I called a reputable shop in my area to get a quote on a cam install. I know that overhead cam installs should not be very complicated , but was suprised by how expensive it was. After watching this video, how can a shop justify anything over 2 hours of labor:

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/H...-on_138721.htm

I am not mechanically inclined, but I have friends who are and they agreed that they could do this job in two hours, taking their time (retaining the stock cam gears). Is it really this easy, or is the guy in this video skipping over some steps (doesn't look like it to me). If so, reputable shop could probably do the job in one hour, maximum. Your thoughts please.

 

So, how much they say it cost???

 

I don't see why you would pay anyone else to do it after watching that vid.

 

i used this video as a reference its great the only step i could think of off the top of my head that wasnt mentioned was the lifter bleeding its really not hard at all

 

I paid my mechanic $150 to do it. I wont pay $89 an hour for that no way.

 

Do you have to bleed the lifters if you ONLY swap out the cam & not the springs/retainers?

 

^^yeah you should bleed them unless u want the ticking noise

 

i got a quote from 2 reputable shops here in the northeast and they were 275 and 385 for an install of cams.

 

i know where you got that 275 quote from lol. but yeah seriously you could just do it yourself but you would need to get a retune immediately

 

Yea, i was quoted 275 as well(aint really that bad given a reputable shop is doing the work).... Where are people gettin these quotes for TWO hours of labor for $90 and hour... Hell for $180 thats cheap(given you dont want to do the work yourself..)

 

I don't now why they charge so much. Maybe its so that they can say its a difficult job, thats why its expensive. Or maybe they just see it as easy money.

 

there is usually a book that has price quotes of how long it should take and most shops will just charge by the book. not always but its basically like why should a better mechanic get paid less for doing the work quicker. i think its quoted as four hours.

 

i did it myself just bought the tool for like 40 bux not difficult i took my time tho wasnt in a hurry if u have a flash already youll be alright driving it just no wot till u get it tuned again

 

I dont think you want anyone to beat the clock or rush anything on a cam install unless you'd like a broken car.

 

I won't mention the shop or the price, but it doesn't seem like it should take more than two hours, even if you take your sweet @ss time. I would happily pay a reputable shop for two hours of labor (longer than it takes, but everyone needs to make money). Are there any other good writeups, other than the one on evomoto?