Shop quote reasonable?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Shop quote reasonable?
Fellow wrenchers! I finally have all my new engine components together and asked my shop for a quote to install it all. They said two full days (rate: $80,- an hour) and then the additional 'small' stuff such as oil, coolant, pushrods and such.
Is this reasonable for the installation of new aluminum heads, 1.52 rockers, intake, cam and a new double roller timing chain?
I have a '79 with hooker sidepipes, thanks!
Is this reasonable for the installation of new aluminum heads, 1.52 rockers, intake, cam and a new double roller timing chain?
I have a '79 with hooker sidepipes, thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
I'd say that the 2 day quote is approx. reasonable. For sure I'd think I could do it in 1 day myself on my 79 but you never know what you're going to run in to. The question to ask your mechanic is if he's definitely going to charge you for a full two days or for just the number of hours really needed. Most good shops will only charge you for the actual time taken. I'm hoping the 2 days was just an estimate.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Time to learn how to do this stuff yourself, it's not that hard, lots of books out there and you can ask questions here. It's gonna get old real fast paying $80 x 16hrs = $1280 to change a pair of heads 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Allright, thanks guys! I'll check if it's only actual hours or a fixed price deal.
@MotorHead: I'd really like to, but living in an appartment and having the corvette in a 'no-wrenching' parking garage makes it impossible for me to do such a job myself.
@MotorHead: I'd really like to, but living in an appartment and having the corvette in a 'no-wrenching' parking garage makes it impossible for me to do such a job myself.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento (Citrus Heights) California
Move it out to the street. 'swhat I do and I too live under the oppressive rule of apartment management.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
I love a town where the baseball field is the first thing I see on Google maps. 
Actually, flying you over for a week would be cheaper. A 7 day return ticket Philadelphia - Amsterdam costs between 500 and 700 dollars. Hmm...
Actually, flying you over for a week would be cheaper. A 7 day return ticket Philadelphia - Amsterdam costs between 500 and 700 dollars. Hmm...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 8
From: COOKEVILLE TN
MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET A QUOTE FOR THE JOB............NOT AN HOURLY QUOTE............IMO
7T3 IN 10EC
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Your garage guy sure aint doing you any favors, sounds high to me, I'd impose on a friend or family member, for the use of their garage if I were you. It isnt too hard of a job. Good luck, Peace,,, Moosie 
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Social Circle Georgia
I do agree with only paying for the actual hours spent on the car. I can not stand the fact that dealerships charge book rates knowing darn well the mechanics are faster than that. Usually much faster if they know what they are doing.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,351
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
'77babe knows lots of people.....and rolls in a '77
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?u=65143
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
I know a few people who have the skills and the space. However, after some thought and reading the replies on this forum, I decided to let the shop do it.
Besides not having the space to do it and it being the first engine build I'd be doing, I also have matters of guarantee to consider. Buying the heads, intake, cam, rockers and timing chain was a major investment for me, totalling at a little over $3000,-. It maybe more expensive than it could be, but this way I can hold someone accountable if things go wrong.
Thanks everyone for chipping in!
Besides not having the space to do it and it being the first engine build I'd be doing, I also have matters of guarantee to consider. Buying the heads, intake, cam, rockers and timing chain was a major investment for me, totalling at a little over $3000,-. It maybe more expensive than it could be, but this way I can hold someone accountable if things go wrong.
Thanks everyone for chipping in!