cool87gn

iTrader: (4)

What is the going rate for a set of heads and a cam upgrade? How about for long tube headers, y-pipe & catback? Thank you,

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

your looking at most shops charging you for 12 hours...most labor rates are around 80 bucks....you do the math

cool87gn

iTrader: (4)

Jacob, is that $960 for heads/cam only or for everything? Thank you,

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

tax...misc. shop fees...etc...it will be over a grand....but not by much...ooo my bad....only noticed the H/C....im having a custom exhaust setup done...500 bucks, my h/c is going to run bout 1000 dollars...and ill probably be doing the headers.....round it to 2000 bucks if you dont do any work

Blk97WS6

iTrader: (19)

Save your self a grand and do it yourself. Check out the install guide at LS1howto.com

definetly put the headers on yourself, its not hard at all. Its about a 3-5 hour job with a extra set of hands.

Ericbigmac83

iTrader: (19)

3-5 if you dont run into any problems and have done it before so you know what youre doing. A newb isnt gonna do it in 3-5 without some luck

NoCobra

iTrader: (2)

I'm saving myself a load of money, because i have buddies who are helping installing mine..

NDFORSPD

on a h/c install, what are the chances of running into a broken bolt or something crazy during the install? just as a hypathetical type thing, thats one of the things that kinda makes me think twice about this kind of install

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

if youve never done a H/C install its not like putting on a lid.....you should have someone who knows what there doing or has done it before...do it and you should watch and learn....theres ALOT more involve then most people believe....headers can run anywhere from 9-12 hours for someone whos never done it....they dont know how the fitment is supposed to be or how things can just slide into place....i helped break down and rebuild motors when i was in college but im still not comfortable doing a h/c combo by myself

tonic

iTrader: (65)

have a canadian do it

DLindlZ28

iTrader: (4)

i just did my first lt and ory it only took about 2.5 hours with breaks but i have all the tools on hand and knew where everything was

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

^^^ your one lucky bastard

nycab

iTrader: (7)

i've never done anything with engines, and i've got my ls1 down to a shortblock... not gonna pull the cam, but it wouldn't be hard if i did. as far as heads, shouldnt be hard. the hardest part is getting your car out of the way (radiator, etc.). also, have a mechanic friend on speed dial, just in case.

tacklebox

iTrader: (10)

I think a big part of successful garage projects is being organized. If you're a slob about it, **** will get frustrating real quick and will take like 5x longer than it should.

Blk97WS6

iTrader: (19)

i guess this is true. guess i just got lucky. putting headers on my LS1 was the first semi-difficult job i did on my OWN car. i got it done in just under 5 hours, but with the help of a friend. Putting my cam/oil pump/timing chain/springs on was not very difficult, just time consuming. the only really hard parts were the pickup o-ring and changing the springs. And putting the clutch in was a breeze.

WiseAssJester

I never looked into/realized how much shops charge for this kind of stuff.

We(two friends and I) have always done all of our own work and found that to be very expansive. I couldn't imagine parts and the suggested shop time.

Snap.

01ghostwhitez

iTrader: (3)

I would definately say get an extra set of hands and do the install yourself. Risking damage on your car allowing a shop to do it and it's like just throwing money away. I plan on installing a cam myself in a few months and it took me about 6 hours to do the headers on my car.

azceta

iTrader: (1)

you guys make it sound like it takes longer then it does. Cam and springs on car 2 hours header and a y-pipe 1 hour they fall right out ant go straight back in. But i will agree heads suck. I have a shop and dropped the cradle; have to, when you go from the bolts to studded

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

I really never cared how long it took me to do my installs. I just take my time, drink a few beers, and enjoy wrenching on the car with the help of a buddy. The main thing is it's done right. I do my racing on the street and at the track, not in the garage

tacklebox

iTrader: (10)

...i don't think your average noob will be doing any cam installs in 2 hours. Mine was more like 2 days if i remember right.