GEN 2 Whipple Stage 1, dealer installed

Hi all,

My dealer has a customs department that installs a Whipple Stage 1 kit (intercooler, CAI, tune). They honor the warranty, from reading it looks like Ford doesn't honor it but the dealer will?

My question, do I bite the bullet (it's around $3500), the parts alone are around $2100 looking at Whipples website, the dealer would then charge $1400 for a 3 hour install? Doesn't sound right, they also said they keep the Whipple Tuner that comes with it for "warranty" work. In case they need to update the tune etc...

Just wanted your thoughts on this? I am fairly mechanically inclined, I could do this myself, however, the warranty is what gets me. I currently have a 2019 with 8k miles on it.

I had my dealer do the install, but I bought the parts. They charged the hours it took to install. So far I have not been denied any warranty work by them, including some items that I was worried would not be covered. It all boils down to the dealer and if they are willing to stand by what they say. I would get it in writing if possible, especially with paying a premium on the install. I currently have the 2018 Whipple tuned and a 2020 stock. The truck is a whole different beast with a tune on it.

Hdaniel85 said:

Hi all,

My dealer has a customs department that installs a Whipple Stage 1 kit (intercooler, CAI, tune). They honor the warranty, from reading it looks like Ford doesn't honor it but the dealer will?

My question, do I bite the bullet (it's around $3500), the parts alone are around $2100 looking at Whipples website, the dealer would then charge $1400 for a 3 hour install? Doesn't sound right, they also said they keep the Whipple Tuner that comes with it for "warranty" work. In case they need to update the tune etc...

Just wanted your thoughts on this? I am fairly mechanically inclined, I could do this myself, however, the warranty is what gets me. I currently have a 2019 with 8k miles on it.

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No way $3500 for a Cai and a tune!? The tune is really all that’s going to give you power in that kit. CAI have been proven over and over that they do not work/ marginally work and are not worth the cost. The inter cooler is good but not sure it’s necessary. You could go buy a tuner and a 5 star tune and be out the door under $1k and have the same result.

PorterW1111 said:

No way $3500 for a Cai and a tune!? The tune is really all that’s going to give you power in that kit. CAI have been proven over and over that they do not work/ marginally work and are not worth the cost. The inter cooler is good but not sure it’s necessary. You could go buy a tuner and a 5 star tune and be out the door under $1k and have the same result.

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I agree the price is steep, the issue here is that they are stating my warranty is still good (however, I plan on moving to Florida later on in the Fall, so not sure that would follow since they don't have a dealership in Florida), the other issue is they would keep the "tuner" and flash my ECU/TCM when there is an update needed ( would really like the Tuner to be with me so I can change things on the fly or use it as an OBDII reader).

My COBB AP will arrive tomorrow, I decided against doing the Whipple stage 1 kit by the dealer, the price is crazy.

I also have a AFE Magnum Force 2 CAI "Super Raptor" arriving Friday.

ArcticRaptor said:

I had my dealer do the install, but I bought the parts. They charged the hours it took to install. So far I have not been denied any warranty work by them, including some items that I was worried would not be covered. It all boils down to the dealer and if they are willing to stand by what they say. I would get it in writing if possible, especially with paying a premium on the install. I currently have the 2018 Whipple tuned and a 2020 stock. The truck is a whole different beast with a tune on it.

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Thank you for your experience with this, I was hesitant so I posted this thread. I ended up not doing it, and ordered a COBB AP / CAI from AFE to start. I've also looked into a custom tune by Goosetune, seems like it'll really wake things up!

So you have an 18 and a 20? There's a noticeable difference with just the tune? Was your TCM also tuned? or just the ECU?

Hdaniel85 said:

Thank you for your experience with this, I was hesitant so I posted this thread. I ended up not doing it, and ordered a COBB AP / CAI from AFE to start. I've also looked into a custom tune by Goosetune, seems like it'll really wake things up!

So you have an 18 and a 20? There's a noticeable difference with just the tune? Was your TCM also tuned? or just the ECU?

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Just the PCM was tuned, not the TCM. Whipple did work with Ford to update the TCM setting to the most recent Ford updates though. I have had four updates from Whipple over the couple of years that I have had it. The truck always had harsh shifting from 3-4 and 4-5, but with the new tunes, those are only noticeable in sport mode. The shifting is smooth now in normal and baja modes. I have had a few issues with the truck over the couple of years that I've owned it, so I'm gun shy to tune the new one. I plan to spend the money on appearance and suspension upgrades instead of performance.

Hdaniel85 said:

I agree the price is steep, the issue here is that they are stating my warranty is still good (however, I plan on moving to Florida later on in the Fall, so not sure that would follow since they don't have a dealership in Florida), the other issue is they would keep the "tuner" and flash my ECU/TCM when there is an update needed ( would really like the Tuner to be with me so I can change things on the fly or use it as an OBDII reader).

My COBB AP will arrive tomorrow, I decided against doing the Whipple stage 1 kit by the dealer, the price is crazy.

I also have a AFE Magnum Force 2 CAI "Super Raptor" arriving Friday.

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Just buy a SCT tuner with a 5 star or similar tune on it. Whenever you go in for warranty work just set the tube back to stock. I wouldn’t even buy the Whipple kit especially if you already have the intake coming.

PorterW1111 said:

Just buy a SCT tuner with a 5 star or similar tune on it. Whenever you go in for warranty work just set the tube back to stock. I wouldn’t even buy the Whipple kit especially if you already have the intake coming.

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Yeah thats what I ended up doing, I decided against the dealer option. It's costly and it won't end up transferring to another dealer when I move. Thank you!

+1 Porter.

SCT X4 Tuner from JDM Engineering or the custom tune from Offroad Alliance are the best out there. And they both address the transmission tune as well, throttle response (similar to Pedal Commander) all relatively cheap for the email setup $400 or $750-$800 for the regular set up.

As far as Whipple, per Ford Rep the intercooler, CAI, any exhaust and tune together, independently or a combination there of DO NOT VOID any part of the 5/60 warranty. Whipple is who Shelby, Rousch and SCA Performance use with no issues on the warranty. Ford accepts their products and was consulted with by Whipple when designing the CAC (Intercooler) and the CAI. Anyone who says different is lying and trying to sell you what they have or their margins are greater if they unload what they stock.

Secondly per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act of 1975, it is illegal for a dealer or manufacturer to deny any claims or any work under warranty by claiming any and all aftermarket parts caused the damage, excessive enough to damage the vehicle, motor, powertrain, electronics, etc. Which is to say they can tell you that buy not keeping oil in the car, blowing up the motor is your fault but they can't say because you used Mobil 1 oil and filter as opposed to Motorcraft you have voided your manufacturers warranty.

Neither Ford or any dealer in the country can prove that your motor blew up because of your intake. Now if they investigate and find the intake clogged with paper, leaves, dirt, twigs, etc and you still attempted to drive the vehicle then yes you are screwed but not by the equipment on the vehicle but rather operator negligence.

Hope this help. Good luck.

MikeLadd said:

+1 Porter.

SCT X4 Tuner from JDM Engineering or the custom tune from Offroad Alliance are the best out there. And they both address the transmission tune as well, throttle response (similar to Pedal Commander) all relatively cheap for the email setup $400 or $750-$800 for the regular set up.

As far as Whipple, per Ford Rep the intercooler, CAI, exhaust and tune together, independently or a combination there of DO NOT VOID any part of the 5/60 warranty. Whipple is who Shelby, Rousch and SCA Performance use with no issues on the warranty. Ford accepts their products and was consulted with by Whipple when designing the CAC (Intercooler) and the CAI. Anyone who says different is lying and trying to sell you what they have or their margins are greater if they unload what they stock.

Secondly per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act of 1975, it is illegal for a dealer or manufacturer to deny any claims or any work under warranty by claiming any and all aftermarket parts caused the damage, excessive enough to damage the vehicle, motor, powertrain, electronics, etc. Which is to say they can tell you that buy not keeping oil in the car, blowing up the motor is your fault but they can't say because you used Mobil 1 oil and filter as opposed to Motorcraft you have voided your manufacturers warranty.

Neither Ford or any dealer in the country can prove that your motor blew up because of your intake. Now if they investigate and find the intake clogged with paper, leaves, dirt, twigs, etc and you still attempted to drive the vehicle then yes you are screwed but not by the equipment on the vehicle but rather operator negligence.

Hope this help. Good luck.

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yeah I ended up going with a COBB Access Port and custom tune by GooseTuned, it's a whole new animal now!