im going to a local shop today to get a boost controller installed, an autometer boost gauge (mechanical), autometer a/f gauge, and mounting of the a-pillar. they said it could take 5 hours! and it would probably cost around 225-250 to install all of this, thats f***ing crazy. how long should it actually take to install all of these items?

 

5 hours doesnt seem to be out of the realm of possibility. Boost gauge takes about an hour (for me at least). Boost controller about the same and the a/f gauge can be a pain to drill and put a bung into the exhaust. Id say that sounds expensive, but not impossibly expensive.

 

the boost gauge might have taken you an hour, but i'm i'm talking about a shop. and after i get my boost controller in, what it the highest psi i can go, 20?

 

I agree that it should take an experienced shop a shorter amount of time which is why I said charging for 5 hours seems a little high. Shop around. I cant honestly tell you what it costed me because when I've made those mods before on my cars, ive done the handiwork myself. As far as max boost, 20psi is likely the highest you want to go stock, but i'll let people more experienced with upping the boost in the evo chime in. I've only used boost controllers on my DSM's.

 

thanks

 

i dont know autometer nor do i care to research but is the autometer a/f gauge a wideband or no? if not you just simply tap into the ecu....instead of drilling a bung. i would say 5 hours is alittle high but i cant say its insane.... unless the shop is familiar with the evo, they will loose some time "fumbling" around.. i would recommend you go to a performance shop that has worked on evos.. for example nonexperienced techs will drill a hole in the firewall but in the other hand, an experienced tech will know the evo already has a plug for wire pass-through....

 

how far are you from brushar (whatever the hell his name is)? he is in OHIO somewhere....... he is very familiar with Evo's and can do things much faster.

If you are the first evo that place has worked on, they will definately need to take their time (and charge you for it).

 

If it's a MBC it would take about an hour at the most. What's a pain is disconnecting the vacuum lines from the turbo and wastegate actuator. Cuts the crap out of your hand. The mechanical boost gauge can take an hour or so if the shop knows where to route the vacuum line through the firewall. Are you installing a wideband or tapping your A/F gauge to your O2 sensor? If it's the second option, it'll just tap into your ECU and won't take very long. 5 hours of labor for 225 isn't bad but I think it can be done in less time.

What shop are you going to if you don't mind me asking? You can PM me that info if you want.

 

Buschur Racing
www.buschurracing.com

They're located in Wakeman, OH, about 45 minute drive from Cleveland.
I think I paid about $25 for a MBC install (of course I also bought their MBC).

I did my own Boost gauge install and the biggest headache was getting through the firewall to get to the engine bay.

I think the most expensive cost of installing would be your A/F gauge.
I would imagine a shop could install a boost gauge and MBC is an hour and half tops.

If you're in the NE Ohio area, I would go to a local shop that's actually worked on Evos before. Slick motosports, Shearer, Buschur, or Switzer's new shop.

 

Yeah I agree with the above posts. I did the same thing to my car. Do some reasearch and do It your self and save the money. With the money saved get something else for your car like HKS RS intake. I only say this because If you put the MBC in from the top you have to mess with the intake anyways. It is much easiear if you go in from the bottom however to do that you have to take off the splash sheild under the car which can be a pain. Have fun save your money and do it your self.

 

Hell, I won't even do that job for under $250. I am very familiar with these installs and I would still charge 5 hours to get it done. The fact that I may be able to do it quicker has nothing to do with the price charged! Don't forget, I still have to pay for the building and all it's bills.

Just my $.02

 

If you pass through the grommet behind the passenger side shock tower is should be real easy to route the boost gauge line. I never installed a boost contoller on my evo, but i did on my 1g and it took less than half an hour. The price for the install I would say is somewhat average, because shops like that do a very clean install and guarentee their work.

 

Do you buy us dinner before bending us over! Kidding, you do have a business to run.

 

That grommet made life super easy when running sensor wires for my gauges.


Bruno, Let us know how the install goes.

 

No, but I have been known to buy lunch on occasion