Engine minor engine mods and insurance
Discussion
I own a 1.6 16V Zetec Focus, 2001 model (indicators built in with headlights)
So far i have a K&N air filter,
Straight through scorpian exhaust system
2 amps and 2 subs, crappy head unit (good one i blown up
)
Now i've been told so many storys/points of view as to what kind of mods do you tell you're insurance company, i know Air filters and exhausts systems you don't. But i was thinking about getting a "Focus Power Boost Valve"
" If your car is equipped with electronic fuel injection, a Power Boost Valve will give you an instant increase in power. Instant, in that you will notice as soon as you open the throttle, and instant, because it is simple bolt on on or remote fit fitting - directly replacing your existing fuel pressure control valve."
So im merly replacing old engine parts with new ones, like my old air filter with a new one.
My main worry is that my insurance will be invalid if i crash, not that i intend to. Do i have to tell my insurance company? And do they HAVE to insure stuff on my car, surly i can have my car insured as well as having some non-insured mods. ?
So far i have a K&N air filter,
Straight through scorpian exhaust system
2 amps and 2 subs, crappy head unit (good one i blown up
) Now i've been told so many storys/points of view as to what kind of mods do you tell you're insurance company, i know Air filters and exhausts systems you don't. But i was thinking about getting a "Focus Power Boost Valve"
" If your car is equipped with electronic fuel injection, a Power Boost Valve will give you an instant increase in power. Instant, in that you will notice as soon as you open the throttle, and instant, because it is simple bolt on on or remote fit fitting - directly replacing your existing fuel pressure control valve."
So im merly replacing old engine parts with new ones, like my old air filter with a new one.
My main worry is that my insurance will be invalid if i crash, not that i intend to. Do i have to tell my insurance company? And do they HAVE to insure stuff on my car, surly i can have my car insured as well as having some non-insured mods. ?
Never heard of a power boost valve, but I assume you are talking about this:
www.fuelsystem.co.uk/pbv.htm
Fuelsytem are a respectable company, but I would like to see back to back dyno results of this unit and also how much the fuel consumption takes a dive.
Cant see that its going to make a huge difference, it's just overfueling it on acceleration.
eliot.
www.fuelsystem.co.uk/pbv.htm
Fuelsytem are a respectable company, but I would like to see back to back dyno results of this unit and also how much the fuel consumption takes a dive.
Cant see that its going to make a huge difference, it's just overfueling it on acceleration.
eliot.
Ok thanks. I take it you "Have" to insure any mods that effect BHP. But wasn't aware exhaust and air filters were one of them. Ill check it out.
Yeah thats the right valve i was talking about.
Just noticed my topic title went a bit pear shaped.
EDIT: I spoke with my misses brother whos a mechanic, he told me that i shouldn't bother with telling the insurance company about the filter and exhaust. Don't get me wrong i value everyones opinion here and im just asking everyone because im not sure what to do =)
>> Edited by FocusOwner on Tuesday 17th May 11:06
Yeah thats the right valve i was talking about.
Just noticed my topic title went a bit pear shaped.
EDIT: I spoke with my misses brother whos a mechanic, he told me that i shouldn't bother with telling the insurance company about the filter and exhaust. Don't get me wrong i value everyones opinion here and im just asking everyone because im not sure what to do =)
>> Edited by FocusOwner on Tuesday 17th May 11:06
I would recommend declaring all modifications to the insurance company.
I assume the only reason that you wouldn't declare a modification is because you are worried that the insurance company will increse your premium.
If the insurance company will increase your premium for the modification, then by not declaring it you are effectively driving without insurance.
The isurance company are the only people who can decide whether a modification is relavent to them, so therefore you have to tell them of all modifications and its up to them to ignore them or not.
I hope that makes sense!
Ian
I assume the only reason that you wouldn't declare a modification is because you are worried that the insurance company will increse your premium.
If the insurance company will increase your premium for the modification, then by not declaring it you are effectively driving without insurance.
The isurance company are the only people who can decide whether a modification is relavent to them, so therefore you have to tell them of all modifications and its up to them to ignore them or not.
I hope that makes sense!
Ian
bigbeard said:
I would recommend declaring all modifications to the insurance company.
I assume the only reason that you wouldn't declare a modification is because you are worried that the insurance company will increse your premium.
If the insurance company will increase your premium for the modification, then by not declaring it you are effectively driving without insurance.
The isurance company are the only people who can decide whether a modification is relavent to them, so therefore you have to tell them of all modifications and its up to them to ignore them or not.
I hope that makes sense!
Ian
Also remember that the insurance companies don't want to pay out on any claims if they can avoid it. Why give them an easy excuse?kevinday said:
Always tell them!
Today I went to an insurance company for a quote online. When asked if car was modded I responded yes and was 'rewarded' with a long list to check off if applicable. Both filters and exhaust were on the list.
Can anyone point at such a list, my bloody 66 mini is off the road at the moment and it's got a lot of tricks. It would be easier to have a "it's standard" list.
The "Power Boost Valve" is just a rising rate fuel pressure regulator or (depending on the application) a fixed rate fuel presssure regulator with the pressure limit slightly higher than standard.
It will do very very little if anything, the Focus uses HEGO sensor/s to ensure the AFR during various engine conditions remains in spec, as such if you raise the fuel pressure and therefore increase the flow rate through the injectors slightly this will show on the output from the HEGO sensor/s and the ECU will reduce the injector duty cycle accordingly to ensure the AFR remains in spec. In any condition where the HEGO sensor/s are not utilised all you will do is create a slightly rich condition, which as we all know will lose you power rather than gain it.
BTW that expensive air filter will, more than likely, have lost you a couple of BHP and that shiny exhaust will have made absolutely no difference to power output.... sorry!
Best Regards
Matt
It will do very very little if anything, the Focus uses HEGO sensor/s to ensure the AFR during various engine conditions remains in spec, as such if you raise the fuel pressure and therefore increase the flow rate through the injectors slightly this will show on the output from the HEGO sensor/s and the ECU will reduce the injector duty cycle accordingly to ensure the AFR remains in spec. In any condition where the HEGO sensor/s are not utilised all you will do is create a slightly rich condition, which as we all know will lose you power rather than gain it.
BTW that expensive air filter will, more than likely, have lost you a couple of BHP and that shiny exhaust will have made absolutely no difference to power output.... sorry!
Best Regards
Matt
eliot said:
Never heard of a power boost valve, but I assume you are talking about this:
<a href="www.fuelsystem.co.uk/pbv.htm">www.fuelsystem.co.uk/pbv.htm</a>
Fuelsytem are a respectable company, but I would like to see back to back dyno results of this unit and also how much the fuel consumption takes a dive.
Cant see that its going to make a huge difference, it's just overfueling it on acceleration.
eliot.
Agreed.
Quite a few ppl fit these (as a stand alone upgrade)hoping for instant gains & are generally dissapointed.Ideally the unit needs to be integrated into a performance package.
I have the sneaking feeling that the only real reason to fit an uprated fuel regulator is if you have significantly increased the cars fueling demands,i.e. with bigger:fuel pump,injectors,boost(for turbos)mapping etc.
Iirc Fuel system also make a model with a fuel pressure gauge,with may be useful if serious fettling appeals.
>> Edited by tuttle on Friday 3rd June 09:49
cazzer said:
once you get to insurance group can mods make the premium go up from there? Just wonderin
yes.
ps. all you people worried about your premium going up, try seeing how much your premium will go up with an inxx offence on your licence. Then declare your modifications. It wont be as much as you fear.
Matt, nice to see someone with a likewise mind. I've had no end of duscussion in the past about these things on closed loop controlled fuel systems. Between these and those ecotek valves people must have lost thousands.
With regards to the focus, you'd be better off with a bluefin remap on the module and take advantage of slightly increased performance due to tweaked fuelling and ignition.
With regards to the focus, you'd be better off with a bluefin remap on the module and take advantage of slightly increased performance due to tweaked fuelling and ignition.
FocusOwner said:
I spoke with my misses brother whos a mechanic, he told me that i shouldn't bother with telling the insurance company about the filter and exhaust.
Will he repair the car for free when the insurance company don't pay a claim?
Always tell your insurance company. You may consider them as thieves but you'll be committing fraud if you don't!
BTW that expensive air filter will, more than likely, have lost you a couple of BHP and that shiny exhaust will have made absolutely no difference to power output.... sorry!
Best Regards
Matt
Thx for your reply(s) But i know my exhaust and air filter dont give me any more BHP than i already have, I didnt buy them for that =)
I bought them because it looks and sounds good, it growls like a beast, not like those crappy Novas with a naff backbox or stick on pipes that sound like a 50cc skooter hehe.
But now im wanting to add bits & bobs to boost my BHP, and im not sure what to get, i thought that the power boost valve would be one of the things to have, but thx for your info on that valve Matt, i now have decided not to get it.
Any idea's?
Best Regards
Matt
Thx for your reply(s) But i know my exhaust and air filter dont give me any more BHP than i already have, I didnt buy them for that =)
I bought them because it looks and sounds good, it growls like a beast, not like those crappy Novas with a naff backbox or stick on pipes that sound like a 50cc skooter hehe.
But now im wanting to add bits & bobs to boost my BHP, and im not sure what to get, i thought that the power boost valve would be one of the things to have, but thx for your info on that valve Matt, i now have decided not to get it.
Any idea's?
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