Does this Hot Rod cam quote seem high?
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,925
From: Deep in the <3 of Tx
yeah thats pretty high..http://www.cjponyparts.com/ will install them for $1149
There's no way that's parts + labor + tune. If so, I'd be leery as hell.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,925
From: Deep in the <3 of Tx
SirKnightTG: You're making me nervous with the Doug tune talk 
This car is my DD, so it's kind of got to be running. Currently I could use another vehicle for the very short term, but it's not a guaranteed thing. I actually through the dyno tune into the quote request just for kicks; I guess I didn't expect that there would be any issues with the Bamachips tune. I thought I'd heard of plenty of people using his tune without issue. I know you and others had issues with your autos, but I have a manual so I wasn't too worried...until now! The only other potential issue with the Doug tune would be emissions; I'm not due for testing for over a year, but eventually it will need to pass, and although Doug can write emissions tunes, I know every state is different and some people have issues even with emissions tunes. The shop I talked to, by the way, said emissions would not be a problem after the dyno tune, specifically for NJ.
This car is my DD, so it's kind of got to be running. Currently I could use another vehicle for the very short term, but it's not a guaranteed thing. I actually through the dyno tune into the quote request just for kicks; I guess I didn't expect that there would be any issues with the Bamachips tune. I thought I'd heard of plenty of people using his tune without issue. I know you and others had issues with your autos, but I have a manual so I wasn't too worried...until now! The only other potential issue with the Doug tune would be emissions; I'm not due for testing for over a year, but eventually it will need to pass, and although Doug can write emissions tunes, I know every state is different and some people have issues even with emissions tunes. The shop I talked to, by the way, said emissions would not be a problem after the dyno tune, specifically for NJ.The thing is that email tunes for more serious things (cams, FI, etc) are hit and miss like a ****. Especially with rough cams. Those can be a beeotch to get just right.
My Bama tune could not hold idle for crap and it took Doug about 4 or 5 revisions to finally get it right. My BBR tune is the same way. But, my Brenspeed tune never had idle issues and was always the most drive-able tune, other than the flashing O/D light which thankfully now is fixed.
If you go the email tune route, get more than one tune. That way if one is messed up, you have another one or two to fall back on. I do highly recommend a Brenspeed tune.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,347
From: Germantown, TN
I had a local (very reputable) shop qoute me $800 for install & $250 for the tune (because I've done work with them before). So if you ad the cost of the cams, the price they gave you is spot on. Just my .02
Mike
Mike
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,176
From: Decatur AL USA
I suspect your quote actually would be something like:
Cams $900
Install $600
Dynotune $300
Its a local shop at retail not a discount online dealer. Thats pretty much ballpark for a good local shop where I live. They give you a bit of a break on the tune because they did the work. I would likely pay the extra because if their any issues its their problem. They cant blame it on the cams or tune you supplied.
If on the other hand I needed to go cheap and was willing to put up with potential headaches. Local Ford Tech (Moonlighting) for $200. $800 for cams. Free update on tunes. For the $800 savings you spend 6 weeks chasing the tune and have to deal with it if their are any issues.
Cams $900
Install $600
Dynotune $300
Its a local shop at retail not a discount online dealer. Thats pretty much ballpark for a good local shop where I live. They give you a bit of a break on the tune because they did the work. I would likely pay the extra because if their any issues its their problem. They cant blame it on the cams or tune you supplied.
If on the other hand I needed to go cheap and was willing to put up with potential headaches. Local Ford Tech (Moonlighting) for $200. $800 for cams. Free update on tunes. For the $800 savings you spend 6 weeks chasing the tune and have to deal with it if their are any issues.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 159
From: IL
I'll be doing this in a few weeks and I'm going through Brenspeed. You can purchase the cams through them for $800, which includes an updated tune since I already have one on file with them. They are also charging $395 for install.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 295