H/C and drop-in pistons/rods

EddieM92 · 07-14-2018, 03:54 AM

I am wondering what should I be expecting to pay for labor in NY or the tristate area for h/c and also drop-in pistons and rods. Thanks in advance

EddieM92 · 07-15-2018, 10:09 AM

Bump

hitmix300 · 07-15-2018, 10:27 AM

at any reputable shop i'd imagine 1500-2500 bucks depending on a few variables.

At my small shop in Michigan, I normally charge 600 to R & R a motor. Then about 500 plus machine shop costs for the engine build.

Obviously the shops have lot's of fee's that they need you to help pay. At smaller shops; there's a little more passion and less junk taxed.

Why don't you call a couple shops and get a quote? I would look up the dealership shop hours and do the match assuming their rate is 110 per hr.

bpang1234 · 07-15-2018, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitmix300

at any reputable shop i'd imagine 1500-2500 bucks depending on a few variables.

At my small shop in Michigan, I normally charge 600 to R & R a motor. Then about 500 plus machine shop costs for the engine build.

Obviously the shops have lot's of fee's that they need you to help pay. At smaller shops; there's a little more passion and less junk taxed.

Why don't you call a couple shops and get a quote? I would look up the dealership shop hours and do the match assuming their rate is 110 per hr.

What would you normally charge just to do the drop-in pistons and rods? I had the question in my head as I am looking to get that done soon too. Is there a difference in cost to install JUST drop in pistons since that is the thing I know I need and the rods not so sure?

USAFS197 · 07-16-2018, 07:02 AM

That's nuts. I couldn't imagine heads, cam and drop-in pistons costing only $2k to install. The lowest quote I have come across, even from large, reputable shops, was north of $4k for just the cam+parts+labor.

GuywithL86 · 07-16-2018, 07:08 AM

That stuff is all pretty easy once the motor is out, and thats pretty easy if you’re a mechanic with a lift and do that sort of thing every day.

At $100/hour flat rate, there is no way that’s taking an experienced mechanic 20 hours. They’ll have the motor out before lunch.

20 real hours of labor they could probably take the motor out, unbolt every single physical piece of the long block, reassemble it correctly, and reinstall it in the car

It doesn’t take that long when you know what you’re doing and have the tools ready.

EddieM92 · 07-16-2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuywithL86

That stuff is all pretty easy once the motor is out, and thats pretty easy if you’re a mechanic with a lift and do that sort of thing every day.

At $100/hour flat rate, there is no way that’s taking an experienced mechanic 20 hours. They’ll have the motor out before lunch.

20 real hours of labor they could probably take the motor out, unbolt every single physical piece of the long block, reassemble it correctly, and reinstall it in the car

It doesn’t take that long when you know what you’re doing and have the tools ready.

I agree with you 1000% but goodluck coming by a shop that isn’t going to charge you $6500+ for h/c and also drop in of pistons and rods. I understand these shops gotta eat also but it’s not like back in the day where shops watch out for their customers.

62nalide · 07-18-2018, 09:44 AM

Don't let the "drop in pistons" fool you. It is nice to just replace pistons but keep in mind you'll need new bolts might go ARP on taking stuff apart. A lot of stuff can not be reused and new to guy again. At that point you might as well do a rod and piston replacement.

bpang1234 · 07-18-2018, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62nalide

Don't let the "drop in pistons" fool you. It is nice to just replace pistons but keep in mind you'll need new bolts might go ARP on taking stuff apart. A lot of stuff can not be reused and new to guy again. At that point you might as well do a rod and piston replacement.

https://gwatneyperformance.com/produ...#configuration

Like this? I will definitely buy the new ARP bolts, worth the extra expense! What about the bearings? Should those be changed if you are doing drop-in piston and rods?

I am still searching for a "ballpark" number for installation.

DatBrotato · 07-18-2018, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpang1234

https://gwatneyperformance.com/produ...#configuration

Like this? I will definitely buy the new ARP bolts, worth the extra expense! What about the bearings? Should those be changed if you are doing drop-in piston and rods?

I am still searching for a "ballpark" number for installation.

I was in your boat a little bit ago.
For H/C install + hand ported heads + FlexFuel tune came out to ~5k.

I tried to get a quote for drop-in pistons, shop said that'd it'd be about the same price as a full rebuild...so like 7k+ and that's without parts

cam swap on these cars is much more labor intensive/technical than on the LS motors. Most shops don't want to touch 'em.

If you're going to touch the bottom-end you're almost better off just getting a LT4 long block that comes with a warranty.

DFW1LE · 07-18-2018, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpang1234

https://gwatneyperformance.com/produ...#configuration

Like this? I will definitely buy the new ARP bolts, worth the extra expense! What about the bearings? Should those be changed if you are doing drop-in piston and rods?

I am still searching for a "ballpark" number for installation.

Whether to replace the bearings might be a function of how many miles you have on the motor.

EddieM92 · 07-18-2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62nalide

Don't let the "drop in pistons" fool you. It is nice to just replace pistons but keep in mind you'll need new bolts might go ARP on taking stuff apart. A lot of stuff can not be reused and new to guy again. At that point you might as well do a rod and piston replacement.

Yah I was looking at the GPI dropin pistons/rods/bearings kit to go along with the pray h/c kit and eventually go for FI. But for now with the h/c and pistons/rods/bearings what would your shop charge? Just to compare to what it’s like in NY

MP3BOOSTED · 07-18-2018, 06:17 PM

SO a few shops were charging me $2500+ for cam install, i ended up doing it myself, that is no where near the amount of work for drop in pistons and what not. I plan on doing that and a forged crank so yeah not looking forward to a price on that, looks like i might need to bring out the wrench and start taking the car apart again, just make sure you do it all at once, don't be like me, not smart to pay for gaskets over and over again, cometic head gaskets AREN'T CHEAP!

aai · 07-18-2018, 07:17 PM

OP, drop a dime on this guy. Maybe get some work done and buy parts from him. GL
https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521521

07-14-2018, 03:54 AM	#1
EddieM92 Instagram- _2sslow_ Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 198	H/C and drop-in pistons/rods I am wondering what should I be expecting to pay for labor in NY or the tristate area for h/c and also drop-in pistons and rods. Thanks in advance

07-15-2018, 10:09 AM	#2
EddieM92 Instagram- _2sslow_ Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 198	Bump __________________ Instagram- _2sslow_ 2011 Camaro LT RS (Sold) 2011 Range Rover Sport HSE (Sold) 2016 Camaro 2SS NPP, TSP headers & Xpipe, Skid e85, CAI Intake, MSD IM, 95m TB, BigPowerRacing Tune, H&R Lowering springs, BMR sway bars

07-15-2018, 10:27 AM	#3
hitmix300 2016 loaded 2SS Drives: Maverick X3 Turbo R Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: United States Posts: 242	at any reputable shop i'd imagine 1500-2500 bucks depending on a few variables. At my small shop in Michigan, I normally charge 600 to R & R a motor. Then about 500 plus machine shop costs for the engine build. Obviously the shops have lot's of fee's that they need you to help pay. At smaller shops; there's a little more passion and less junk taxed. Why don't you call a couple shops and get a quote? I would look up the dealership shop hours and do the match assuming their rate is 110 per hr. __________________ salvage to savage build thread with hellion twins

07-16-2018, 07:02 AM	#5
USAFS197 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,915	That's nuts. I couldn't imagine heads, cam and drop-in pistons costing only $2k to install. The lowest quote I have come across, even from large, reputable shops, was north of $4k for just the cam+parts+labor. __________________ 2018 Audi TT ▊RS 2.4X 0-60, 1.6X 60', 120+mph 1/8th, 4.XX 60-130, 150+mph traps on 255/35/18 R888R tires on the street (unprepped). 2019 Audi RS3 About as fast as the TT RS 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sold 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Sold 2019 Corvette Z06 Sold 2021 Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody Sold

07-18-2018, 09:44 AM	#8
62nalide Drives: 2013 SS Join Date: May 2013 Location: DFW Posts: 4,102	Don't let the "drop in pistons" fool you. It is nice to just replace pistons but keep in mind you'll need new bolts might go ARP on taking stuff apart. A lot of stuff can not be reused and new to guy again. At that point you might as well do a rod and piston replacement. __________________ https://frankensteined.net/ Martin@Frankensteined.net

07-16-2018, 07:08 AM	#6
GuywithL86 Drives: Black Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Nj Posts: 440	That stuff is all pretty easy once the motor is out, and thats pretty easy if you’re a mechanic with a lift and do that sort of thing every day. At $100/hour flat rate, there is no way that’s taking an experienced mechanic 20 hours. They’ll have the motor out before lunch. 20 real hours of labor they could probably take the motor out, unbolt every single physical piece of the long block, reassemble it correctly, and reinstall it in the car It doesn’t take that long when you know what you’re doing and have the tools ready.

07-18-2018, 06:17 PM	#13
MP3BOOSTED Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 1LE (F1A-94 FBO H/C) Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 843	SO a few shops were charging me $2500+ for cam install, i ended up doing it myself, that is no where near the amount of work for drop in pistons and what not. I plan on doing that and a forged crank so yeah not looking forward to a price on that, looks like i might need to bring out the wrench and start taking the car apart again, just make sure you do it all at once, don't be like me, not smart to pay for gaskets over and over again, cometic head gaskets AREN'T CHEAP! __________________ Performance Mods: F1A-94, DSX Flex Fuel Kit, MSD Spark Plug Wires, KOOK 2" off road headers, MBRP Race catback exhaust, Pray Performance Custom Boost Cam, Rocker Arm Trunion Upgrade Kit, 7.850" Hardened Chromemoly Length Pushrods and Johnson Racing 2110R Lifters, TSP CNC'd Heads, Ported MSD intake manifold, 103mm Katech Throttle body, Forged Pistons/Rods, RPM Meth kit, DSX Aux Fuel system, AEM Failsafe and banks gauge, LT4 HPFP, LT4 injectors, BMR motor mounts, Hurst Short Throw, Manley SS exhaust valves Videos of my car? Check here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNi...Qy1OL4NVGlPogw

07-18-2018, 07:17 PM	#14
aai Drives: '17 SS/1LE/PDR Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: SOMD Posts: 222	OP, drop a dime on this guy. Maybe get some work done and buy parts from him. GL https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521521 __________________ PRAY ported MSD/TB : ROTOFAB/dry : DSX flex fuel : HPA Stage 3 : ARH catted long system/oem NPP : RSR harness bar : RSD : FSO1 : MPS4S 305F/325R

User Name		Remember Me?
Password