Header install Labor Costs??????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Manahawkin NJ
Header install Labor Costs??????
I was planning on purchasing a set of Dyno Headers as the board population swears by them, but when I went to a local mechanic (The same guy I've been bringing my car too, and trustworthy) Says it will cost around 600 in Labor alone!!
That's rediculous. What did you guys pay to have em put in, or did you do the work yourself?
I can't afford to let the car sit for weeks while I do the work myself, so I kind of am in a jam.
That's rediculous. What did you guys pay to have em put in, or did you do the work yourself?
I can't afford to let the car sit for weeks while I do the work myself, so I kind of am in a jam.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
i dont see why it should cost so much- those ram horns came right off my car when i took them off to get jet coated. the headers should bolt right up. maby he is figuring time on connecting the headers to your exhaust or something else like that
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
It is not that bad of a job. Just labor intensive that is why the cost is so high. Also anything can come up and you are putting on custom parts. Nobody on flat rate likes to do custom jobs. They lose their shirt most of the time because it does not fit or something is missing. I do everything on my car for that reason. It is done right and to my standards. I have the rear out of it now because somebody else set up the gears and they are not right. If you have the time do it yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
those headers are not a bolt in, as your existing pipes will have to be made to fit your new headers and collectors. and that old stuff can be a real bear to remove if your trying to not hurt parts. if he does a quality job, id have to say its fair. id do it myself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
I was quoted a full day labor, so I did it myself. The shop had done it before and knew there were some fit problems. It took me about 6 hours to install my Hedman's by myself. I had to lift the engine, remove the starter and Z-bar (4 speed). It would have taken a lot longer if anything was rusted in place, or if I hadn't already removed the engine twice before. The coolest part is driving to the muffler shop with open headers. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
If you supply the parts there is no upside for him. He is pricing it high enough where if there are problems he is covered. If you buy the headers through him the whole deal might be less. Worth a try.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Abilene Tx
It took me about 6 hrs to do mine. Of course, I already had 15 yr old headers and the Dynomax Ceramic looked identical. The passenger side went in with no problem except for getting the A/C compressor out of the way. The driver's side I had to remove the oil pressure sensor. After that I was able to hook up to my old exhaust. Automatic transmission helped too.....no clutch linkage in the way.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: verona nj
I left the ram horn manifolds on my '79 since the engine was only putting out 195hp. If you are planning to put true duals on, then get headers. But the cheapest performance upgrade I made to my '79 had nothing to do with the engine. Ditch the spare tire, and ditch the heavy metal rear leaf spring for a fiberglass one. I felt the difference with 100lbs ballasted off the car. The ride will also be a lot smoother.
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