So I've seen this question asked before, but nothing too recent and nothing on the east coast.

I live in NJ and am looking to do a H/C/I swap and am looking for a shop. Any ideas on pricing, including a tune? I've been quoted 2500 for labor and tune, that just seems high to me.

I am not comfortable doing it myself, I have very little car knowledge even though I've been reading stuff on the boards for a few years. I'd rather pay someone to do it correctly (hopefully) then f something up and wind up with a paper weight.

 

That is high. For a HCI and tune $1500 is more like it

 

I was going to say that $2500 is kind of low if the tune is included but I'm not an expert. From my research a good dyno tune is going to cost you about $500 alone so $2000 to do a H/C/I install is not a bad deal if the work is done right. That's a major job; especially on these cars since the steering rack needs removed to access the cam. I've read much higher quotes than that so IMHO if the shop is good you may want to take them up on it.

Scott

 

A reputable shop out by me charges right around $1200 for labor and tune $450. $1500-$2000 I'd say is a good average

 

Thanks HCI, one of the big reasons living in the NY/NJ area sucks is everyone charges more money for the everything.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

I'd say 2500 is on par if it's a reputable buisness. That includes standing behind the finished product.

If the job is done correctly it's worth that.

 

Im also in Jersey and would never pay what some of these local shops are asking. I have a local guy that does all my work.

 

I have looked into having a shop do a H/C/I install on my car as well. $1600 was right around the same. I am in Alabama but there is really only one place near me that can do it.

 

Your nuts paying 2500 bucks for a heads cam install. I paid around a grand plus tune for my last H/C install.

 

I do know a guy who can do it that is not in a shop. My only problem would be his work schedule and transporting the car after the work is done. Trust me, I rather not pay 2500 for a HCI install.

 

You guys are saying you're ok with paying something like $150+/hr for labor?

 

Try Andrew at CSP Performance http://completestreetperformance.com/services/ . He has great prices and he is an excellent tuner. He is in PA but very close to South Jersey. He is a Sponsor.

Here is a special he ran recently https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...m-package.html for a cam install plus tune plus all the extras.

 

Well let me elaborate for you.

A reputable tuner is one that will:
a. Do a comprehensive drivability tune.
b. Dyno tune to dial in for as much power as possible.
c. Another round of drivability for a sanity check if you will.

No matter what part of the country your in the avg cost is $500-600.

I'm not looking at a book or a comprehensive mechanics calculator. Just an American what's my time valued at which we will get too shortly.

Tear down and clean surfaces areas, while giving a quality check to areas of potential wear and or catastrophic damage areas.

d. conservative estimate 6 hours.

Install camshaft and degree in per specification, install cylinder heads and verify PTV clearances, verify pushrod length for accurate preload.

e. Estimate of time 4 hours.

Contact supporting vendor and order correct head gaskets to achieve the specified compression ratio. Contact supporting vendor and order the correct pushrods.

f. Estimate of time .5 hours.

Wait specified amount of time while vehicle is disassembled in my bay, which let's guess at 2 days. Take into consideration the overhead of said shop.

g. Estimate of time: overhead for waiting on parts and loss of bay for potential other said customers.

Begin assembling the engine and torquing all to specification. Let's remember verifing clearances on oil pump to crank drive.

h. Estimate of time: 8 hours

Now let's add some numbers 18.5 labor hours. We have a competent mechanic to pay and overhead of our shop. We are a reputable shop that believes in doing things right the first time and providing the customer with exactly what they are paying for.

I'm a mechanical engineer by degree and a quality engineer by trade. My rate of pay is standard of such throughout the country with an automotive/aerospace background. So very close to what you quoted above.

To touch on time well, my time is very valuable in fact so valuable that one can't put a monetary price to it. That's time that I'm away from my family/wife/child.

So for a reputable shop as I stated above 100 is more than acceptable in my eyes. Don't forget overhead and taxes, yeah those taxes less not forget the American way.

I have the shop/tools/lift/ability to do all of the above said myself. Some people do not, so you have my detailed analogy of cost breakdown.

 

we charge ~1500 labor for a full h/c/i swap on a ls based vehicle. usually
book for 16hrs for labor, + parts, fluids, and gaskets.

 

So it takes 10 hours to dissasemble the top end and put it back together. What exactly takes place in the next 8 hours under part H if you've already have the heads and cam on?

Not even gonna comment on the fact that it takes 6 hours to dissasemble a top end when a buddy of mine with less tools than a pro shop can have it down to a bare shortblock in under 3 hours...

 

Sounds like you have it all figured out, why would I need to elaborate any further?

 

Appreciate the recommendation . OP, feel free to give us a call or shoot us a message/email. We can definitely get you taken care of!

Complete Street Performance
314 Turner Lane
West Chester, PA 19380
(507)259-2547

info@completestreetperformance.com

 

Cuz some poor schmuck is going to believe you when you say that after the heads and cam are on there still are 8 more hours of work not including the tuning time on the dyno/street.

 

Come again? Possibly in English this time?

 

It takes you 6 hours to tear down???
Oh I see you are an engineer, never mind.