$2800.00 Labor quote for H/C swap...really?
02-16-2012, 02:03 PM
#1
$2800.00 Labor quote for H/C swap...really? I was just recently quoted $2800.00 for labor costs alone for a H/C swap on my car. I have done this in the past and just dont have the time to do it this time around. But I may change my mind.
I understand their is some extra labor involved with my swap for a couple reasons. They have to install an electric water pump. They have to install the trunion upgrade. They have to check p to v clearance and push rod length (which I would think is done most of the time anyway)
Does anyone else think this is at least 1000.00 too expensive? With dyno tune, cost for pushrods (dont have them yet dont know the length) and some fluids etc and tax I am looking at almost 3800 bucks. I just cant pay that.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I am not sure what to say to them. They are a well known shop that does good work but I will not mention a name. I want this done right but I think this price is a bit ridiculous.
Any advice and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I understand their is some extra labor involved with my swap for a couple reasons. They have to install an electric water pump. They have to install the trunion upgrade. They have to check p to v clearance and push rod length (which I would think is done most of the time anyway)
Does anyone else think this is at least 1000.00 too expensive? With dyno tune, cost for pushrods (dont have them yet dont know the length) and some fluids etc and tax I am looking at almost 3800 bucks. I just cant pay that.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I am not sure what to say to them. They are a well known shop that does good work but I will not mention a name. I want this done right but I think this price is a bit ridiculous.
Any advice and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
02-16-2012, 02:14 PM
#2
Seems a little on the high side. I'm not expert here, but from my understanding a cam swap is ~8 hours and heads are ~10. So for 18 hours of labor, that comes to about $155/hr labor rate which is high unless you live in a major city like LA, NY or Chicago.
Most shop rates are between $80-$120 so I would think a decent labor charge would be ~$2000.
Most shop rates are between $80-$120 so I would think a decent labor charge would be ~$2000.
02-16-2012, 03:02 PM
#3
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try searching for some more reputable shops more further away from where you are. I think for a reputable shop with a good price id be willing to drive 5 hrs, or possibly would eben think about shipping the car to the shopp.
02-16-2012, 03:03 PM
#4
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At the GM dealership I work at I looked up the labor time for the camshaft via GM warranty, it was 16.5hrs labor now warranty time pays less than customer pay time. Customer pay time is 23hrs so I asked one of our service writers what the labor charge would be for both warranty and customer pay. Warranty time of 16.5hrs would be $2075 and customer pay time of 23hrs would be $2962. Our labor rate starts at $95 an hr then goes up on a grid as labor increases. Im sure most others are the same way.
02-16-2012, 03:15 PM
#5
They quoted me 1250.00 WITH DYNO TUNE. That seems too good to be true.
Dont know what the hell to think now...im not sure.
02-16-2012, 03:27 PM
#6
We usually charge about $2200-2400 for our cam packages installed and dyno tuned. This means we do not have to check P to V though. Our shop rate is $95.00 an hour.
I would say about $2200 would be what we would charge for the said upgrades. We take a little more time on tuning and checking over then most. With that being said $2800 is not too far out there for top notch work.
I would say about $2200 would be what we would charge for the said upgrades. We take a little more time on tuning and checking over then most. With that being said $2800 is not too far out there for top notch work.
02-16-2012, 03:28 PM
#7
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I just called speed inc in Illinois which is a 4 hour drive for me. They have been specializing in lsx cars for years and I would imagine they could do it as well as anyone.
They quoted me 1250.00 WITH DYNO TUNE. That seems too good to be true.
Dont know what the hell to think now...im not sure.
They quoted me 1250.00 WITH DYNO TUNE. That seems too good to be true.
Dont know what the hell to think now...im not sure.
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02-16-2012, 03:32 PM
#8
We usually charge about $2200-2400 for our cam packages installed and dyno tuned. This means we do not have to check P to V though. Our shop rate is $95.00 an hour.
I would say about $2200 would be what we would charge for the said upgrades. We take a little more time on tuning and checking over then most. With that being said $2800 is not too far out there for top notch work.
I would say about $2200 would be what we would charge for the said upgrades. We take a little more time on tuning and checking over then most. With that being said $2800 is not too far out there for top notch work.
02-16-2012, 03:37 PM
#9
At the GM dealership I work at I looked up the labor time for the camshaft via GM warranty, it was 16.5hrs labor now warranty time pays less than customer pay time. Customer pay time is 23hrs so I asked one of our service writers what the labor charge would be for both warranty and customer pay. Warranty time of 16.5hrs would be $2075 and customer pay time of 23hrs would be $2962. Our labor rate starts at $95 an hr then goes up on a grid as labor increases. Im sure most others are the same way.
When I worked at the dealer a lil more than 10 years back when LT1's were still the hot item. The service manual said to remove engine for cam swap.
02-16-2012, 03:52 PM
#12
shop by me charges 75 an hour, they will do a cam swap for a lil over 500, heads 850, plus tax, honest if you can do the work i would, i understand not having the time to do it but if ya get a day or 2 off bang it out, the 2 grand plus your going to spend on labor could get you some other mods, that will get ya a rearend lol
02-16-2012, 03:52 PM
#13
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Typical, you want quality service but you don't want to pay the price for it. If you are not in a hurry to get it done, just find some time and do the labor yourself, especially since you have already done in before.
02-16-2012, 04:40 PM
#15
Still considering doing it myself as well...I have more money than I used to and it is tempting to just drop it off and pick it up. It will be tied up in the garage for a bit if I do it...the main reason being I will have to order pushrods then wait for them to arrive because I will have to measure for length. I have also never measured for p to v clearance before...not going to put this together without checking with a g6x3.
02-16-2012, 04:59 PM
#18
I just got the last of my parts (the heads) last week. Give me some time lol.
The weather still sucks as well so I cant drive the car yet anyway.
02-16-2012, 07:13 PM
#19
Hey Troy I have been dealing with Straightline for nearly 6 years now and they are a good crew. You will feel comfortable asking any questions you might have wit those guys no matter how big or small your budget is. Ask for Nick or Tuner Mike and tell him Zeke sent you.
02-16-2012, 08:51 PM
#20
If the name Speed Inc doesn't persuade you or $1250 WITH dyno tune doesn't either I don't know what to tell you. Your first quote completely out of line, thats rediculous for a labor quote. With that said when you get a quote that high it usually means they don't want to do it or their ******* idiots. Speed Inc specializes in LSX vehicles while these other less reputable shops quote you the same and are NOT as good. No brainer here.