PWRTRIP

here is the response I got from Archer Racing on a cam install.....this can't be right!


According to the labor guide, it is a 35 hour job replace the cam, retainers, valve covers, push rods, and heads for the valve springs. Then you will also have to resurface the heads and do valve jobs on both of them. I would say a total around $3,000.00 for everything.

Thanks,
Jeremy
Archer Racing

PWRTRIP

the heads don't need to be resurfaced do they? or valve jobs? how much did your cam install run you????????????

00T\A

wonder what they charge for an oil change. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Boo Yeah

4 million yen <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

FinalTA

iTrader: (1)

Tell them THE HEADS DO NOT NEED TO COME OFF to change valve springs... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

And to think I only charged a guy $150 last week for cam and valve spring swap <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Guess I need to revise my pricing <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

PWRTRIP

WTF ..shouldn't they know this?!!!!??
what is the nearest LS1 specialty shop nearest to me? Speed INC and FLP in Illinois I think
I think I might just stock pile up a bunch of goodies and head down there this summer for install and dyno tuning! I wish there was something closer..anybody know of any? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" />

Liquidnutz

Dude I replaced two valve springs with a POS spring compressor and a coathanger in a gas station parking lot. My azz the heads have to come off. I know the fix was ghetto but sometimes ya just gotta make it home lol.

RUN RUN away before you become a victim of overpriced BS <img border="0" alt="[bullshit]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bs.gif" />

PWRTRIP

in most cars do you need to take off heads or what? is it that the LS1 is different and he is mistaken or am I just being taken?
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

SB

If you have no valve damage and are just doing a straight cam swap you don't have to pull the heads unless you are using a dual-spring setup. On any normal single spring such as the ISKY 295D's or 918's you don't have to touch the heads so be careful of shops not familiar with the ls1. I personally would only take my car to a guy/shop who has done a bunch of ls1 engine work of which ls1tech has many vendors.

Labor only for a cam install can be as low as $350 + parts to a few bucks more.

steve <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

<small>[ March 04, 2003, 02:25 PM: Message edited by: SB ]</small>

jmX

Every car out there is a little different. If the shop isnt experienced in LS1's you are going to pay for whatever they think they need to do. If somebody brought me some car I'd never worked on before I'd quote prices by the book too.

xaon

iTrader: (12)

the guy is looking to dump a ton of extra crap onto your install. He basically wants to pull the heads, do a half-*** valve job on it, replace the springs and slap it all back on and charge you a grand for that. Their pricing on that is insane. A good shop should be able to do a cam and springs install on a car in a day. They want to take a week.

FWIW. I did the cam in my car having never taken apart a motor before over a weekend on jackstands with hand tools. It only took me ~25 hours or so to do it from start to finish. And that included doing my B*TCH of a valve spring install and dropping the oil pan twice. (Spring install took ~8 hours because I had the wrong tool, 6 hours longer than the 2nd spring install I did. Dropping the oil pan a second time took up a good 1.5-2 hours extra)

I would run fast and far away.

Bluestreak

The heads don't even have to come off, let alone do they need resurfacing. Any shop that will tell you that is one you should run screaming away from. Cam swaps aren't that expensive by any stretch of the imagination. I do them for $500 and I have helped several friends do the swap. They cost around $600-$1000 at professional shops. A really good deal will be less than $600, just make sure they know what they're doing and have done LS1's before. They're so simple to do given a little time and patience. I've done 10 of them and have perfected it to a 7 hour job including dropping the oil pan to get the oil pump out so the timing chain can be replaced, and the A/C condenser stays in... sounds like the $3000 needs a big fat BS flag raised on it...

Louis

iTrader: (7)

They are just going off the books. I know Mike Archer personally and their DSM work is top notch. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

PWRTRIP

They are just going off the books. I know Mike Archer personally and their DSM work is top notch.
yep, I refused to take my 92 elclipse GSX anywhere else except for an Archer (mike owns Auto Medics here in town and probably works on more DSMs than anybody in the country) and John Archer Owns Archer Racing here in town ..but now with the LS1 I am thinking maybe its not so wise to go there..they have their expertise and that is DSMs and Vipers
but 3k OMG!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />

PWRTRIP

after I wrote to them and asked about the price this is the response......
"You said you wanted to replace the valve springs. THE HEADS NEED TO COME OFF TO DO THAT!! Thats the deal. Just a cam install would be around $900.00."

CHRISPY

I would NOT go there man. run away!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

bluestreak98

iTrader: (21)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Bluestreak:
<strong>. Cam swaps aren't that expensive by any stretch of the imagination. I do them for $500 and I have helped several friends do the swap. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">you do cam installs for 500 dollars... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

JJ at Ls1 Solutions does them in a day, provides all the gaskets, coolant, and the crannk bolt for 185 dollars. i believe he has done around 15 cam installs....he knows what hes doing. cant beat 185 dollars. AIM name(JJ): White98LS1

Trans Am WS6 RGS

I woulnt go to tha place after all the bad info they gave you.

Avery reputable place in CA who specializes in F-bodies quoted me a price of $300-$350 for the came and $850 for heads and cam. Since Im never home I thoughtabout lettinm do it but I should be back home soon so my friend and I are going to install his heads and cam and then do mine. That way I have more mod money!!

PWRTRIP

prwtrip bring ur car to me in virginia and ill do ur cam and vavle spring swap for 250.00 itll cost u gas and a place to stay for a night so itll be about 400.00 dollars altogether. let me know something

hmm..I do have family in Virginia..I could always pay them a visit!!