Ok. So, I've got 2.8 V6, so I think the most size I need for any exhaust for this engine is a 2 1/2". Summit has a DynoMax 2 1/2" cat-back for like $200 with shipping.

I also want to get headers - I'd rather have someone else install them, but I MIGHT consider doing it myself.

So the first place I go to tells me it'll be about a 3 1/2 hour install for the headers - about $270. (75 an hour labor) And he also tells me it would be about 1 hour labor for the cat-back. (I can install that myself easy, but asked anyway.)

So the second guy (here comes the funny part)...He has some DynoMax Performance Exhaust stickers all over his shop, so I ask him about a cat-back. Maybe he thought I wouldn't know anything, being that I'll be 18 in a week, and I do pretty much look like it. He looks at me square in the eye and says "$650 for the cat-back and install."

My face was saying, "Oh, ok." but in my head I was going "!?!?! ?!?!?! ?!?!? !?!"

Just thought I would share. This site was the first thing I thought of when he told me that. I couldn't wait to get home and write this.

The same guy also told me it would be almost $400 to get a small crease/dent taken out of my passenger door. That would be for grinding it out and all that and repainting it. I'd rather slap a can of bondo on there and smooth it out/paint over it. He was a little crazy. I knew I wouldn't be happy when I walked in and he was allready instigating an arguement with a customer who was asking about getting his A/C fixed. He wasn't worried about losing customers at all.

I'm so ready for some junk yard shopping as soon as I turn 18 though!

 

3 1/2 hours to install headers doesn't sound all that out of line.

 

The numbers the shops provided to you seem pretty close to what things would be. The 650 for a catback and install is a bit high, but everything else seems to be around the going rate. Auto shops are

 

The only thing I was surprised to hear was the $650 for the cat-back...I would assume that if it was a Borla or something close, but not for a Dynomax catback and a one hour install. That's crazy.


The guy who told me 3 1/2 hours for the header install was a cool guy, I liked that he was realistic about how easy a cat-back install is. If I get anything done, I'll be going to him.

 

3 1/2 hours can turn out to be pretty optimistic for a header install as well, if you start breaking exhaust bolts off in the head.

 

i wouldn't put headers on a car for $200, so i think you have a good quote.

 

Oh yeah. I expect thats probably, if not the best price I'll find around here. I know some people aren't even going to offer a header install.

 

I would, as long as it was understood that I could give up at any time without finishing as soon as something went wrong.

 

I wouldnt do anything to the 2.8. Not trying to knock your car - it looks sweet but I have been there done that with the GM v6's. If you want to see people make power with a v6, go browse around mymonte.com and clupgp. They are all about the 60* motors and the 3800 series II. There were a couple of fast FWD cars on that board that would RAPE alot of cars around here, and I wanted so bad to make my car fast like that. I mean who expects a lumina bodystyle monte carlo to be fast?

But what I am saying is that my LO3 is ridiculously fast compared to my last car. It just keeps pulling. I can only imagine driving a TPI motor. Why dont you keep the firebird for a nice looking daily driver, and look for a cheap V8 car to buy and start modding? I mean, drive one and you will understand what I am saying. For a clip of what my 3.1 sounded like, listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny84lgZO2Ww

 

You need to get your head on straight, that sounds very reasonable.

 

really, the exhaust shop guy ain't there to be your new best buddy just because you've got "a wicked sweet cah". he's there to make money. it's his job.

 

Guys, I wasn't saying all those prices I got were rediculous. Just the one that was $650 for the catback.


All the other prices I was given were very reasonable. I don't want you to think that I'm putting the guy down who said he would do the header install for $270ish. That was a number I expected to hear. I tried to clear that up when I said this:

 

My header install involved grinding clearances in the suspension...that involved installing the headers, finding the damn clearance issue, removing the headers, modifying, then having to reinstall the headers...thats some more time there instead of the straight forward OEM replacement that involves no modifying.

 

i would install headers for 200. anyway thats not why i posted. i posted to say that i got a custom y pipe 2.5" into a 3" pipe custom all the way back and over the axle at a local shop and the guy charged me only $180 and he did a good job with clearance and everything. the only downfall is that im in such a rural area that they didnt have a mandrel bender so i got wrinkle bends but for that price i dont care. its not a race car.