Hey guys. I'm wondering what is a good price for getting my kooks headers installed. Called around most shops are asking for 700-800 for installation then 400-500 for a tune. Sounds like there adding a lot of the 'corvette tax' I'm in western Massachusetts. Thanks for the help

 

who did you call for the install? I did it in my driveway in about 8 hrs with the help of a friend. Trust me it was not easy... I am in RI and in RI or MA Slowhawk perf in bridgewater is the best for any corvette work.

 

I'd rather not ruffle any feathers by mentioning shop names. I will pm you a few names if you like. I was thinking of doing it myself. Honestly the hardest /scariest part for me is lifting the car high enough. Lol

 

 

Definitely doable are you driving a stick or auto?

 

That's an awesome idea thanks! Its a stick

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...r-install.html

 

You are absolutely correct. It is very difficult to get the car high
enough in the air to do the work. I have done it on jack stands
and on a lift, and its a pain in the butt. I would say $600-$800
would be a far price for the work. The reason I did my own is that
I dont trust anyone not to scratch my car.
Oh yeah, I did a clutch at the same time.
Chris

 

What I would recomend is buying new spark plug wires cause i broke one taking them off. I bought ac delco oem wires, plugs, gaskets, and header bolts. I bought all original parts and was told that if your gonna pull the spark plugs out you should put new ones in.
use anti seize on the spark plugs
You dont need new header gaskets i bought them and used them but did not need to
new header bolts because old bolts have loc tite on them and can muck up the threads, and on a aluminum block not cool.. worth the 10 or 20 bucks
make sure you get everything away from the headers when done.
I melted the slave cylinder hose on the header and it cost 1600 to get fixed at the dealer.
You only have to get the hose a 1/4 inch away from the header so it wont melt.
I bought aluminum heat tape at harbor freight and wrapped the o2 extentions and transmission cooler lines in it. I did not wrap the starter with a heat shield and no problems
the wood was 2x12x16 bought at lowes and they cut it down for me. I now use for oil changes and any other time i need to get under there to see something.
I think thats it but it can be done.
I paid a tuner here in ri to turn off the check engine light and did not tune the car. the commputer has the ability to correct the air fuel and i was a little nervous about the long term reliability changing the tune. did i leave hp on the table yea but i am ok with that. i paid 250 for the check engine light to be turned off. i used a harbor frieght 3 ton floor jack and it is good quality and has held up great. 70 bucks you cant beat that. any questions feel free to ask. I will find you some helpful links

 

I felt better about doing it myself

 

Thanks guys for your replies and the great information. As a business owner myself I understand all the expenses involved in running one. Biggest problem I have with paying 600-800 is that there telling me that with pneamatics and a lift they could get it done in two-three hours including the tune! That's over 200 an hour. Kind of steep if you ask me

 

Yep, most mechanics are paid flat rate. Which means they are going to hurry to finish. They wont be too carefule with your baby!

 

I just sent them off today to ceramic coat them. I will definitely be doing it myself. Thanks!

 

I had mine coated too. Just wrap them in masking tape before the
install. Thats something your mechanic would never do.

 

i should have gotten mine coated, good choice...

 

really great step by step here... what they dont mention is the slave cylinder hose. icant stress that enough. i used this as a guide to do my installhttp://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0704gm_header_installation/viewall.html

 

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...n/viewall.html

 

I paid 1100 for install and tune

 

Man I love this forum!!! Thanks guys. You have no idea how much you've helped me already. Hopefully I can repay with some knowledge in the future

 

good suggestions in your above post, black.z51!