Header install prices.... help!!

[elsololobo02]

I called up a local speed shop today to see how much they would charge to install a set of Ceramic Coated BBK LT headers on my 2011 LS. They quoted me a price of $580.00 for an estimated 5 hour install ($116.00/per hour). Normally the shop charges $80.00 per hour in labor but since I didn't buy the parts directly from them they said the labor would have to be $116.00/hour. I then asked the salesman (Atlantic Autosports/Va Beach) if it only took 4 hours to install would it be any cheaper and he said no it would be $580.00 even if it takes 2 hours. The quote seems high and their practices seem hoakie to me in general. The install instructions that came with the headers said it takes 2.5 hours to install. I am in the military and I don't make much and I don't want to get ripped off. Any experienced
or knowledgeable advice would be helpful.

[ROD1]

My advice is go find a buddy and a 12 pack and gitrdun. Its easy stuff just very much a pain in the ars getting down and up in there to get them secured. Prolly 2-3 hrs with a buddy who is a good basic wrencher so long as you wait til yur done to do the 12 pack.

[omegaman]

I paid $90 x 3 hours for a header and high flow cat install. I drop shipped the headers and cats to the speed shop,

[ROD1]

My advice is go find a buddy and a 12 pack and gitrdun. Its easy stuff just very much a apin in the ars getting down and up in there to get them secured. Prolly 2-3 hrs with a buddy who is a good basic wrencher so long as you wait til yur done to do the 12 pack.

I will leave you with this. I ran 113.05 in 12.015 secs. My car weighs about 4000 with me in it.
http://www.dragtimes.com/horsepower-...calculator.php

[elsololobo02]

Thanks for the info. I think with that in mind I may go see if the muffler guys up the road can do it. I would think as a business man that if you quote an hourly labor cost you would stick to it. Not charging someone 5 hours worth of labor if the job only took 4 hours (hypothetically) just because you quote over the phone. Well I'll keep checking around, again thanks for the sanity check.

[1Camaro2SS]

Speedinc in Chicago quoted me $225 to install my Kooks long tube headers and high flow cats. Normally the cost is $275 but being winter and not as busy they offered me a deal. I haven't taken my car yet though. Don't want to drive it in the salt.

[rtcat600man]

Originally Posted by ROD1

I will leave you with this. I ran 113.05 in 12.015 secs. My car weighs about 4000 with me in it.
http://www.dragtimes.com/horsepower-...calculator.php

...453.43 HP at the flywheel.

OK......post the dyno sheets already......

[GretchenGotGrowl]

Originally Posted by rtcat600man

...453.43 HP at the flywheel.

OK......post the dyno sheets already......

This is worst than waiting for Santa Claus...

[ROD1]

Originally Posted by rtcat600man

...453.43 HP at the flywheel.

OK......post the dyno sheets already......

Im just flabbergasted I could get so much out of a stock 3.6l V6 motor and have it live through it in fine order. That is over 2 hp per cubic inch form a stock engine from a car you can buy for less than 23K!

[devildoc]

Hey man I just came from VA beach, well norfolk actually. I did my headers myself at the Yorktown Coast Guard base. They have a auto hobby shop that's outstanding and is only $6/hr for everything you need from a power lift to all the tools you require. So grab a buddy and get it done. BTW it took me 8hrs to put mine on, so plan for a long time.

[elsololobo02]

Got the headers installed today. Ran me $350.00 and took 4 hours. They smell a little bit but I have read from others in the forum that new headers tend to give a smell for a few until they burn off the finishing oils. At first I didn't have a CEL come on but I got the RPM's up and sure enough it came on. Looking at getting a Trifecta tune to correct the light issue and get a proper tune. Thanks again from the prior posters for your help.

[a red maro]

Originally Posted by elsololobo02

Got the headers installed today. Ran me $350.00 and took 4 hours. They smell a little bit but I have read from others in the forum that new headers tend to give a smell for a few until they burn off the finishing oils. At first I didn't have a CEL come on but I got the RPM's up and sure enough it came on. Looking at getting a Trifecta tune to correct the light issue and get a proper tune. Thanks again from the prior posters for your help.

yeah I've been reading alot of the threads in the forum and it seems that long tube headers always seem to throw a CEL. I've also heard that BBK LT headers are causing needing the cat to be moved, and that's what's causing the CEL to show. If someone knows any different the please correct me.

[jagan323]

i believe it throws a CEL because the stock O2 sensors are sensing 2 pairs of Cats, and the LT headers with Hi-flo Cats just doesn't measure the same as the stock, it messes up with the emissions readings. Which causes the CEL. Nothing you can do about it... there's nothing wrong with it... it's just our cars weren't made to use Hi-flo cats, so tuning it will fix it. No biggie.

[1Camaro2SS]

Originally Posted by a red maro

yeah I've been reading alot of the threads in the forum and it seems that long tube headers always seem to throw a CEL. I've also heard that BBK LT headers are causing needing the cat to be moved, and that's what's causing the CEL to show. If someone knows any different the please correct me.

All you need to do is have a pro tune the car for you and not only it will stop throwing CELs but you will actually get all the hp out of those headers you can get. Without a tune, the headers may not perform to the fullest potential.