Is $450 for header installation rip off?
How hard is it to tighten header bolts yourself, does it require removal of components or engine lift?
How much power is the following worth over a stock 88 350 tpi
Complete custom bent 3inch exhaust pipes including custom y pipe, and magnaflow muffler. Also are all those parts, pipe bending, and installation labor worth about $580?

 

To me, it would be a rip-off and wouldn't be worth it.

All of the parts, from headers to y-pipe to cat to cat-back can be purchased as bolt-ons. Okay, there's no such thing as a "bolt-on", but the issues that come up requiring modification will be minor.

Headers: $210-$350 with y-pipe.
Direct-fit high-flow cat: $120
3" performance cat-back w/muffler: $250-400.
All of these pipes will be mandrel-bent, unlike the typical "custom" exhaust systems.

Installation of the above requires a hard flat surface & 4 jack stands, common hand tools, and (optional) something to cut apart the old system for ease of removal (such as a Saws-all).

Power gain will be ~10-20%, depending upon your other mods. Probably closer to the lower end, because the TPI systems were the best the factory made for 3rd gens.

 

Hmm, well if a high end system costs 400, thats not that much less then what he is charging plus that includes installation.

 

I would bet the $400 would be for an install only... surely

 

huh?

 

The header bolts are not all that hard to tighten, it is just getting the wrench on them (forget about a socket, no way it'll fit), and then tightening the bolts with the awkward angle you have to put your wrist in.

 

He's sayin, that they will charge you $400 for the install.

 

I still dont understand the phrase, does he mean headers shouldnt cost more then 400 to install?

 

I'd reccomend doing it yourself. It's not very hard, and it's $400 worth of other mods you can do to the car. Also if you do it, get Stage 8 locking headers bolts, they are worth the money. You can use an allen wrench to tighten them which is especially helpful.

 

Install yourself if you can. Then, leave them open for a while.