Hello!
I have a 2014 wrx sedan (limited) so that should make the questions below easier.
So I've been talking with some friends who chose a different route with their cars when it came to stock vs modding and all of that fun stuff. Some drive WRX's like us while others drive anything from FWD Si's to RWD German or American coupes. I have been bitten by the mod bug pretty hard lately and have been filling up that empty void with cosmetic work to the car, but it does not seem like enough anymore. I really want to do some performance based mods besides what I already have, which is a catback and some solid tires on the car, which isn't much of course. But I do have a concern about the volatile nature of our cars since we always hear stories about blown ring-lands and other fun problems coming up with even the simplest touch to the vehicle.
With that said, I have a few questions listed below, and would greatly appreciate some people taking a moment to address them!
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1 - It is apparently very common for WRX's to have ringland failure, especially on models from 2008 and up. I have come across articles and videos saying that even a "stock tune" can still cause ringland failures. Knowing this happens I probably will keep the car on a "stock tune" even though everyone urges me to go to a "stage 1 tune" for a more smooth and quicker ride. If I keep the car stock I should be fine if God forbid a ringland DOES blow but I still have warranty and they will cover it right? No questions or issues about that?
2 - If I do my own oil change (following the owner's manual and warranty manual on when to do the changes) will that void my warranty? I know if you use oil that is NOT recommended that voids the warranty, but what about taking care of the simple job yourself?
3 - I plan to improve the handling of the car down the road (bad pun intended) so I wanted to know that if I improve say, for example, the brake: pads/rotors/calipers/fluid from aftermarket parts (not STI or SPT) will that void warranty?
4 - A question on the side, but is it true that these cars start having major clutch and transmission problems around 50k miles even if they are never launched hard, abused, or taken to the drag strip or a race track? Everyone has some spirited driving from time to time, but if you do not go to any race tracks or drag strips or rally courses then you should be fine correct?
5 - Does anyone have any suggestions for mods and improvements to my car that will not void warranty or cause any problems in the future?
6 - Is there anything anyone here recommends for me to follow to make sure that my engine doesn't blow? I'm being serious haha.
I have a 2014 wrx sedan (limited) so that should make the questions below easier.
So I've been talking with some friends who chose a different route with their cars when it came to stock vs modding and all of that fun stuff. Some drive WRX's like us while others drive anything from FWD Si's to RWD German or American coupes. I have been bitten by the mod bug pretty hard lately and have been filling up that empty void with cosmetic work to the car, but it does not seem like enough anymore. I really want to do some performance based mods besides what I already have, which is a catback and some solid tires on the car, which isn't much of course. But I do have a concern about the volatile nature of our cars since we always hear stories about blown ring-lands and other fun problems coming up with even the simplest touch to the vehicle.
With that said, I have a few questions listed below, and would greatly appreciate some people taking a moment to address them!
---
1 - It is apparently very common for WRX's to have ringland failure, especially on models from 2008 and up. I have come across articles and videos saying that even a "stock tune" can still cause ringland failures. Knowing this happens I probably will keep the car on a "stock tune" even though everyone urges me to go to a "stage 1 tune" for a more smooth and quicker ride. If I keep the car stock I should be fine if God forbid a ringland DOES blow but I still have warranty and they will cover it right? No questions or issues about that?
2 - If I do my own oil change (following the owner's manual and warranty manual on when to do the changes) will that void my warranty? I know if you use oil that is NOT recommended that voids the warranty, but what about taking care of the simple job yourself?
3 - I plan to improve the handling of the car down the road (bad pun intended) so I wanted to know that if I improve say, for example, the brake: pads/rotors/calipers/fluid from aftermarket parts (not STI or SPT) will that void warranty?
4 - A question on the side, but is it true that these cars start having major clutch and transmission problems around 50k miles even if they are never launched hard, abused, or taken to the drag strip or a race track? Everyone has some spirited driving from time to time, but if you do not go to any race tracks or drag strips or rally courses then you should be fine correct?
5 - Does anyone have any suggestions for mods and improvements to my car that will not void warranty or cause any problems in the future?
6 - Is there anything anyone here recommends for me to follow to make sure that my engine doesn't blow? I'm being serious haha.