I bought a 1982 Z28 that had the power steering taken out of it as it was being turned into a track car. I want to put the power steering back in it so I took my car to a local shop to get a quote because I live in a apartment complex with nowhere to work on it myself. The car came with a dress up kit (aluminum water pump, chrome alternator, chrome power steering pump, chrome pulley's, chrome brackets and 2 v-belts). I bought the power steering gear and hoses for the power steering as well, so I asked them to install that kit and get the power steering working. They told me it would take about 9 hours to do the job and quoted me 100.00hr and said there was "fabrication" needed to install the return line since they had to make a fitting since I didn't have the original. My current engine has only 1000 miles on it so none of the bolts to the water pump, etc are rusty. Does this quote seem right? I seen a guy install that complete dress up kit in another car and it took about an hour and a half to get everything swapped and bolted up so how can this take 9 hours? Should I get another quote somewhere else? I'm no pro mechanic but I have installed a water pump before on a 88 Firebird and it didn't take but a couple of hours...with broken bolts even. Thoughts?

 

Same reason it cost 250 bucks to change front brake pads at a dealership...they figure if you can't do it, then you'll pay to have it done.

So, I'd suggest the simple route, call a few shops and ask them "Hey, I'd like you to swap out my steering box for a new one I have, how much?"

Give ya an idea.

BTW, other than sitting still, what issues are you having with the manual box?.

 

Find out exactly what fitting is required. I'd be skeptical about anyone telling me that a fitting needed fabrication unless this some kind of custom job. However, if it's just a stock installation and all the other parts are just chrome with no special installation brackets, etc, then, it doesn't seem logical that a fitting requires fabrication for something that should be stock.

Check online for this fitting. There are several sites that deal with third gen parts. Additionally, for power steering, you may be able to find whatever is needed at a local parts house or a salvage yard.

Nine hours might seem reasonable for a custom job, but I have a hard time seeing this as "custom". IMO, it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to install a power steering system provided you provide all the parts.

 

No other issues besides the normal issues. I plan to drive it more on the street so the power steering will make it more enjoyable.

 

This isn't a custom job at all, the parts are bolt-on parts and I did provide all the parts for the power steering system. Also, the A/C and anything else that wasn't "needed" has been removed so getting to everything is real easy. I'm going to have them hold off on it until I call a couple more shops. I've never installed power steering before and if it wasn't for that I would do it all myself.