how long will they take to install, im getting hooker shorties, and the guy is charging $50/hour for labor. I'm just wondering what i should be looking at for cost!

Thanks

 

took me and my friend a 3 day weekend, but that included removing the entire exhaust, the AC, and installing the headers, along with running around town getting a few tools that we needed. And we took our time because we were beginners. If i was to do it again, just installing the headers, i can see myself doing it in about 8 hrs., so im guessing a professional could do it iin about 6. So you looking at around $300. I say , save the 300 and do it yourself, its not that hard and you will feel so good knowing that you did it yourself. Me and my best friend had alot of fun, good times.

Just search the Exhaust board about header installations, do alot of reading, and you should be fine, thats what i did.

 

Took my brother and I 6hrs to install. It was a basic drop in, though the AC was already out.

 

5 hours alone, A/C already out. And I was using an air ratchet which cut my time down pretty good.

 

ya but i thought shorties were easier to install...and this guy that im gonna have doin it has been working with exhaust sytems for 30 some years, so shouldnt it only be like 3 or 4 hours? or no.... lol

 

If he's quoting you a labor rate, rather than the cost, that probably means he's not sure what he's in for. If he started in 1970, he's probably not as good at shorties, tight spaces, and cats as he is at simplier jobs like custom duals on a Chevelle. Not saying he can't do it, just raises flags in my mind. I'd prefer having a real estimate before the car goes on the lift.

Which Hooker shorties are you talking about? If it's the ones without the y-pipe, it's going to cost even more.

I put mine on while the engine was out, so I can't give you a very good estimate for how long it would take. I doubt it will be less than 6 hours, though.

 

He is going to make a custom y-pipe, he can make mandrel bends, and he told me that he has installed headers countless times, but doesnt know exactly how long it will take on my particular car with emissions (thats what he says anyway). But, I do trust him because he's worked on my brothers camaro and 3 of my friends' cars. He says around 4 hours for it all which he says will come to be around $200......i dont have the tools or anything to do it myself so i have to have someone install it for me....does $200 sound like a reasonable price?? that includes everything (drilling, remounting, any fab work) blah blah! Give me some feedback plz.

Thanks a lot for the help!

Eric :lala: :lala: :lala:

 

Plus materials?

I'd be surprised if you get it all done for less than twice that. But, I've been surprised before.

 

i say buy $200 worth of tools. Then you will be able to do it yourself and still have the tools.

 

you dont need a lift just do it in your driveway. that is what i am doing right now. took 2 hrs for me to go from sitting on couch to having all the old stuff off. and i am currently working on getting new ones in. it looks like it is going to take me 6-8 hrs total.
brady

 

I installed my hedman shorties and y-pipe, and removed all the smog stuff from my lg4 in less than 4 hours. That includes removing the a/c pump, ps pump and modifying the a/c bracket. I know I spent at least 1 1/2 hrs removing the smog crap. That steel crossover tube behind the distributor is a bitch. I didnt have to lift the motor, or move the steering column, or even remove the starter.

 

when i had my LT-1 back in the day... i paid some one to do my headers.. the was in buisness for 25 years.. the guy used to work for a few racers. guy quoted me 45$ an hour to do the work and said shouldnt be more than 5 hours.... keep in mind this is shorty edelbrock's.

12 hours and 2 days later... they are in..

you never know how long it will be when someone just gives you a hourly rate... plus that means they can take thier time if they want to... theres no hurry for them to get it done and out of the way if they know they can milk it..

find a shop with an upfront price.. means they need to get it done ASAP and get to the next job so they get paid..

average header intall from a decent company is about 250$

 

took me 2 hrs to remove crap, and about 4 hrs to put them in. this is my first time to install headers and i was doing it by myself

 

I'd say about a days work with breaks and time to rest from all of the frustation of putting all of the parts in.

 

I don't even WANT to know how long it took me to install these hooker headers on my GTA. In that real tight engine compartment, murphy's law was at work. The project ended up being drawn out over about week because almost everynight i'd run into these bolts that needed some special wrench or socket or someother problem that needed some tool that i didn't have after all the stores closed, which meant i'd have to wait until after work the next day. I'd say it took me a good 12 hours to do this job because all my accessories and smog stuff was all there (and there too stay), with a lot of running around finding special tools and those nuts and bolts i lost. I'm going to probably post a write-up on this installation because the difficulty of the insallation would probably make it a worthwhile reading.....