Stainless works header installation dilemma - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Joe M 2012 2SS · 05-12-2016, 03:22 PM

I got my Stainless works headers a couple days ago. I would install myself, but due to the driveway in my apartment complex being un-level, I'm not putting in on jack stands on un-level ground.

The guy I got to put my axle-back on has moved from town, to where I don't know, he was very good.

I went to a few shops and they all said no, I even discovered that a guy where I work at does this, he said no way he would touch my car, scared of damaging my paint.

So I found a guy in town I actually knew way back when I was in high school. He has been a mechanic for the 30 plus yrs. since we graduated. I spoke with him at his shop yesterday, he said bring it back today, so he could put it on a lift and take a look at it.

When I arrived today, he had another person there that he sent out to my car, I opened the hood, and took the engine cover off, we discussed the process and he was right on with everything I've read in other threads.

Said it would be about a 2 hour job. $65/ hour, so around $130, seems fair.

After I was done speaking with him, I went back to the shop owner to set up a date. Next Tuesday.

My job is only 2 miles from the shop, so I asked the other guy if thought he would have it done by 11:00am.

He then tells me he won't be there to do it, that the shop owner and someone else will do it.

????? If the shop owner knew how to do it, why did he have this guy look at it?

I'm wondering if I should go through with it, or just find someone else.

What would you do?

JerTM · 05-12-2016, 03:38 PM

The shop owner may not have had time to look at it. It's up to you, it's a very very simple install. It's a lot easier on a lift, but can be done on the ground with jackstands.

SGRALLEY · 05-12-2016, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

I got my Stainless works headers a couple days ago. I would install myself, but due to the driveway in my apartment complex being un-level, I'm not putting in on jack stands on un-level ground.

The guy I got to put my axle-back on has moved from town, to where I don't know, he was very good.

I went to a few shops and they all said no, I even discovered that a guy where I work at does this, he said no way he would touch my car, scared of damaging my paint.

So I found a guy in town I actually knew way back when I was in high school. He has been a mechanic for the 30 plus yrs. since we graduated. I spoke with him at his shop yesterday, he said bring it back today, so he could put it on a lift and take a look at it.

When I arrived today, he had another person there that he sent out to my car, I opened the hood, and took the engine cover off, we discussed the process and he was right on with everything I've read in other threads.

Said it would be about a 2 hour job. $65/ hour, so around $130, seems fair.

After I was done speaking with him, I went back to the shop owner to set up a date. Next Tuesday.

My job is only 2 miles from the shop, so I asked the other guy if thought he would have it done by 11:00am.

He then tells me he won't be there to do it, that the shop owner and someone else will do it.

????? If the shop owner knew how to do it, why did he have this guy look at it?

I'm wondering if I should go through with it, or just find someone else.

What would you do?

Very reasonable price,but it's one of the easiest cars to put headers on.
I did mine in my carport in two hours on jackstands.

ZYBORG · 05-12-2016, 04:36 PM

thats really really cheap....

Homeless Man · 05-12-2016, 06:36 PM

Take that offer. These shops usually charge like $500 for header install it's crazy

PalmerGA · 05-12-2016, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZYBORG

thats really really cheap....

I looked into having a trusted muffler shop install mine... $300. My time is valuable, but not THAT valuable.

Soybeanrice · 05-12-2016, 07:03 PM

65 an hour for labor is alright. I would take it. You could also just do it in a parking lot if you really wanted to diy it

Soybeanrice · 05-12-2016, 07:04 PM

I think if you just put up the parking brake and Jack the front really high you would be able to do the headers too.

Joe M 2012 2SS · 05-12-2016, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soybeanrice

I think if you just put up the parking brake and Jack the front really high you would be able to do the headers too.

No way I'm getting under a car that's not on a level surface.

Joe M 2012 2SS · 05-12-2016, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeless Man

Take that offer. These shops usually charge like $500 for header install it's crazy

That is crazy for 2 hours of work.

Joe M 2012 2SS · 05-12-2016, 07:25 PM

Oh one other thing, the SW didn't come with new gaskets. I've read several threads where people just used the factory one's. Is it necessary to get new AC Delco gaskets?
I already put the silicone in my junk drawer!

angryv6 · 05-12-2016, 07:31 PM

It's up to you, if you want to reuse the factory gaskets, I did. I even bought new ones just in case but the factory had no wear so back they went on. Also, no on the silicone.

bionick · 05-12-2016, 07:40 PM

You definitely want to Use new gaskets. Your car is a 2012 so those gaskets are like 4 years old. It's well worth it. If you reuse them and there is leaking or anything you're gonna have to pay again to get them replaced. Use factory GM gaskets. Also $130 is a great deal. Did mine myself but a local performance shop wanted $300 or so

G701LE · 05-12-2016, 08:49 PM

I would jump on it for $130.

05-12-2016, 03:22 PM	#1
Joe M 2012 2SS Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 2,549 View My Garage	Stainless works header installation dilemma I got my Stainless works headers a couple days ago. I would install myself, but due to the driveway in my apartment complex being un-level, I'm not putting in on jack stands on un-level ground. The guy I got to put my axle-back on has moved from town, to where I don't know, he was very good. I went to a few shops and they all said no, I even discovered that a guy where I work at does this, he said no way he would touch my car, scared of damaging my paint. So I found a guy in town I actually knew way back when I was in high school. He has been a mechanic for the 30 plus yrs. since we graduated. I spoke with him at his shop yesterday, he said bring it back today, so he could put it on a lift and take a look at it. When I arrived today, he had another person there that he sent out to my car, I opened the hood, and took the engine cover off, we discussed the process and he was right on with everything I've read in other threads. Said it would be about a 2 hour job. $65/ hour, so around $130, seems fair. After I was done speaking with him, I went back to the shop owner to set up a date. Next Tuesday. My job is only 2 miles from the shop, so I asked the other guy if thought he would have it done by 11:00am. He then tells me he won't be there to do it, that the shop owner and someone else will do it. ????? If the shop owner knew how to do it, why did he have this guy look at it? I'm wondering if I should go through with it, or just find someone else. What would you do? __________________ Roto-Fab intake, SW 1 7/8" LT w/hi flow cats, Flowmaster outlaw exhaust, UDP, 160* stat, Circle D 3200, Moroso catch can, TCI line lock, Zex Nitrous 125 shot, 3.91 gear, Eaton True-trac, DSS 1000hp axles.

05-12-2016, 04:36 PM	#4
ZYBORG Lets roll... Drives: 14' Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: TX/S.FL Posts: 1,496	thats really really cheap.... __________________

05-12-2016, 06:36 PM	#5
Homeless Man Homeless Life Chose Me Drives: LS3 (sold 4/21) Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Streets of Philly Posts: 3,650	Take that offer. These shops usually charge like $500 for header install it's crazy __________________ Pity a man in familiar places, who yet feels like a stranger.

05-12-2016, 07:25 PM	#11
Joe M 2012 2SS Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 2,549 View My Garage	Oh one other thing, the SW didn't come with new gaskets. I've read several threads where people just used the factory one's. Is it necessary to get new AC Delco gaskets? I already put the silicone in my junk drawer! __________________ Roto-Fab intake, SW 1 7/8" LT w/hi flow cats, Flowmaster outlaw exhaust, UDP, 160* stat, Circle D 3200, Moroso catch can, TCI line lock, Zex Nitrous 125 shot, 3.91 gear, Eaton True-trac, DSS 1000hp axles.

05-12-2016, 07:31 PM	#12
angryv6 Lake Erie Monster Drives: 02 Hyundai Santa Fe and 13 300 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 917	It's up to you, if you want to reuse the factory gaskets, I did. I even bought new ones just in case but the factory had no wear so back they went on. Also, no on the silicone. __________________ Everything I say is to be taken as an opinion and not fact so don't get upset over words that spill out of my head. GO CAVS!

05-12-2016, 03:38 PM	#2
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	The shop owner may not have had time to look at it. It's up to you, it's a very very simple install. It's a lot easier on a lift, but can be done on the ground with jackstands.

05-12-2016, 07:03 PM	#7
Soybeanrice Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 793	65 an hour for labor is alright. I would take it. You could also just do it in a parking lot if you really wanted to diy it

05-12-2016, 07:04 PM	#8
Soybeanrice Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 793	I think if you just put up the parking brake and Jack the front really high you would be able to do the headers too.

05-12-2016, 07:40 PM	#13
bionick Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 931 View My Garage	You definitely want to Use new gaskets. Your car is a 2012 so those gaskets are like 4 years old. It's well worth it. If you reuse them and there is leaking or anything you're gonna have to pay again to get them replaced. Use factory GM gaskets. Also $130 is a great deal. Did mine myself but a local performance shop wanted $300 or so __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 416 LS3 \| FED stage 2 heads

05-12-2016, 08:49 PM	#14
G701LE Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 IBM silver stipes Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: K.C. Kansas Posts: 1,329 View My Garage	I would jump on it for $130. __________________ 2010 Imperial Blue w/ Silver stripes 2SS/RS L99 Mods = Not enough....