Full Tune-Up
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
On mine the ac compressor seems much larger than what I have seen on the earlier cars plus it seems like the engine is offset to the passenger side if that makes any sense. Taking the pass side front wheel and a small cover panel by the shock was a eal time saver on mine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
On mine the ac compressor seems much larger than what I have seen on the earlier cars plus it seems like the engine is offset to the passenger side if that makes any sense. Taking the pass side front wheel and a small cover panel by the shock was a eal time saver on mine.
On my 87, I have the early Harrison "R" series A/C compressor.
Plenty of room to get to the passenger side spark plugs.
Its pretty easy to change all spark plugs on my car.
Can change out all 8 in under 10 minutes.
Have it down pat.
I change out spark plugs 2 or 3 times a year during driving season to keep a sharp tune on it.
I like standard copper core spark plugs.
Never been a fan of platinum or iridium tipped center electrode spark plugs.
My 87 engine don't like them.
$1.99 copper core Champions or $2.99 Accel 416's work best I have found.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Its been a while since I had to tune up a later C4 LT-1 powered Corvette.
I think it pays a mechanic & bills out at around 4.5 to 5.0 hours.
I used to get them done in 3.0 to 4.0 hours with a good smile & happy mood to begin with.
I felt like going home afterwards for the day after a complete ignition tune up on any GM LT-1 powered vehicle and making or beating GM flat rate time.
Its a tough job to tune up a 1990's LT-1 if you never have done it before.
18 inch long & 8" long Snap On or similar pick tool is your friend when tuning up a LT-1.
BR
I think it pays a mechanic & bills out at around 4.5 to 5.0 hours.
I used to get them done in 3.0 to 4.0 hours with a good smile & happy mood to begin with.
I felt like going home afterwards for the day after a complete ignition tune up on any GM LT-1 powered vehicle and making or beating GM flat rate time.
Its a tough job to tune up a 1990's LT-1 if you never have done it before.
18 inch long & 8" long Snap On or similar pick tool is your friend when tuning up a LT-1.
BR
Last edited by 87 vette 81 big girl; Jul 2, 2011 at 01:41 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
It takes me about 30 minutes to pull all eight plugs on my 95 LT1. It takes me a little bit longer than that to install the new plugs. I like to replace the plugs at least once a year. The wires are a bit of a pain without pulling the water pump.
I think that price is very reasonable for what he is doing and including the parts.
I think that price is very reasonable for what he is doing and including the parts.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
For $400.00 he's going to replace all the parts (wires, plugs, O2 sensor, etc...)and the price includes labor. He already knows that he's going to spend a lot of time on it. Since I just got the car, he's charging me $585.00 for the full tune up, Mobil One synthetic oil change, flush the radiator and change the transmission fluid and filter. I trust this guy because I've known him for 30 years and he always gives me a big discount. Is $585.00 worth it?
All 4 O2's will be $300 in parts alone and $100 for plugs and wires, plus $30 for oil and $20 for tranny, then $20 for coolant and flush(tell him to be very careful, heater cores are easily broken during a flush and a royal PITA to replace).
So he is only charging $470-80 in parts, so he is only charging $100 in labor.
Wow, that is one sweet deal.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
It takes me about 30 minutes to pull all eight plugs on my 95 LT1. It takes me a little bit longer than that to install the new plugs. I like to replace the plugs at least once a year. The wires are a bit of a pain without pulling the water pump.
I think that price is very reasonable for what he is doing and including the parts.
I think that price is very reasonable for what he is doing and including the parts.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Ky
For $400.00 he's going to replace all the parts (wires, plugs, O2 sensor, etc...)and the price includes labor. He already knows that he's going to spend a lot of time on it. Since I just got the car, he's charging me $585.00 for the full tune up, Mobil One synthetic oil change, flush the radiator and change the transmission fluid and filter. I trust this guy because I've known him for 30 years and he always gives me a big discount. Is $585.00 worth it?
Or do the stuff that you can and let him do the "tech" stuff.
Follow the advice and have your GM dealer quote it.
jc
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 5
He has a shop. It's funny. Everytime you drive by, there's always a line for an oil change. He charges $30 for regular and $60 for synthetic. He Mexican and used to be a chollo, driving classic lowriders. His father was a mechanic also and he knew alot of people. My friend learned from his father and from all the friends. He is also my son's Godfather.
If he's doing all the above and ALL the O2 sensors for $585--that is a heck of a deal. I understand you've known the guy a long time, but as someone said you better jump on that before he changes his mind. I've got to ask since I'm in the business-- Is this mechanic doing this for you in a repair shop or on the side at house?
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
It takes me about 30 minutes to pull all eight plugs on my 95 LT1. It takes me a little bit longer than that to install the new plugs.
Then the socket falls on the floor about 6 times, gotta stand on your head to get it and wait for the blood to leave your head and the dizziness to go away before restarting. Time for another beer though. Half way through the girlfriend's lawnmower breaks and ya gotta go fix that or the grass will get too high to mow. But first you've got to go to the medicine cabinet and put peroxide on all the scrapes you got while changing that first plug. Then the band-aids after the bleeding stops. I love it. There goes another two hours.....including the 10-15 minutes that she showed her gratitude.
It's an all day job for me, Hey Doc, you should try it yourself and see how much fun you're missing. Personally, I'd rather try to shove a wet noodle up a wildcat's butt.
Last edited by 1963SS; Jul 2, 2011 at 11:25 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
It takes me 30 minutes to run to the store for a 12 pack before I'll even start that wretched job. I've got to use shorty spark plug sockets, 5/8" wrenches, 3/4 wrench for the socket, regular spark plug socket......hell, by the time I've found enough tools Ive already consumed 3 beers. On the Impala SS I used to pull the passenger header. I got new headers.
Then the socket falls on the floor about 6 times, gotta stand on your head to get it and wait for the blood to leave your head and the dizziness to go away before restarting. Time for another beer though. Half way through the girlfriend's lawnmower breaks and ya gotta go fix that or the grass will get too high to mow. There goes another two hours.....including the 15 minutes that she showed her gratitude.
It's an all day job for me, Hey Doc, you should try it yourself and see how much fun you're missing. Personally, I'd rather try to shove a wet noodle up a wildcat's butt.
Then the socket falls on the floor about 6 times, gotta stand on your head to get it and wait for the blood to leave your head and the dizziness to go away before restarting. Time for another beer though. Half way through the girlfriend's lawnmower breaks and ya gotta go fix that or the grass will get too high to mow. There goes another two hours.....including the 15 minutes that she showed her gratitude.
It's an all day job for me, Hey Doc, you should try it yourself and see how much fun you're missing. Personally, I'd rather try to shove a wet noodle up a wildcat's butt.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Ky
It takes me 30 minutes to run to the store for a 12 pack before I'll even start that wretched job. I've got to use shorty spark plug sockets, 5/8" wrenches, 3/4 wrench for the socket, regular spark plug socket......hell, by the time I've found enough tools Ive already consumed 3 beers. On the Impala SS I used to pull the passenger header. I got new headers.
Then the socket falls on the floor about 6 times, gotta stand on your head to get it and wait for the blood to leave your head and the dizziness to go away before restarting. Time for another beer though. Half way through the girlfriend's lawnmower breaks and ya gotta go fix that or the grass will get too high to mow. But first you've got to go to the medicine cabinet and put peroxide on all the scrapes you got while changing that first plug. Then the band-aids after the bleeding stops. I love it. There goes another two hours.....including the 10-15 minutes that she showed her gratitude.
It's an all day job for me, Hey Doc, you should try it yourself and see how much fun you're missing. Personally, I'd rather try to shove a wet noodle up a wildcat's butt.
Then the socket falls on the floor about 6 times, gotta stand on your head to get it and wait for the blood to leave your head and the dizziness to go away before restarting. Time for another beer though. Half way through the girlfriend's lawnmower breaks and ya gotta go fix that or the grass will get too high to mow. But first you've got to go to the medicine cabinet and put peroxide on all the scrapes you got while changing that first plug. Then the band-aids after the bleeding stops. I love it. There goes another two hours.....including the 10-15 minutes that she showed her gratitude.
It's an all day job for me, Hey Doc, you should try it yourself and see how much fun you're missing. Personally, I'd rather try to shove a wet noodle up a wildcat's butt.
thanks for a dose of reality. I fogot to mention that sometimes the back and body are just not as limber as you thought, either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
