Local Corvette shop estimate on...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
Local Corvette shop estimate on...
Hi Fellas,
In light of trying to dipped down to 3.36 from 4.10 gears (4.10 is fun but I want taller gears again), I wrote an inquiry to local corvette specialist shop for an estimate. Since I paid 850 in parts and labor for the 3.55 to 4.10 swap, I figure it would be similar or few hundred more since being a "specialty shop." All I need was ring and pinion and installation kit for the 3.55 to 4.10 swap and used the same housing.
When I saw the reply and what was written, I was little overblown.
Just the tear down inspection in what it needs is $500 and go from there. Shop also wrote a section about stock differential rebuild costing 2K to 2.5K (which I have no intentions or interest in doing). That is not including yoke, halfshaft u-joints, control arm bushings or trailing arm bearings and alignment. Also was quoted that I'll need 3 series carrier since I have 4 series carrier now?
I told them their price is way over my league. I think I will stick to my local chevy mechanic again for 850.
In light of trying to dipped down to 3.36 from 4.10 gears (4.10 is fun but I want taller gears again), I wrote an inquiry to local corvette specialist shop for an estimate. Since I paid 850 in parts and labor for the 3.55 to 4.10 swap, I figure it would be similar or few hundred more since being a "specialty shop." All I need was ring and pinion and installation kit for the 3.55 to 4.10 swap and used the same housing.
When I saw the reply and what was written, I was little overblown.
Just the tear down inspection in what it needs is $500 and go from there. Shop also wrote a section about stock differential rebuild costing 2K to 2.5K (which I have no intentions or interest in doing). That is not including yoke, halfshaft u-joints, control arm bushings or trailing arm bearings and alignment. Also was quoted that I'll need 3 series carrier since I have 4 series carrier now?
I told them their price is way over my league. I think I will stick to my local chevy mechanic again for 850.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: verona va
Wow...thats really outrageous. Have you considered getting one from the parts houses? I had 3.08 and found a racer who had a 3.70 new for 450$. Had to get it. Its whining a little, not sure if it will wear in, or if it'll blow up on down the road.
I had thought about one from say Ecklers or such for 1k or less.
I had thought about one from say Ecklers or such for 1k or less.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Corvette shop prices
I went to a Corvette restoration shop and asked about a frame off restoration on a c3, i.e. my 74. They told me it would be about $110,000. I, with a straight face, said, OK well I am gland I do my own work! Wow
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
Gary sees this and his prices may go through the roof
oh and btw, I shipped my rear from California to Gary and it was still a way better deal...........plus the work he does is tops.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
Shop owner wrote back saying just for him to install the ring and pinion on a current carrier will cost him 850 dollars in parts only thus using the same spacer. I was wondering where is he getting his parts from. Most of the decent 3.36 ring and pinion set cost under 300 dollars and extra 40 bucks for the installation kit. I guess 500 dollars for few hours of labor is not enough?
Anyway, I'm gonna get it done at a local chevy shop few miles down the road. He said, just bring it in with the parts and he'll charge me 300 bucks for the labor so no brainer here. Shop owner told me I can use the same spacer, carrier and have bearings in stock.
Anyway, I'm gonna get it done at a local chevy shop few miles down the road. He said, just bring it in with the parts and he'll charge me 300 bucks for the labor so no brainer here. Shop owner told me I can use the same spacer, carrier and have bearings in stock.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
Did you ask him if it came with wet bar and entertainment system at least?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
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From: Southern NH
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
Hmmm... I have a somewhat similar story. I'm restoring my 2nd '80. The frame was beyond repair. So I went to the local Vette shop to inquire about a replacement. Lo and behold they had one. It turns out that the frame came from another '80. The guy that owned the car had it stripped and and requested a quote to restore the car. He was told it would set him back by $45,000.00! On my car I'm doing the work myself and I'll spend half of that by the time I'm finished. I guess it costs big bucks to drive a cool car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Corvette shop prices
Wake up...this is 2013 and prices are skyrocketing out of control. I see shops everywhere charging $115 per hour. Maybe Walmart should offer $50 per hour restoration services with illegal Mexican workers and Chinese parts. Then that complete frame off might set you back only $50k. 
My dad was a complete DIYer and died a poor man. I have been a mostly DIYer and because of that alone, have managed to end up with a little. I know many people that pay to have everything done for them. They seem to be driving the economy out of control...and the collector car hobby for sure.
My dad was a complete DIYer and died a poor man. I have been a mostly DIYer and because of that alone, have managed to end up with a little. I know many people that pay to have everything done for them. They seem to be driving the economy out of control...and the collector car hobby for sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I can't imagine paying that much for the work, but shops must make money to pay the bills.
I did my own differential for under $500. I used eaton clutch packs, timken bearings and I scored on a brand new 3:55 r&p set at overstockdiffparts.com. I also was able tp powdercoat the housing while it was all apart. Of course you have to have the tooling and the knowledge to set it up correctly. That's what you pay a shop to do. Either learn or suck it up.
I did my own differential for under $500. I used eaton clutch packs, timken bearings and I scored on a brand new 3:55 r&p set at overstockdiffparts.com. I also was able tp powdercoat the housing while it was all apart. Of course you have to have the tooling and the knowledge to set it up correctly. That's what you pay a shop to do. Either learn or suck it up.
