Another New Guy... from CO

[drod1985]

Hey Gang,

Just thought that I'd say hello since I just created my account after a few weeks of checking out pics and poaching all yer ideas. There are some sweet lgt's on here, and can't wait to post pics of my '09.

Quick, maybe stupid, questions - why can't you have a short ram intake w/ the cobb accessports? also, do all downpipes (more specifically the ones w/ cats) void warranty?

Thanks in advance.

D-Rod

[TSi+WRX]

Quick, maybe stupid, questions - why can't you have a short ram intake w/ the cobb accessports? also, do all downpipes (more specifically the ones w/ cats) void warranty?


Welcome to teh .org! :tup:

There are no stupid questions. :)

The problem with most intakes is that it will somewhat alter the MAF reading or A/F ratio - in a way which, dependent on the specific, unique vehicle (i.e. "your '09 LGT" versus "my '09 LGT" versus "his '09 LGT"), may cause the headroom that Cobb has left on its off-the-shelf maps to be exceeded or skewed.

Given the potential dangers of A/F concerns, this is why Cobb will insist that you get a specific-to-vehicle tune for any intake-tract modifications, including just removing the intake resonator/silencer and/or using even just an aftermarket panel filter in place of the OEM.

The one exception, as you've undoubtedly seen, is with the Cobb SF Intake, which they've been able to test and engineer in-house, of course, to suit their own AccessPORT maps.

As for warranty, remember, there's no such thing as "voiding the warranty." That's a statement that ethically sub-standard dealerships like to whip out to scare ignorant customers into compliance.

As consumers, we're protected by the federal Consumer Product Warranties law, aka the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The investigating party must prove that the aftermarket product used contributed directly to the failure against which the warranty claim was made, and the only part of such service that can be denied must be specifically related in this manner.

Given that an aftermarket DP is typically used in conjunction with an aftermarket engine-management solution, you can bet that if you present to the dealership with a powertrain warranty claim, and they see that you've tampered with that part of the car, they'll investigate the ECU - and currently, *any* ECU reflash *will* leave a tell-tale trace.

It's a pay-to-play game, just like anything else automotive related.

I knew, the first time I laid hands on her, that I was going to be taking responsibility.

When I talked to my service manager about my clutch, he asked if I wanted to claim warranty service. I looked at him straight in the eye, tried not to laugh, and said: "with these modifications, you're asking me that question?" :) "No," I said, "this one is completely out-of-pocket."

When I showed up in the afternoon, with my 3-year-old daughter, to pick up the car, Anna asked, with only the seriousness a 3-year-old can muster: "Dada, when is Winky's clutch going to wear out again?"

I replied: "Well, honey, that depends on how much your Daddy's going to abuse it."

At which point, all the techs broke out laughing. :tup:

[john]

Welcome aboard from Castle Rock. :)

[drod1985]

Thanks, John & Senor Winky. My brother lives down in The Rock (meadows area). Maybe you'll see the ninja cruisin around town. Anywho, I should have read up a little bit more on the CAI vs. AP situation bc TSI has answered that question about 50x over the past few years so my bad. I do appreciate the knowledge tho, brother! I'm hooked on the intake sound, so it might be tough to switch back to the OEM if I go ahead and git er tuned...

[TSi+WRX]

^ I'm addicted to the intake sound as well, bruddah, so no worries there.

It's my one big vice, when it comes to the Legacy.

Unfortunately, I stepped onto the BL/BP scene at a time when there just weren't any choices, when it came to aftermarket intakes...so I did a lot of research into the concerns, and then paid the price (repeatedly) to have my sin "compensated for." :lol:

Ever since, I've been keeping an eye on this particular side of the Legacy.

Believe it or not, I've actually got a K&N Typhoon just sitting in the garage,waiting to go on, when I finally do get the parts together to "optimize Stage II."

It's easier to have kept an eye on the issue, to let the know-how build over the years, rather than to jump in now, like you are doing, rather late in the game, when there's soooooooo much info. to sift through. So any help I can give, I try! :)

[john]

Swap back in the stock airbox and remove the silencer. That'll give you some additional noise, if you are a noise kinda guy.

We are in the Woodlands area in Castle Rock. Ninja as in motorcycle?

[drod1985]

Thanks, John. I'm considering it. I was reading up on radiator shrouds because they help direct air coming into the grill towards the stock intake snorkel besides containing/re-directing the radiator heat. Worth $100 though? I had the same concerns with the hood scoop splitter that supposedly helps the stock IC work more efficiently. I want to replace the stock IC w/ the Perrin TMIC at some point, but I'm not quite there yet. Do splitters make any difference?

I have named my LGT "The Ninja" because she is all blacked out and sneaky fast (minus the magnaflow CBE - not so sneaky). I have 15% tint on the sides and 10% in rear w/ flat black 17" Drag DR-34's.

[john]

Post up a pic of the car. This is mine, in case you are down in Castle Rock and see it. If by chance you do see it, rev on me.. :)

http://jsalmi.com/car/scaled.IMG_5386.jpg

http://jsalmi.com/car/scaled.IMG_5947.jpg

http://jsalmi.com/car/scaled.IMG_5959.jpg

[TSi+WRX]

Thanks, John. I'm considering it. I was reading up on radiator shrouds because they help direct air coming into the grill towards the stock intake snorkel besides containing/re-directing the radiator heat. Worth $100 though? I had the same concerns with the hood scoop splitter that supposedly helps the stock IC work more efficiently. I want to replace the stock IC w/ the Perrin TMIC at some point, but I'm not quite there yet. Do splitters make any difference?

I have named my LGT "The Ninja" because she is all blacked out and sneaky fast (minus the magnaflow CBE - not so sneaky). I have 15% tint on the sides and 10% in rear w/ flat black 17" Drag DR-34's.

"The Ninja!" Cool! :cool:

I truly think that neither of those particular mods are particularly necessary - nor would they make too much difference. Certainly, Zero/Sports is not a brand that's been known to market pure fluff, so that's a decent sign that these things (no matter the make, in terms of the rad. shroud) actually do at least *something*.

Are they nice to have? I do think so, and they undoubtedly can "help," but I'd say that they're things to keep on your list, to cross-off only when you have a few extra bucks laying around - but not necessarily things to pursue, outright.

DIY should be easy enough on the rad. shroud - although I don't believe that anyone has yet to try it.

DIY on helping the hood scoop seal better with the TMIC is a Scooby-world favorite. :)

[havanisda]

The Cobb rad shroud is better than the Zero/Sports as far as having more of an intake scoop.
The Zero/Sports hood scoop splitter will not work w/the Perrin TMIC. The Perrin is 2 big and it will hit. The AVO TMIC will fit.

[drod1985]

John - those are some sweet pics. I'm a big fan of the white LGT. I had a tough time choosing between black, silver, and white. One look at the black one in the showroom won me over though (plus it came with the remote starter for no additional $$). Where did you get your grill from? Looks good. If I pull up next to ya, I'll definitely give it a run!

TSI & Havanisda - thanks for the info. As for the Perrin vs. AVO TMIC, is there a preference? I see havanisda is running the AVO. Does bigger necessarily mean better? I would obviously scrap the splitter if the Perrin outperforms the AVO. I think I remember reading that the Perrin costs about $200 more roughly.

[john]

D-rod - it's an RBS grill which I bought used (nearly all of my aftermarket parts are used) from a .com member. I am looking for the same (or very similar) material to use on the lower opening - more stealth for the FMIC and a nice clean look to boot.

Have fun with the beastie!

[havanisda]

AVO fits better, allows the splitter and Rallitek has a sale on 'em a couple X/yr and they cost $700.
Perrin is a lil bigger but a PITA 2 make fit, can't run the splitter/possibly not a strut tower bar. Cost around $750.
Which is a better setup? That's difficult 2 quantify.
These are the 2 best on the market so if u want better performance than u gotta go FMIC.

[drod1985]

John - check out the pics of Matt's WRX that was done at the Suba Performance shop here in Denver. They might be able to help with ideas. The grill & FMIC look ridiculous (as in good)!
http://www.subaperformance.com/gallery_matt.html

Havanisda - thx again for the info. I am leaning towards the AVO now.

[drod1985]

Also, I talked to the guys at Suba today, and they told me to hold off on getting any DP's for the '09 AT. I guess they have yet to come across one w/out serious fitment issues. Bummer. That was going to be next, but I guess the tune will happen sooner! If anybody knows any different, please share. Thx.

[john]

The wrx looks ok, but I'm not a fan of the FMIC. I'm all about sleeper/stealth. :)

I do see Fritz (from awdpirates.net) - the green "parrot" looking thing on his mirror, so he must be a pirate as well.

I suggest you check out awdpirates.net, but bring your thick skin along. While there's a LOT of good technical info there, management gets pissed off about the smallest things...