I am budgeting for the labor on my 85 IROC front end rebuild. I am purchasing the Energy kit. What is the average price to have this kit installed. I am also installing some SFC's. Any guestimates on these also.
Thanks

 

Make sure you're not charged for "double labor". Here's a link to an old message that will show you what I mean: https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/001091.html


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

I read that post earlier. I have a good 3rd Gen mech that is doing my LT1 swap. However I havent asked him about the front end. I am looking at any other options to reduce labor cost.

 

I feel that if you dont to it yourself, and you should have no pride in your car. im 17 years old and have done all the bellow BY MYSELF, and have learned alot doing it. I would never pay anyone to touch my car unless i was getting it painted or it was something i just could not to. I Think it would be in your best interest to Buy a really go kit and install it ourself, and have the satifaction of saying "I Did That" and same with your lt1 swap, Hell i rebuilt my engine and i had no expirence of doing it before. You would be suppriesed how much you can learn from manuals, magazines, tvshows, and you guys. If their is a will, their a way

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90 RS 305 tbi, 4 3/4" cowl Hood, Crane roller cam, comp roller rockers, vortec heads/intake, ported tbi, w/new injectors, 1 inch tbi spacer, air foil, 14x4 k&n flat base air cleaner, Rebuilt 700r4 w/ B&M shift kit, B&M Megashifter, 3.23 posi, 2 12 RF's with mtx amp, top of line alpine cd player, soon to have 90-91 gfx, z-28 wing, new paintjob, rims, and all new lowered suspension

 

it's really not that tough to do it yourself. just get a set of pickle forks and a floor jack(and jackstands). it's easy to take all the stuff off, and once you get the a-arms off take them to get the bushings pressed in. I had to take my car to the shop to get two bolts burned off(the had siezed in the inner sleeves of the bushings), and had them pressin ball joints and bushings, and it was about $300. Unless you run into sezed bolts, it's not too difficult a job. Don't forget to get an alignment afterwards.

If you are going to attempt it yourself, you can email me if you run into any problems, otherwise it's goiong to cost you around $600 for the shop to do it, if not more.

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'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension
"speed kills. buy a f@&d, live forever."

 

i just rebuilt my front end (and rear) with 2" lowering spindles, and full suspension/ steering package from PST.

pkg incl.=
-centerlink
-idler arm
-inner&outer tierods
-sleeves
-frontend poly bushings
-swaybar

...and it was not hard at all. the only thing that i couldnt do myself was the bushings for the lower contron arm which had to get pressed out and new ones in. other than that i was good, besides the alignment.

im not saying do it yourself, but just experience from someone who has done it already. you could save a ton of money and use it to rebuild the rear.

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'86WS7
Ram Air...
*EiyseWhite*

 

I agree with what your saying. I have restored the interior with no experience. It s looks awesome. However to make a long story short. I am 32, married w/ kids. So to make time is hard. My family comes first so the car may sit for a month before I can touch it again. However I am interested in doing the front end cause I heard its not that hard. The LT1 swap... I will write a check and not worry about it. Thanks for your message.
LAte

 

Any good links that detail this process ?
I am going to start buttering the wife for time devoted to the car. I just need to read about all the steps involved.

 

got to www.p-s-t.com and go to the front end rebuild instructions. That will tell all involved in most cars, though third gens have less stuff to change. Mostly you just take everything off with sockets, wrenches and pickle forks. Then bolt everything back on (after taking control arm bushings and ball joints to the machine shop to get pressed in). Take it to an alignment shop and you're done! WARNING: be careful when decompressing the coil springs! Use a floor jack to s-l-o-w-l-y lower the control arms to uncoil the spring. Other wise it will shoot out at you, and injure you or mess up other stuff. Good luck!

 

here's another good one.

http://www.nextgenparts.com/ngprojec...suspension.htm

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'86WS7
Ram Air...
*EiyseWhite*

 

Actually, rebuilding the front end is not that hard to do. You can save a lot money and time by replacing the bushings yourself. I did it by using the balljointremoval/installation tool that you can rent for free from Auto Zone. Once I figured it out with the first control arm, I did the second one in 20 minutes. This was my first attempt at rebuilding a front end and I understand that finding the time can be difficult but I also agree with 90rsMustangkiller that the sense of satisfaction and pride one gets from completing a project like this can't be bought. Either way, good luck!

Ken

 

I appreciate your help. I have decided to do it myself as I am finished with my interior. (Just need 2 front seats) I am ready take my time and do it my self. Everybodies info was great. Thanks