Labor for Cam,Heads plus LTs $600 seem like a good idea?

Just thought I would toss this out there. There is a guy fairly local to me that specializes in LSx setups but works out of his garage. I have gone back and forth on doing some LTs and the same for a cam honestly. Thing is he only charges $200 for a LT+mid install and $600 for cam,heads and LT install. Seems like a super good deal to me. Especially with the headers which seem to be a real PITA.

Wondering what you guy think. Is this a smoking deal I should consider?

FYI I am never really torn into a motor before. I replaced head gaskets on my old 66 mustang many years ago and have done rockers/springs on my GP, installed a turbo kit and lots of small stuff but thats about it. Seems like a lot of little things could go wrong with that much work being done at once. Also considered just tossing soe L92 heads with LTs and run them with my rockers since I am an A4 I dont want to have to add stall and a serious tune. Thinking with just heads and headers I could fine tune it myself from there. Tune is really good right now. I know I could do all this work myself but should I? How hard are just swapping out the heads on these cars ?

Any input would be great , thanks .

thats a GREAT deal, especially on the headers!!!!!
for $200 i would let him install headers all day long for me....as long as he is competent and does a good job then you should be fine!!!!

If you were closer to me id do your install for half that. Its really not a tough job, even for a novist. Goodluck man!!

Quote: Originally Posted by DizzyLizard... thats a GREAT deal, especially on the headers!!!!! for $200 i would let him install headers all day long for me....as long as he is competent and does a good job then you should be fine!!!!

Thats kind of what I was thinking. I know I can do them but most on heere agree it is a real PITA and very time consuming. Here is a break down of his prices.


I offer installs of performance and aftermarket parts for LSx based vehicles. I specialize in Corvettes, Camaros, GTO's , ect....

I offer very reasonable prices and top notch work.

Examples of pricing


Cam, and valve springs - $500 (also includes installation of oil pump, timing chain, and under driver pulley if you want)
Heads, cam, intake - $600
Clutch on C5 or C6 vette - $500
Headers and mid pipe - $200 (free with heads cam intake install)

That’s not a deal but a steal. But... sounds too good to be true. Will he be there is something goes wrong? I did my exhaust; with LT's and cam install myself in two weekends. Saved a lot of money.

My thoughts were that I am very particular and if I don’t look good or there is a problem there is no one to blame but me.

I am a firm believer that going cheap can often cost more in the long run.

If the shop is competent, then that is a very good deal. Although with the state of the economy, and xmas a month away, I am sure that has a lot to do with the price.

Ask him about other work he has done locally and check out his other customer comments. Easy enough.

That pricing was actually from like 3 months ago. So sounds like it is a really good deal. I'll try and see what else he has done locally. Might be a laid off GM guy trying to make a living now. Without a real shop there is no overhead. So I guess to some one who knows their shit $600 for a days work is a good deal all around.

$1100 for me for cam, heads, intake, tb, vararam, skid plate, thermostat

All from an extremely reputable tuner/shop (Formato/Fasterproms). He would have to be EXCELLENT to trust that price.

Get some reference from him.

Quote: Originally Posted by wilhito... $1100 for me for cam, heads, intake, tb, vararam, skid plate, thermostat All from an extremely reputable tuner/shop (Formato/Fasterproms). He would have to be EXCELLENT to trust that price. Get some reference from him.

^^ That more in line with what I would expect. Plus he is tossing in the header install with midpipes.

Honestly I expected every one to some in here telling me to do it myself and not spend the $$. Must really be a killer deal. If this is a side job he could rake in another 4-5K a month tax free doing this. Thats a lot of $$.

Now I just wish I had the funds to buy the mods

Is he going to degree the cam ??...Or just put it straight up to the marks, a guy that really knows what he is doing will degree it...

$1100 seems about what my labor was for cam/headers/intake. The guy is very fair about labor, but +2 on get a few references.

where is this guy located? so you live in santa cruz, (insert state here)?

great deal

Quote: Originally Posted by Acrespo1986... Is he going to degree the cam ??...Or just put it straight up to the marks, a guy that really knows what he is doing will degree it...

It's always funny to see this. So lets say you degree the cam and it is off a little. The only way to fix it is moving the cam by one tooth, which is too much, or to buy an adjustable cam gear. How many people do you know that has gone through the trouble?

Quote: Originally Posted by GreekGTO89... where is this guy located? so you live in santa cruz, (insert state here)?

California. I was quoted like 700 just for doing the cam on my GP many years ago from all the local shops. When I came across this guys prices I suddenly felt like doing H/C LTs

I really wouldnt want to do that many major mods all at once and by myself. When I heard $600 for all that it seemed like a screaming deal and much more doable to just pay someone.

its an awesome deal man jump on it