's pro cal tool and that's if it could even be done ?? more than likely, Ford would void the warranty on the pro cal tool for having somebody tamper with it..and yes, I know what you mean about certain Ford dealers, trying to intimdate their customers by using scare tactics and you could definitely include me as one of those 50% that would ignore those sort of dealers anyhow..Besides, if a simple add on such as the FRPP/Steeda CAI is factory installed on both the Shelby GT-H and the Shelby GT that will be arriving in dealerships in January, then how can it possibly cause any type of engine or powertrain failure on the Mustang GT ?? It just doesn't make any logical sense at all.. And once you install your Steeda CAI/X-Cal tuner, your going to know you made the right decision..I sure know that I did
