I recently had transmission work done on my car and the cost seems more than any other work needed on a car. So how much do the guys who remove, install and the rebuilders make for a salary ?

 

I had an offer one time of 40% of whatever I could generate. But I am way to comfy at my current job, it would take more than that.

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If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

I made $8hr doing diagnostics, $12 an hour doing R&R, and my buddy makes $50+ an hour as a builder (but he can build them RIGHT in 1/4 the time the book calls for).

Shops go by a labor book (X = so many hours) and an hourly rate (around $45 an hour).

They kinda screw you because lots of the stuff takes less time than the book calls for, like:
I can pull a 700 in a third gen in about 30 minutes and install one in about 50-60 minutes, but the book says 2.5 to pull/3 to install.

But then you have to think about it, they've got to cover their insurance, lights, property loans, franchise dues, supplies, etc.

My old boss would walk away with about $2K a week profit (after covering ALL costs), that's doing 30-40 cars. That's only $50 a car profit!

 

dont know must be awesome for 700's!!

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1989 firebird formula

Mods: converted from T.B.I. to a carburator 305 to a 350. Flowmater exhaust,hedman shortie hedders,202 heads,350 horse cam,bored.40 over, Edlebrock torker2 intake.

Future mods 400 performer rpm intake (polished) and 600 edlebrock carb, comp roller cam, and way better heads. orpossibly a 383 stroker?

 

You also need to think, how often do you need to rebuild your transmission? Does $1,500 every 10-15 years REALLY hurt you?

 

1500$ hurts anytime!! especially when you aren't expecting it to happen.

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1989 firebird formula

Mods: converted from T.B.I. to a carburator 305 to a 350. Flowmater exhaust,hedman shortie hedders,202 heads,350 horse cam,bored.40 over, Edlebrock torker2 intake.

Future mods 400 performer rpm intake (polished) and 600 edlebrock carb, comp roller cam, and way better heads. orpossibly a 383 stroker?

[This message has been edited by burnoutrpm (edited January 14, 2001).]

 

This whole flate rate argument has been going on since it came out many years ago, and let me break it down for you. If a water pump pays 2 hours by the book, then that is the average of what it takes technicians. If I can crank it out in an hour, than you still pay the two hours. If it takes me three hours, you still pay the two hours. "Beating the clock" is my incentive to finish fast, but in the back of my mind I have to remember that if I take to many shortcuts and screw it up, I will have to go back and fix it, wich will end up screwing me, so I work fast, yet accuratly. If I do beat the clock, so what, you, as the customer are paying for my expertise. If I can do the water pump in an hour, your probably thinking you should only have to pay for the hour labor. How about the guy behind you. He has he exact same problem as you, exact same car, yet the "new" guy gets his car, and the water pump takes three hours. According to your theory, he should have to pay the three hours because it reflects "actual time". So how come this guy has to pay 3x's what you did for the EXACT SAME JOB? And this ain't like the lobsters at Red Lobster either, you can't just say "OK, I want THAT tech right there working on my car, he looks pretty good". Whoever needs something, gets it. So by using the flat rate system, you will be charged the same labor hours regardless of which dealership, which pep boys, or goodyear, because most of them use Mitchels or whatever, and they are all about the same.

But if you still think its BS, just remember, you always have a second option, DO IT YOUR DAMN SELF!!!!

'nough said.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

$1,500 hurts a lot expetially if that is more 10% of your yearly income. BTW I am only 17 and still in high school.

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Mike Kenny
Current: 1991 RS 305 TBI
Past: 1990 RS 305 TBI (A woman forgot what red lights are for)
Current: mostly stock - newer 305 w/ 12,000 on it
Eclipse speakers all around w/ 10" tube powered by a Alpine V12 in back
K&N filter w/XStream flow lid - It is sweet!!
Future: 2" Cowl hood

 

Duh!




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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Livin' the Stereotype

 

long time ago and far away i got 50% doing mostly front end work and a few odd repairs along the way. i could usually beat the book by about 30 to 40 per cent.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

I dont like the idea of flat rate because from what ive heard it leads to sloppy work. A guy on flat rate will skip steps to get it out the door so they can make some time for the day.

 

Depends on the person/facility. If its a half@ss shop with crummy techs, then probably. If you go to a squared away shop, then probably not. Just remember, if it isn't right, they are obligated to MAKE it right. If you get an alignment done, and it still pulls, don't get pissed and go elswhere, thats what crummy techs pray on. take it back and let them know that you paid good money, and its not right.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Its just like anything else in this world. Im a graphic designer...When i do freelance work, we come to an agreement about how long it should take me to do. With a flat hourly rate. If i can get it done in less then the estimated time then i still get paid for what was estimated...flipside is that if it takes me longer, then i eat the money. It all works out. Just gotta find a shop that you trust and know that they wont screw you and although you me be paying for an hour that your car was sitting at least its done right. Your paying for their expertise. Sure you mightve had to pay for 3 hours instead of 2, but how long would it take you???

 

I dont mind paying the money for a job well done but I just think that a person on salary would care more about the work they are doing versus someone on flat rate who would feel like they are under pressure all day to make time especially someone who has alot of bills to pay and really needs the money.

 

There's also the fact that some techs know how and where to cut the corners and whatnot. There's a guy at work that does the majority of his work in half the time the labor rate calls for. I don't tend to see people complaining that their car is done twice as fast as promised. If it's done right and as quickly as possible, why cry about it ???

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if you can't fu@k it or race it, it ain't worth havin' !