Exhaust Installation - Fair Pricing ?

[PHOENIX]

Quick break down.
I purchased Edelbrock TES headers 6827 - driver side header wouldnt clear clutch linkage.
BTW I am selling these Edelbrock headers on the parts board: Click Here
I purchased Hedman Headers 69481 - driver side header wouldnt clear clutch linkage.
So I purchase Edelbrock headers 6527 - direct manifold replacement, use stock y-pipe.

My y-pipe is in good shape so I planned to use it, untill I get the headers and read the instructions. These are a direct replacement for the manifolds that sweep under the spark plugs (as used on 1980 and earlier). So this makes me unhappy. I go to a junk yard and pull a y-pipe off a 1980 Big10 that had these under sweep manifolds. On my way home I stopped a few places to find something to convert the stock y-pipe to 3" because thats what I am going to run. A local Meineke tells me they can custom build me a y-pipe for $60.00. Sounds like a fair price to me, so I decide to see how much they will install everything from the headers back.

I will supply the pipe, cat, flanges, muffler and gaskets for the flanges. They will need to bend pipes, weld were required and supply/install hangers. At max they may need to supply an additional few feet of 3" pipe to go over the rear axle.

They said they can build me the y-pipe and install everything for $100.00.
Price seems pretty fair to me. What do you guys think?

[ElGracho]

That's the lowest quote I've heard from a muffler shop...

[76sierraclassic]

Sounds like a very good price to me.

Mike

[hotrodhomi]

alot cheaper than I've been quoted.

[bigblock73]

Sounds tooo cheap to me. Most shops are $200 or above...at least around here.

Remember, you get what you pay for. I would ask a few more questions, especially concerning warranty, how they will be installing it, etc...

[mhicks]

Better jump on that!

[PHOENIX]

A lady runs the shop. When I first came in to talk to her about the y-pipe we talked for awhile and she was well informed of my goals. She understood and was easy to talk with. After awhile I got her to estimate me $60 for the y-pipe. Then I came back a couple days later and told here, I can bring the truck in so you can fit the y-pipe perfectly. If you can cut me a good deal on installing the rest Ill have you do it. I explained exactly what I wanted and she understood and agreed with everything. I told here the y-pipe would be a welded construction that bolts to the headers. The cat and y-pipe would have a flange that bolts together there so I can take the rest of the exhasut off. Everything from the cat back would be bolted on in case I am not happy with this muffler. I explained that when I decide if this is the muffler I want then I will weld it all from there. i also explained there will be no tip and the exhaust will terminate behind the rear tire just out of view, but in reach for sniffer test. She then came with the price of $100. My only concern at this point is the type of bends they are capable of. I didnt get into that, but thought about it later. It only seems to be her and some guy in the shop. She knows her stuff and he was welding. They seemed professional.

We didnt speak of warranty, but I am sure she will be fair. I told her I would call later to confirm a day to bring in the truck. I can ask her about warranty and pipe bending then. What else do you think I should ask her?

She knows that she is dealing with someone who can do it themselves and has all the parts. I believe thats why she only added $40 for the rest. Also the first time I came in I think she knew my friend from a long time ago. They didnt say anything, but when we left he said I think I remember her from so and so. So maybe she gave me a good deal on the y-pipe because of that. Also there are a lot of places close to here tht can do this work, so its competitive. Also this shop is not very old and may need the work.

[rockman20]

The price sounds good, just be careful.

Just because she knows what she is talking about, doesn't mean the monkey that just got out of jail, working in the shop, knows a dang thing about what he should do.

The price is cheap. Exhaust on my Cutlass cost me around 300 bucks with mufflers. Full 3 inch with some very LOUD glasspacks.

When I first had the exhaust done (2.25 pipe and turbo mufflers) a shop charged me 120 bucks. Seemed too good to be true. It was. The system leaked. Took it in. Still leaked so I take it in again. This time I hit a bump and thought I tore the entire thing off. They had one hanger on the tailpipes and this is it. So they fixed that and supposedly the leaks. The welds looked like crap and it still leaked but if I would of taken my car there one more time, I would of shoved the entire assembly up their arse. They seemed intelligent, but I don't think the people I talked to were the ones who worked on it.

I paid more at the other shop, but I like them. They will let me sit back there with them and watch them work. (Just don't let OSHA know!) I get to inspect all welds and everything while it is on the hoist and before it even leaves the shop. I get to tell them before any money is handed out what I think of the system.

Just be careful.