engine upgrade
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 58
Dewitts Radiator & Fans, GM Damper, GM Belts, LS3 Oil Pan, Comp Belt Tensioner, Camshaft, Timing Chain, Lifters, Pushrods, Water Pump, Oil Pump, LSXR 102mm Intake, NW Throttle Body 102mm, Fast 36 lbs injectors, Fast rail lines, Spark Plugs, all 4 shocks conversion from F55 to Z06 including the deactivation steps, Heads 799 Rebuild and Ported, Springs, Valves, Trunion + Dyno and Tuning.
The car is pulling 406 HP at the wheels, this is fine because I was expecting this amount but the labor cost was totally out of control I guess.
Last edited by typeav; Aug 20, 2016 at 02:03 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,134
Likes: 2,979
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Finally all parts were installed but things didn't went as expected. I paid for all the parts myself. To install this parts I was quoted around $2000 later $4600 but I ended paying $8600 for 77 hours labor including $1200 for the heads rebuild (I'm very mad at myself). Swapping a new LS3 engine probably was a better choice base on this cost. I just do not have words for this but this is the break down on all parts.
Dewitts Radiator & Fans, GM Damper, GM Belts, LS3 Oil Pan, Comp Belt Tensioner, Camshaft, Timing Chain, Lifters, Pushrods, Water Pump, Oil Pump, LSXR 102mm Intake, NW Throttle Body 102mm, Fast 36 lbs injectors, Fast rail lines, Spark Plugs, all 4 shocks conversion from F55 to Z06 including the deactivation steps, Heads 799 Rebuild and Ported, Springs, Valves, Trunion + Dyno and Tuning.
The car is pulling 406 HP at the wheels, this is fine because I was expecting this amount but the labor cost was totally out of control I guess.
Dewitts Radiator & Fans, GM Damper, GM Belts, LS3 Oil Pan, Comp Belt Tensioner, Camshaft, Timing Chain, Lifters, Pushrods, Water Pump, Oil Pump, LSXR 102mm Intake, NW Throttle Body 102mm, Fast 36 lbs injectors, Fast rail lines, Spark Plugs, all 4 shocks conversion from F55 to Z06 including the deactivation steps, Heads 799 Rebuild and Ported, Springs, Valves, Trunion + Dyno and Tuning.
The car is pulling 406 HP at the wheels, this is fine because I was expecting this amount but the labor cost was totally out of control I guess.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,271
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
wow that is insane, I don't see how some shops can take advantage of people like that and still sleep at night... 77 shop hours is ridiculous, they overcharged you about 5 times what they should have
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 58
Im sure they sleep very well......Im the one that can't.
Last edited by typeav; Aug 20, 2016 at 10:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 58
Yes, verbal, that is why I feel so angry, they told me that it was going to be between $1,800 and $2,200 (no porting heads) within 3 days of work and that is why I let then start working on the car, I was even expecting more but less than $4,000. Ending up with $8,600 was far beyond my expectection. Taking into consideration that it took me 2 years to save $5,000 for the parts.
Last edited by typeav; Aug 21, 2016 at 03:45 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,002
Likes: 2,564
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Yes, verbal, that is why I feel so angry, they told me that it was going to be between $1,800 and $2,200 (no porting heads) within 3 days of work and that is why I let then start working on the car, I was even expecting more but less than $4,000. Ending up with $8,600 was far beyond my expectection. Taking into consideration that it took me 2 years to save $5,000 for the parts.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,721
Likes: 67
From: Redding ca.
I BELIEVE! Going to the buisness,web site.write a review,get on Yelp.use the word I BELIEVE,Write another review.word of mouth is still a great way to cost him more than it cost you. Sometimes,can put someone out of business. I BELIEVE!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
Thanks for the experience. Sorry it didn't turn out well. Stuff like this is why I'd much rather buy a built engine from someone, and pay a shop locally to swap the engines; labor costs are very high where I live and unanticipated labor hours pop up all over the place.
LS3 block with a forged bottom end, the right heads, a cam and valve train to make more power, etc, is about ten grand with all the bits and bobs included. It'll make somewhere around 500-550 crank NA depending on what you're looking for, and be ready for boost on top of that. Lose some extra cost in forged parts and it'd be right around what you paid, though of course there's still the cost of the swap.
LS3 block with a forged bottom end, the right heads, a cam and valve train to make more power, etc, is about ten grand with all the bits and bobs included. It'll make somewhere around 500-550 crank NA depending on what you're looking for, and be ready for boost on top of that. Lose some extra cost in forged parts and it'd be right around what you paid, though of course there's still the cost of the swap.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 58
Mild cam 40 hp, Z06 ported heads 30-40 hp, everything else on tuning and misc, the car ended up with 406 HP at the wheel.
Last edited by typeav; Aug 23, 2016 at 03:43 AM.