I've only called 1 place so far and the estimate I got almost knocked me out on the spot. 3k for parts (cams, springs, retainers) and labor. I figured if they parts are close to 1100, then labor comes up to 1900??? I think I heard somebody mention on this forum they had it done for close to 500. How much does the labor really cost for this type of job? Any good places in So. Cal.? I know blower would be a better bang for the buck, but it's more than I can afford as of right now and I've had this intake/tune/catback combo for almost a year and a half and I'm looking for ways to gain hp, but at the same time trying not to go over 2500.

 

save a bit more and get a blower imo. i realize how much ive spent on my mods, and i wish i hadn't, and just gotten blown :P

 

I have no idea what it cost in Cal. I paid $560 to have mine installed and another $100 to have it retuned.

 

they might have priced pulling the heads to install the springs. I know I talked to several shops before i done my cams who wont touch the springs without pulling the heads.
I swapped mine out with the heads still on the block. although it is a bitch, and gets very time consuming. Swapping the cams should be around 8-12 hours labor & to pull the heads and install springs & lockouts you are looking anywhere from 19-25 hours depending on the shop and the installer. Then of course you have to have the car tuned as well---price depending on the tuner. ($100+)

If you are looking at $60/hr labor rate, you are looking between $480-$1500 for install plus getting it tuned, so I can see the $3k price quote. Alot of custom shops also charge closer to $100hr too depending on location.

Based on the amount of money it takes for installation and the truly minimal gains you will see on a N/A car, I say----save the money and buy a nice nitrous setup for $1500 or save another $2g and buy a super/turbo charger

 

You were pretty close. The guy was talking about pulling the whole engine out which would be 20 hours of labor because "there's just too little room to play with in there" lol

 

there you go. Whatever you decide to do, the biggest thing is to find a reputable shop with a good word of mouth from actual customers. You are looking at spending a good chunk of change on the project. You could always look into nsr cams for a cheaper route.

 

Wow I didn't think it cost that much to do a cam set up either. Sounds like blower is really the way to go.

 

Cost $700 for install.

 

Just save for a blower. Doing little small bolt on mods just add up. You will be better off saving for a blower. JMO

 

I second the motion for you to get a blower. Getting blown feels awesome (pun intended).