I'm pretty sure the quote I just got to install a cat back and replace the Z51 Spoiler with a High Wing is ridiculously overpriced.

They want 4.5 hours of labor at 200/hr to install the exhaust - I've seen countless videos of people doing it DIY in a "few hours"...I'd do it myself but my back makes this task impossible for the next 6-8 months.

I asked them to quote me for R/R the Wing while the bumper was already off doing the exhaust Install - they want 1.5 hours labor at 150/hr - Literally all the extra they have to do for the wing is take off less ten 10 bolts, and then put them back in the new spoiler while the bumper is already removed.

They want a total of 1226 dollars for this; That's Crazy right?

////I'm just south of Jacksonville, Florida - If anyone knows a good place to get this done by the way/////

 

Thats just how flat rate works, regardless of rather they have to take the bumper off anyway the job still pays 1.5 hours. They have to go by the book. Honestly 1200 seems more than fair to me with what's involved. I probably wouldn't do it for less than that when you factor in overhead and liability.

 

I assume that "they" are a dealership? If so, that price is not out of line

 

That's not how flat rate works. Flat rate job quotes are for things that have "book" time values. It is also for certified mechanics. This is a customization shop, removing a bumper, taking out 5 studs, unplugging 4 connectors, putting new exhaust on with some clamps, unbolting and re-bolting a spoiler and rehanging the bumper. It's not a brake job, a transmission install, an engine swap, etc. If my back wasn't jacked at the moment, this is a 2.5 hour job in my garage. Asking someone to pay for 6 hours of work for it to be done is crazy talk. This is the kind of job that should be quoted as a "flat rate" for the entire job and taking into consideration that the spoiler adds 10 mins to the job if they are inept and have 4 thumbs.

 

I mean you asked for opinions... if you can find someone to do it cheaper then great, Im just saying from a shop owner perspective this doesn't seem outrageous to me. This hobby isn't cheap and if you can do something yourself then you can save money. Sorry about the situation with your back, that truly does suck, but that really doesn't mean the shop owner should do it for less than he values the work and his technician's skills/time. Everyone seems to forget shops have to keep the lights on and pay insurance costs, that's going to get factored into the bill.

 

I honestly think that's pretty fair - exhaust R&R isn't complicated but it's time consuming if you do it right, especially if it has valves. Sure someone could probably do it faster but are they doing it right? Putting the bumper shims back etc

 

I got several quotes to install the Borla S Type exhaust on my 2023 SR. They all had a 4-hour estimate, but the prices ranged from $500 to $716. I also talked to two local Chevy dealers, and they would not do the install because the S-Type is not a GM-Certified exhaust. I visited two of the independent shops recommended by the local Corvette club and ended up going with the $500 install. They also included the valve relearn after the install, but I had to do the relearn a second time myself a couple of weeks later.

I would contact your local Covette club and get their recommendations before going with the $900 quote.

 

Is cheaper better? Or just cheaper?

 

Is more expensive better, or just more expensive?

 

I don't think that is too far out of line.... I've installed my own cat back LeMans Edition Center Exit Track exhaust, as well as help 2 of my friends install their Corsa Extreme Cat Back exhaust with AFM valves. In my case, it was over 5 hours to complete. With my other friends exhaust it was at least 4 hours to complete. Keep in mind, the dealer will, or should do a valve relearn if you kept AFM valves. That take some amount of time to complete.... by the time they get their tool, do the re learn, etc it's at least 15minutes so I would think that's part of their 4.5 hour estimate.

As for your thoughts on swapping out the wing since the bumper is off....... don't forget..... it's not just the 6 bolts. Under each mounting point there is residual double sided tape that someone has to clean off and then apply a new piece prior to the installation. I can easily see at least 1 hour minimum for doing this as the bumper is already off. I've swapped my Z51 spoiler a total of 3 times and helped 3 of my friends do theirs. It's time consuming to get the residual double sided tape off.

 

Had Borla replaced my ATAK….it took 4 hours from the time it was on the lift until it came off. I watched the entire process. So that’s from a company that does quite a few installs. As far as the wing….1.5 hours for peace of mind, yeah, I’ll pay that. Alignment of the back panel is critical and let’s not forget the risk of damage. You think $1200 is alot, try owing a 911, you ain’t seen nothing.

 

For a dealer quote, that probably is not unreasonable, especially if the labor rate is $200+/hour.

 

Chevy dealer installed my Borla S-type. It took 4 hours and they did a great job. Well worth what they charged.

 

That price isn't that bad really. For both installs it will be over 5 hours. The longest part for me was cleaning the old double sided tape off the rear bumper.
The tail lights have to come out to get to the bolts on the wing.

 

I don't think it's out of line.

If anyone has suggestions on how to remove the difficult nut on each side of the rear facia I'll take notes and appreciate the lesson. If you've done this, you know the one I'm talking about. It's way back in there, and I have yet to find a hand tool in my possession that makes reaching it and removing it easy. I've done the job twice, and have to do it again here yet this winter I fear.

 

I just installed a catback and spoiler. IMHO, anything less than $1K is reasonable.

 

Buy this. I can do a 3 fasteners on each side in less than 3 minutes/side.

 

I would much rather do a full brake swap than this and I have done both. The exhaust was a bitch to get out and one of the cat flange bolts took all the threads out with it. The spoiler is likely double sided taped on and they will have to clean up the bumper which is a pain if all the adhesive is left behind. I also would chare similar price to do this job.

 

I paid around $800+ for corsa install and swapped out z51 spoiler. I want to say it included the relearn, but I'm not positive.

 

You think $1200 is expensive to change a spoiler and exhaust? It is no longer 1975. I helped a buddy change his exhaust. It took (2) of us 4 hrs. It is not hard work, just takes time. We are not pros, but in our case we would have charged 8 hrs x $200 or $1600 just for install. That is why dealers charge book price. Some mechanics are good and fast, some slower and not as good. Charging the same keeps the customer off the hook when he gets a slow or marginal mechanic. In the old days they charged actually which typically bit you with some dealers purposely having mechanics work slow to ensure work time was filled on slow days. I had a buddy who was a Chrysler mechanic tell me most times book rates were well understated and didn't account for some of the lead-up or rebuild work to do just the book job.