This to install a forged 347 and a cam. Labor, parts, and tune. Just want to see if this is on par. Thanks!

"I believe my 346 SB with Diamond pistons, Callies rods, balanced and blueprinted is $2995 exchange. Add to that the install, retune, gaskets, camshaft, dual spring kit, new oil pump, lifters, pushrods, ARP main studs and head bolts, LS6 PCV setup and checkvalve, MLS head gaskets, remaining gaskets, seals, bolts and such will come to $6795 plus tax exchange."

 

ASk them to break it down for you... then we cam know.... how much is the labor alone????

 

you dont NEED ls6 pcv and checkvalve, or new 'bolts' or new waterpump, valvecover, front or rear gaskets.. i assume thats what he was talking about when he said "gaskets, head gaskets, and remaining gaskets" hehe i would aso ask what the 'such' is.

install i would imagine would be 12 hours shop labor which is maybe 40 an hour?

 

I wouldnt pay that.... Sounds like it still has stock heads too..

 

Have them break it down, little stuff adds up quick. 10 'little' things that cost 300.00 = 3000.00. No one is going to assemble a motor in a shop and re use old gaskets, why take a chance. You have head/main studs 400, good head gaskets 200, 150 for the LS6 PCV (which you really dont need but it makes things cleaner under the hood), 300 for springs, 100 for the oil pump etc plus labor. Once you have a complete list + tax if they are local I bet its not too far off.

 

you can get factory mls hg's as long as you dont have 98 heads, but even then its still cheaper to have the heads welded then buy a pair of cometics.

 

Either way those parts add up fast, plus its not a simple R&R with a vortech hanging on the front. I dont think its that far out of line, sure you can save some shopping for parts and doing the labor yourself but if you have to pay tax on a short + parts you are looking at 400.00 right there. I used to do this stuff everyday and I paid the rent just fine, all that little stuff adds up and the guy doing the work has to eat. I have seen some shops charge 1000.00 labor for a cam/spring swap on one of these so there is nothing wrong with shopping around some, all depends how much you trust the guy doing the work.

When I was doing a 408 short I was between APE and W2W, W2W was 1200.00 more - all i can say is I'm glad I went with W2W.

 

KP has a good point. It also depends on whos doing the work....

 

lets just say a very reputable shop local to me. I'll see if I can get an exact breakdown.

Thanks everyone.

 

typically expect to pay $1000 just for R&R

 

MM has a good point about get a parts break down and the cost and then what they are charging for laybor. Just to install a motor is about 600 one way in our out and that wouldn't include a vortech although alot of it wouldn't have to be done cause it was there prior, but it is extra work involved etc... MTI quoted me $1200 one way so that would be 2400 just for laybor and I am sure that there prices on an over the phone quote is going to be higher cause they can't see the car and I know it makes a difference I can tell you I have a clean one owner and my idea of clean is different than yours etc... so 3000 for motor and xxx for parts 2000 for laybor and 1395 in additional parts and tax on that say 400??? Sounds a little high (extra parts especially.)but not outragous when compared to some other shops so just call around have them give you a break down and then you can compare apples to apples to find the best quality deal for yourself. Good luck!
Jeff

 

I'm going to see if I can get it dropped a few hundred.

Let me ask ya'll this, is it better to use my ls6 block (not sure if i have one but if I do) or will it not make a big difference using a regular ls1 block?

I wanted to pay around 5500 to be honest all in with a cam.

 

The LS6 blocks are not any stronger they just had a little better venting between the cylinders they were made at a different plant and a little different material but it has not proven to be stronger etc... so I wouldn't spend any money on that for a 346-348 for sure JMO but I am sure most will tell you the same thing.

 

Dont wory about the blocks. If you want to knock off the 1200.00 skip the cam pushrods and retune for now but have the springs done so you can easily swap cams down the road. I know you want the cam but having a strong bottom end you can push without worrying about in place is a lot more important then the cam, you can change that anytime.

Have him list everything and just scratch out the stuff you dont want or dont think you need and see where you are at.

 

kp has got the right idea I think if you can't get the price with all the stuff then just start knocking off stuff that you can live without for right now.

 

Also keep in mind that shop labor rates are roughly $70-$90 per hour!!m Overhead isn't cheap!

 

10/4 I just figured since its all opened up might as well do everything I want to do. I'm still waiting on a price breakdown.

At 12 lbs with a 224/230 cam do you think I'll be able to hit 575-600? I want this car to push me back into the seat nicely.

 

I don't think you should have a problem hitting your goal. I am only using about 7-8lbs although I have heads I still think you can mak it easy. I also have a custom 224/230 cam of my pickings LOL!

 

how come you haven't pushed it any higher boost wise? Futral Motorsports has the cam I think I'm gonna go with its the FM-7.

 

To give you an idea we charge $1200 for a complete motor swap -labor.It ussually takes 2-3 day's when we switch the parts over.All the gaskets are around $200-$250.