Most ridiculous cam install estimate ever!

[LSX Camaro]

Originally Posted by Trob85

So I'm not an agile young man anymore military service has me rocking a 65 year old body even though I'm only 30 so getting up and down and working on a car I'm somewhat limited on what I can do. I took the car to get tuned by a (somewhat) local guy who has always tuned the car and has recently open his own shop. After looking online I was estimating somewhere in the range of 1100-1500 which always seemed reasonable with some extra costs for a helicoil, trunion upgrade things like that. Getting the estimate I about had a heart attack they want a little over 3000 for the swap so not sure what I'm going to do I might just have to go ahead put that swap on hold for a while until I can find someone A LOT cheaper Also forgot to mention there were no parts in that estimate since I have everything sitting on the bench in my garage just needing put in.

What needs a helicoil repair?

[JCunningham]

i was quoted $750 for labor for a cam replacement install. just changing the cam out nothing else. That was at a shop that specializes in Camaros and Vettes.

[Bodywerks]

Originally Posted by Trob85

Like stated before since I'm in the system the retune fee is 150 which IS what would be done, he charges 500 for your first time. I'm coming from l99 and when I say I have everything I mean I have EVERYTHING lifters, colder plugs for more boost, oil, new timing chain, nothing wrong with the oil pump so using stock, cam sprocket. I did all my research and purchased everything needed. Only outside things expected to be done are 1 possibly 2 helicoils and trunion upgrade but other than that it's typical springs, cam, harden push rods new front timing cover and new valley cover. It's as simple as any other cam swap just throwing out the vvt dod junk.

That's not a simple cam swap! Your heads have to come off to change the lifters. Heads alone took me an entire day. Exhaust has to come off intake off, grounds, clean up the decks, New lifter trays, New gaskets, New bolts, etc. It's not that it's hard work, but is time consuming to do it right.

[10 Silver Bullet]

Talk to Tim Gamble at Deep Stage Tuning and Performance in Norman Oklahoma his prices are the best.

[Dropspeed]

Bottom line is that when you don't buy parts from a brick and mortar shop they receive 0, NADA, none of the mark up on the parts. I am aware of many places that charge a higher labor rate if you bring them parts to discourage it. Everyone likes to window shop, kick tires and waste time in shops, but then they buy online to beat the prices. (not saying you, but they need to cover there capital investment)

Another factor is when YOUR parts are incorrect, defective, missing, broken etc. they need to call you, you need to come get them, swap them out etc which takes time They make money by turning business. When a car is dead on a hoist waiting for parts, that cost them money. IF they ordered and sold you the parts.....that is the risk they take. When you bring in the parts, its a liability/time they cannot always recover.

If you don't like the prices you are better to discuss it with the shop directly or find a different one.

[Unreal]

And wether they like it or not, they are accepting responsibility of parts you are handing over saying they are correct, and new. If they provide the parts, they know what to use, and the condition, and can warranty or swap them out with vendors. They install something you provide, and it fails 400 miles later, your going to be bitching at them. So charging a lot more, to discourage this behavior is very very VERY common in the industry. Many good big shops make it so it is far more expensive to provide your own parts than have them source them.

[Gearheaded]

Originally Posted by Unreal

And wether they like it or not, they are accepting responsibility of parts you are handing over saying they are correct, and new. If they provide the parts, they know what to use, and the condition, and can warranty or swap them out with vendors. They install something you provide, and it fails 400 miles later, your going to be bitching at them. So charging a lot more, to discourage this behavior is very very VERY common in the industry. Many good big shops make it so it is far more expensive to provide your own parts than have them source them.

Not to mention if the part you provide beaks, they gotta hope you won't blame them. Otherwise they just ate an oil pump, plus the time to tear the motor back down to install a new one.

Bad lifter? That heads coming back off. Anything of that nature perfectly definite their price.

It sucks, but this is exactly the reason I did the install myself

[LSX Camaro]

Originally Posted by Unreal

And wether they like it or not, they are accepting responsibility of parts you are handing over saying they are correct, and new. If they provide the parts, they know what to use, and the condition, and can warranty or swap them out with vendors. They install something you provide, and it fails 400 miles later, your going to be bitching at them. So charging a lot more, to discourage this behavior is very very VERY common in the industry. Many good big shops make it so it is far more expensive to provide your own parts than have them source them.

Exactly right Nick!

[Unreal]

Anytime Chris. Maybe in Socal next week or this weekend. Undecided. May drive vette, or may ride the bike. Not sure.

[WheelMan69]

Called a shop asking how much it would be to put in a Mild Cam (Don't really know which one I want yet) and they came back with 4.5K for my L99 and 6.5 for aggressive cam with a stall.

I'm getting more estimates around my area.

[Night trained]

Chilton time for camshaft replacement is 20 hrs. That's with pulling heads and lifters. even if labor rate is a low $70 an hour that's $1400. Then the valve springs need to be swapped over. Yes there is a way to do without pulling heads, but customer would be liable if something happens due to the short cut way. The customer will not want to hear about that, so I would quote total true time.
oh also ,about supplying your own parts, try bringing your steak to a steakhouse and tell then how to cook it, see where that gets you..

[LSX Camaro]

Originally Posted by Unreal

Anytime Chris. Maybe in Socal next week or this weekend. Undecided. May drive vette, or may ride the bike. Not sure.

Let me know!

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by 2012LS3VERT

We pull the motor in about 3 hours here, but it involves draining/recharging the A/C, because we drop it out the bottom. If heads coming off, we do it that way. Then still about 10-12 hours for the swap, 3 to reinstall, 1 for recharge A/C. So still about 20 hours labor. Our rate is in the $70/hr range, but even at $100/hr it is still only $2000.

I have no idea why people here FAIL to add 2+2 together. Either ignorant(conveniently skip some posts..), $$ greedy, allegiance to some Team/Shop or....

Originally Posted by Unreal

And wether they like it or not, they are accepting responsibility of parts you are handing over saying they are correct, and new. If they provide the parts, they know what to use, and the condition, and can warranty or swap them out with vendors. They install something you provide, and it fails 400 miles later, your going to be bitching at them. So charging a lot more, to discourage this behavior is very very VERY common in the industry. Many good big shops make it so it is far more expensive to provide your own parts than have them source them.

I bring my own parts in....but there is a thing that is missing in todays society, and it is honesty and COMMUNICATION.

I make it very clear I won't be bitching if a part fails, and "they" (the shop in question), make it clear there will be no bitching. Then we carry on.

For sure there is a grey zone involved here, no denying this.

I still feel there should be no excuse for a shop to rape someone before the fact, as this most likely means, there was no communication to begin with, and things then potentially could get even nastier should a failure occur down the line.

An honest shop, should either say Yes, or politely refuse the job, end_of_story.

I totally understand what you wrote, and it is truly a "fact on the ground." We have all seen this, and sadly, one bad case, may supersede 20 good positive transactions.

That said, I iterate once again, competition is fierce in the automotive world, especially in the aftermarket service world. Use the internet wisely, shop around, my savings over the course of the years, totally make up for a potential out_of_pocket_failure_, which I have yet to experienced to date. If I did(if the part failed), I would suck it up, but my savings over the years would negate that cost I think.

NOTE*Funny enough, the parts I forwarded to my shop, were the same brands they use as well, so all was good there . In fact, I even introduced the owner to Cam Motion, he might be switching now thanks to me, lol. I mean, there are only so many reputable brands of valve springs, cams, oil pumps out there right?

Obviooooously, if someone brings me in a brand X, Made in Taiwan eBay "$100" Cam, I too would tell the client to bugger off!

[2SSLincolnSS2]

Originally Posted by Trob85

So I'm not an agile young man anymore military service has me rocking a 65 year old body even though I'm only 30 so getting up and down and working on a car I'm somewhat limited on what I can do. I took the car to get tuned by a (somewhat) local guy who has always tuned the car and has recently open his own shop. After looking online I was estimating somewhere in the range of 1100-1500 which always seemed reasonable with some extra costs for a helicoil, trunion upgrade things like that. Getting the estimate I about had a heart attack they want a little over 3000 for the swap so not sure what I'm going to do I might just have to go ahead put that swap on hold for a while until I can find someone A LOT cheaper Also forgot to mention there were no parts in that estimate since I have everything sitting on the bench in my garage just needing put in.

Too bad you aren't in southern California. I'd help you do it for the amazingly expensive price of a couple beers.