Professional installs/tunes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Southport NC
Professional installs/tunes
I called a local speed shop to ask about getting Kooks headers and an x-pipe with cats installed. The price they quoted to me for labor seems high, but the parts are reasonable. What do you guys think?
Install: 6 hours at $90/hr = $540
Dyno time (required for tune): $300
Tuning: 2 hours at $150/hr = $300
Total: $1140, which is almost as much as the cost of the parts ($1450)
I could probably get it installed by a mechanic for half as much (the quoted price on the parts is not contingent on them doing the install), but I'd still end up spending $600 on the tune.
Install: 6 hours at $90/hr = $540
Dyno time (required for tune): $300
Tuning: 2 hours at $150/hr = $300
Total: $1140, which is almost as much as the cost of the parts ($1450)
I could probably get it installed by a mechanic for half as much (the quoted price on the parts is not contingent on them doing the install), but I'd still end up spending $600 on the tune.
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: FL
Install them yourself! very easy! you can even leave all of the spark plugs in! just unbolt the oil dipstick and pull it out and take off the wires. Tie your 02 sensor extensions up good! I installed my whole system in my driveway in about three hours. It ran very strong afterwords even with no tune at all. Just have yourself a good jack. The key is to get the front end of the car high enough and they slide in like butter. By far the easiest header install I have ever done. If you have any questions pm me I would be glad to answer
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
Please don't leave the spark plugs in. We get 10 cars a summer show up for a dyno tune and the first thing we have to do is find the broken plug. 10 minutes to remove plugs on a cold engine. An hour if it's smoking hot.
Randy
Randy
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Southport NC
I think I'll offer them 2200 for the parts, labor, and dyno time and see what they say. I've got multiple accounts from people saying it takes less than 3 hours to do it yourself. No reason they should need 6 hours for the install with a lift.
Last edited by Fissile; Sep 1, 2010 at 11:38 AM. Reason: spell check tried to correct dyno
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 147
From: St. Louis MO
I called a local speed shop to ask about getting Kooks headers and an x-pipe with cats installed. The price they quoted to me for labor seems high, but the parts are reasonable. What do you guys think?
Install: 6 hours at $90/hr = $540
Dyno time (required for tune): $300
Tuning: 2 hours at $150/hr = $300
Total: $1140, which is almost as much as the cost of the parts ($1450)
I could probably get it installed by a mechanic for half as much (the quoted price on the parts is not contingent on them doing the install), but I'd still end up spending $600 on the tune.
Install: 6 hours at $90/hr = $540
Dyno time (required for tune): $300
Tuning: 2 hours at $150/hr = $300
Total: $1140, which is almost as much as the cost of the parts ($1450)
I could probably get it installed by a mechanic for half as much (the quoted price on the parts is not contingent on them doing the install), but I'd still end up spending $600 on the tune.
You don't need a dyno tune. After all, guys use mail order tunes all the time, and those aren't dynoed on their car, right?
I'm not advocating a mail order tune, but a competent tuner has a repertoire of previous tunes, at least several with your engine/mods. And hour on the street, for tweeks, and you'd have a very reasonable tune.
Now, you may well leave some top-rpm horsepower on the table! And you won't know your power output that day. I'm just sayin . . . the dyno isn't strictly necessary.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,517
Likes: 63
From: Pennsylvania
I installed my whole system in my driveway in about three hours.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,421
Likes: 200
From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
I had headers installed at a dealer with a labor cost of about $300.
ECS mail order tune http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
ECS mail order tune http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
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******RETIRED ARMY******
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '12
You can do the install yourself but need a tune afterwards and also take out the plugs no need to crack one of them. The tune needs to be done on dyno for wide-tuning. You are moving the cats back farther and also moving the 02 sensors back and it will need a tune. The first time you get onto it in full open throttle (FOT) the check engine will come on.
I just installed the Kooks with X-pipe and SLP exhaust and also added a Honker CAI last night. Heading to CarTek in Jersey Fri Morning for the tune and dyno.
If you can pick up some extra heat tape to ensure all 02 sensor wires are away from heat source.
I just installed the Kooks with X-pipe and SLP exhaust and also added a Honker CAI last night. Heading to CarTek in Jersey Fri Morning for the tune and dyno.
If you can pick up some extra heat tape to ensure all 02 sensor wires are away from heat source.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
RUN FORREST!!! RUN! 
Those prices are UNREAL!
Hell,, have a mod party and get the job done for little or nothing. Heres how I did mine:
Jack and remove the old stuff install headers and un-jack,,,,,, total 4 hours.
ARH headers are your best bet for fit and performance!
A dyno tune is not necessary right after the header install.
Shop around for a good tuner who will perform a good on the road wide band tune for over all best performance. Most decent wide band tunes cost $350-$450
$600 for a tune is INSANE!
Remove the plugs or risk this!!!!
Bump ONE plug and that will happen! Trust me!
BC
Those prices are UNREAL!
Hell,, have a mod party and get the job done for little or nothing. Heres how I did mine:Jack and remove the old stuff install headers and un-jack,,,,,, total 4 hours.
ARH headers are your best bet for fit and performance!
A dyno tune is not necessary right after the header install.
Shop around for a good tuner who will perform a good on the road wide band tune for over all best performance. Most decent wide band tunes cost $350-$450
$600 for a tune is INSANE!
Remove the plugs or risk this!!!!
Bump ONE plug and that will happen! Trust me!
BC
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Installing the headers your self is quite easy on the C6's.
If you decide to do so, please remove the spark plugs like others have said. We charge $400.00 to install the headers and then $550.00 for the tune. BUT our tune is a street tune, not a dyno tune. Much better performance afterwards and it also takes longer than 2hrs to tune a car properly.
Chris
If you decide to do so, please remove the spark plugs like others have said. We charge $400.00 to install the headers and then $550.00 for the tune. BUT our tune is a street tune, not a dyno tune. Much better performance afterwards and it also takes longer than 2hrs to tune a car properly.
Chris
Last edited by Chris@HPS; Sep 2, 2010 at 11:23 AM.
