Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL?
I really don't want to crawl around on the floor of my garage to do a heads /cam install on my '01. I have done it before on my '98 and I think I would like to avoid the aggravation of the steering rack and have a NORCAL shop do the work. I usually like to go Speed Merchant in San Jose for any work that I can't do/ won't do. Unfortunately, I was quoted $2400 LABOR only. Any suggestions on another competent shop with a more realistic cost structure would be appreciated. Northstar would not be a consideration--they are even higher.
[Modified by 2ndVette, 9:38 AM 1/5/2002]
[Modified by 2ndVette, 9:38 AM 1/5/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 1
From: Lynnfield MA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (2ndVette)
I don't have any recommendations as where you can go but $750.00 - $1000.00 is a fair cost for installation on heads and cam IMHO... BTW, about 15 hours for the job by an experienced mechanic... Good luck!
Nick
Nick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,020
Likes: 0
From: Union City CA
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (Smoke-N-Shot)
I had considered doing the H/C swap myself, but realised it would be probably easier to have it done for me. I am going to drive to SCal to have it done since that's where most of the tuners live. You're right about the labour rates here.
George
George
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga CA
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (2ndVette)
Maybe you can try Corvette Connection, in Campbell.
$2.5k for heads and cams is more than most pay for a complete engine swap. I paid an arm and a leg to get my clutch installed there, but at least it was done right.
99 C5 M6
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1
From: San Leandro California
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (2ndVette)
SF Bay Area prices are just freaking crazy! :crazy:
I got a quote of $1500 to install the Stereo system I bought! Alpine deck, (2) MB Q tweets, (4) MB Q Mids, (1) Sub with (2) Fosgate Amps. And that quote was for LABOR only!!! :mad
At $89/hr for Stereo install I'm going to do it myself.
:cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss
I got a quote of $1500 to install the Stereo system I bought! Alpine deck, (2) MB Q tweets, (4) MB Q Mids, (1) Sub with (2) Fosgate Amps. And that quote was for LABOR only!!! :mad
At $89/hr for Stereo install I'm going to do it myself.
:cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,184
Likes: 1
From: NE Ohio
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (Barely Legal)
I'm in Sac, and can do it. Already done about 6 sets on F body's
15 Hours @ about $65 per is about what I'd do it for.
15 Hours @ about $65 per is about what I'd do it for.
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 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (Barely Legal)
Barely legal: I tried to send you an email, but it bounced back. How can I reach you? My email is MarkFreels@AOL.com....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (2ndVette)
I would go to RPM Engines in Rhonert Park. Ask to talk to Brad, He is the guy who took care of my car recently and they did an Excellent Job! They have a full machine shop and build racing engines every day of the week. They can also Dyno your car after the install! :eek: They will be doing all of my Engine Mods in the future. :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Call (707) 584-8230
vetterdstr :cheers:
Call (707) 584-8230
vetterdstr :cheers:
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,607
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (2ndVette)
$2400 for heads&cam install labor? :eek: :eek: :eek: That is a f.ucking rip-off. Personally I would never, ever, going to take my car to those kind of shops. I wonder how many install they do per year.
-Tuan
-Tuan
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (Tuan Le)
thanks to everyone that responded. This is where the Forum has a lot of value. We can all share experiences, tech tips, pricing on parts and installs, and oh yeah, the ripoffs from Ca dealers!!! :)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,820
Likes: 0
From: Burlington ON
Cruise-In I, II, III, IV & V Veteran
CI-I & II Auto-X Champ
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (2ndVette)
I am not sure how far Sacramento is from you but Ralph at Hot Rod Heaven is an installer of ARE head/cam packages and motors. I am not sure of his exact pricing but I think it is very fair. He also has a Dyno-jet dyno with wideband air/fuel sensor for tuning. Ralph has lots of experience with tuning and installs on all GM EFI cars. He also has a mean LS1 Z28 that he races.
I have sent a couple ARE customers to him and they have come back VERY happy with the results. If you are interested in any details or pricing on the heads/cam packages, shoot me an email.
[Modified by MattG, 9:41 PM 1/6/2002]
I have sent a couple ARE customers to him and they have come back VERY happy with the results. If you are interested in any details or pricing on the heads/cam packages, shoot me an email.
[Modified by MattG, 9:41 PM 1/6/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL? (MattG)
Well Gee........I think I would go to Nick Agostino's only ARE authorized installer right in Sacramento. I mean thats who did my stuff. I think Ralph charged me $650 for my heads and cam install, but that was a one time only deal for me at F Body prices......he now charges $800-900, the removal of the steering rack to get the cam in is the additional costs. You can probably bargain with him though.....I mean he did do my H&C, TPIS Headers, Clutch, Pully, LS6 Intake, 85 MM MAF, and programming for $1500. My suggestion is to get there before all the other C5's in the Sacramento area see and feel my car. Its fun grabbing second and burning out for 30 yards at 70 mph trying to get traction on my 335/30 18's. By the way the two ARE 422's he put in are beautiful, as well as the super charger package he did too.
Ralph Gobel's Hot Rod Heaven
(916) 387 0481
Tell him Kevin sent you!
Ralph Gobel's Hot Rod Heaven
(916) 387 0481
Tell him Kevin sent you!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 0
Re: Heads/cam install labor only NORCAL?
Chevy dealers should be able to quote you $72-75/hr. Still high, but lower than that Quote.
It takes a lot of searching to find a good & fair shop that only charges $50/hr. Try searching performance Camaro/TA/Firebird LS1 shops. Ask around at LS1.Com or ls1tech.com
[Modified by MelloYellow, 9:51 PM 1/6/2002]
It takes a lot of searching to find a good & fair shop that only charges $50/hr. Try searching performance Camaro/TA/Firebird LS1 shops. Ask around at LS1.Com or ls1tech.com
[Modified by MelloYellow, 9:51 PM 1/6/2002]
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
cam install on a c5 in sacramento or stockton price range in 2018
hi was wonder what a cam install would cost in sacramento or stockton on a c5 corvette in 2018! tuners and people who install exhausts ect.. good prices thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
Wow, what a thread necro. This thread is older than my 2003 C5. This thread is sixteen years old! Well, almost seventeen.
But you're in luck! Because I'll give you a real answer.
Call Rich @ Abel Chevrolet out in Rio Vista. He will take care of you. They're a dealer but they specialize in corvettes, super knowledgeable.
But you're in luck! Because I'll give you a real answer.
Call Rich @ Abel Chevrolet out in Rio Vista. He will take care of you. They're a dealer but they specialize in corvettes, super knowledgeable.
