Quoted $3500 for installation???!!!
 

So I emailed my local tuning shop and they told me it will cost $3500 for installing the following items.

1)Airlift suspension system
2) Revworks UEL headers
3) HID package
4) JDM Password splitter
5) Megan Racing toe arms
6) Stance LCA\'s
7) probably need to roll fenders for wheel fitment
8) wheel installation
9) Tire mounting
10) fixing my front pipe rattle on my transmission box (AT)

I was shocked when I saw this quote. Does this seem right or am I being ripped off?

I would ask them what their hourly charge for labour is and then divide your quote by the number they give you to see how many hours they're quoting you for.
If the number of hours is too high by your calculation (for example, it should take 5 hours, but they're charging you for 10 hours) then yes, you are being ripped off.

Its probably a bit high but 30 hours of labor isn't really out to lunch. The air suspension alone could eat half that depending on how it goes. Gotta remember that involves routing power and air lines throughout the car, mounting the compressor/box, and then finally the suspension itself.

As well as rolling fenders can take a fair bit of time to do properly.

3500$ is including parts? if so doesn't seem horrible depending on cost of that airlift suspension... if its just labor... they misquoted you, no way in hell it takes 35 hours to install all that stuff...

I would say 5-8 hours max... 500-800$ is what I would charge you @ my shop here in phoenix...

That's what I was thinking. I just need labor for installations I have all the parts.

I know the airsuspension can be a bear to install. We took 8-10 hours to do the kit we put on my old Y34.

Headers - 2 hours or so...
HID - 20 minutes...
Splitters - 30 minutes or so...
Arms - 1 hour...
Wheels and tires is usually like $100 to $125 if they do the TPMS swap...
No clue on the front pipe rattle....

You would be at like 16 hours before the rattle. I think the shops here charge like $85 per hour so you are looking at like $1,500 before the rattle.

Why let dealer install anything? With that money, buy some tools and tackle it yourself for a fraction of the cost. It's always fun shopping for new tools anyway... lol

Go to a different shop and compare prices. Sure its a lot but its a lot of work and youre going to get good quality (hopefully)

thats a lot of work man... u have a laundry list of things to do

Sounds about right to me.

If you want to "stance" brah, you gotta pay to play. :)

My cousin got air ride installed on his car and it took the shop like 6-9 months, idk why. From that experience im assuming its a lot of work and the shop just sucks as well lol. He has money so he is driving in his truck around while he waits, but no way in hell i'm having my car in the shop for that long.

6-9 months haha impossible

Did the CNC all the parts on site? No way even taking a universal kit and making it fit takes that much time.

6-9 months? Are they melting down metals and hand making the kit? Lol

It took me about 18-20 hours to install Air on my FR-S. I've done my fair share of lowering cars (about 10 on springs). I had the actual airstruts on 1.5 hrs. It's running the wiring (removed passenger seat, backseat, trim on bottom of door, trunk floor), mounting the compressors, making something for the relay's and tank to sit on, making a false floor (1/8" plywood wrapped in black duck cloth). Then getting everything set up and installed, running lines checking for leaks (fixing leaks). Adjusting the struts for ride/stance preference. I'm sure the shop is giving you a little high of a qoute but installing air isn't the same as putting on coil overs or lowering springs.


I could have gotten it installed in prolly half that time if I just threw everything (managment system) in the trunk, but I prefer to have it look well done and be able to return the car to stock (if needed).

Pic: Before the fabric was put on.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6b5132f6.jpg

Pertaining everything, but the Airlifts, do it yourself.
Why do you need a shop to install HIDs???
It took 30 minutes to install arms.
Go to a DiscountTire, Firestone, etc for the wheel related stuff.

Ill charge you 1000 to make it look like you drifted into a curb

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz-9WeHDPV4"]Billy Madison - 69 - YouTube[/ame]

haha i forgot he's always having the guy change something in the interior as well, and i cant remember but i think he also told me some of the parts were hard to get or needed to be shipped from japan because his car doesn't have much of an aftermarket market... either way it shouldn't take that long. Here is a pic he sent me not too long ago https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/...b4&oe=524E6B14

I'm bagged and it took the shop less than 8 hours to install kit. The install cost about 700 dollars. I would strongly encourage you to install most of that stuff yourself. Also, I would go ahead and order some camber bolts for the front of your car. When you spin the bag down you can tuck rim easily in the back. However up front, without the camber, (depending on wheels) you will hit the fender.

My take:
1.) Air lift system - never done one, my guess would be 10 hours by professional shop, think: replacing suspension, running all necessary B+ and ground neat, clean and properly. Running air lines and check for leaks in system, proper road test and post install inspections.
2.) Headers - 1 hour includes time to torque all bolts and re-check all gasket seals after installation.
3.) HID - 1 hour to hook up properly, run wires and install ballast boxes cleanly. Re-check all work.
4.) JDM Splitter - 2 hour to install all 3 pieces and any adjustment needed to ensure structural stability and flushness. Re-check for rattles and fitment gaps after road test.
5.) Megan toe arms - 1 hour for both together. Road test and re-check
6.) Stance LCA's - 1 hour for both together. Road test and re-check
7.) Fender Rolling - 1 hour PER corner to be done properly and protect paint. remember this has a high potential to be messed up with one slip. So any shop is really gonna take their time on this one......
8.) 9.) 9.a) Wheel and tire mount, balance and install. 1-2 hours. If properly done: Mount, measure road force and balance, swap and match mount tires as needed to achieve best initial balance/road force combo. then finishing balance. Install and torque wheels to prevent damage. Road test for final vibration testing.
10.) Rattle, 1 hour. Will need to remove front pipe, and heat up (torch work)/clearance slightly to prevent rattle once rattle location is determined.
11.) Proper Alignment on Modded Car - 2 Hours


By looking at this logically I can see 25 hrs. ± 5 hrs. Most likely not less than 25 hrs. = 25-30 hours. Now given a reputable shop has a supply/demand labor rate of around 100-140 per hour.
25@100 = $2500
25@140 = $3500
30@100 = $3000
30@140 = $4200
most likely:
25@120 = $3000
30@120 = $3600

My quick figuring comes up with a high/low of $2500-$4200 estimates based on not knowing your local shops labor rate, work quality, customer satisfaction. I would say the shop is spot on in their estimate if they are reputable and produce quality work.

Now for the people that will flame this: I understand that some of these items can be installed faster than the times I estimated above. Now ask yourself this, Would you want someone that you are paying to install a bunch of quality and $$ parts to just throw them on as quick as possible with no care to quality, longevity, and just give you your car back? if so YOU are crazy. These shops have a reputation they want to build and protect.

Install it all your self and use the $3500 to buy a turbo system or supercharger. Problem solved.

I'm a little confused about the fender rolling. Aren't our fenders rolled from the factory?

prices like these are common in small towns/cities where they rarely touch anything but Mustangs.

If you live far from a good shop like yours best bet is DIY.

Your estimates are a little higher than mine but not far off. Shops must be pretty expensive in your area. In Central Florida those are dealer prices.

Im in N.Y. EVERYTHING is higher here..... Avg mechanical labor rate $70-90 in the area. Performance shops which are few and good ones are even fewer $100-125

Edit: I would also install everything myself anyways, but I have the time, tools, equipment and ability to do so as well, so that is just my estimates based one what I feel a proper job would take.