$170 to install headers good price???

[cman2000]

Hi

I decided to get some rippmods headers for my 2000 camry. I ask my mechanic here how much he will charge to install them. The rippmods are direct bolt-on...i don't think there is any custom work that needs to be done. Is $170 a fair price for the labor? Or is this price too high?

If anyone ever got headers installed, what price did you guys pay for the installation?

Also, what kind of gains can i expect with the headers? I have the 2000 LE auto 4 cyl, with an injen short-ram intake, and the Greddy Evo cat-back exhaust system. nothing else done to the engine. How does it sound with headers? I hope it has a nicer, slightly deeper sound than what i have now.

later

[Camdaddy]

Not to hard to install headers, Basic Hand tools and you should be able to install yourself, but if not, 170 sounds a little expensive, shop around some more. Its like less than an hour job to do.

[Nick]

the bolts at the bottom of the header may be seized, that's the hardest part in most exhaust work, sometimes need heating, cutting or an impact gun

the bolts on the head should be alright, although i have broken studs before but they can be replaced, i'd say you can do this yourself, especially on a 4 cyl, if you've got a socket set and ramps or jack stands, should be pretty easy

remember to replace the exhaust gaskets if they're too damaged

170 is much too much for replacing a header (i'd argue to 0.5h labour), especially if its a direct bolt on

[Calvin327]

$120 sounds about right, $170 is expensive.

[cman2000]

thanks guys for the help and info. I will see if that mechanic will drop it to about $120 or so. I thought $170 was a bit much. If it was a custom work maybe...

if not, i'll shop around and see what other places are charging.

later

[augcam]

cman your should be able to do it yourself. just soem basic hand tools and a torque wrench. the torue wrench is very important so you get the right torque on the header bolts. if you dont have enough you will blow your gasket and lose back pressure. if you have too much you will crack your gasket or even your header. but like i said you can do it yourself and save that money for the rippmods SC. oh yeah!!

[Calvin327]

Yo Cman, it was custom work! I had to completely customize my headers to have it fit onto my car, custom piping, welding, etc. If they charge you more than that, it is not worth it.

[cman2000]

thanks for the info. I went to some other shops here, and one guy gave me some BS stuff about how it might take as long as 3 hours to install, and they charge $85/hr! ANd since they charge by the hour, and i don't know these guys, they'll probably goof off and take as long as they can.

I also spoke to the $170 people again, and they said that is the most it'll be...so if it takes them 4 hrs (which it won't) it'll be still $170...if it's less than 2 hrs, it'll be much less than $170. plus, i trust these guys.

hey calvin327, how do you like your headers? Do you feel a significant gain in hp and/or torque? What is your setup (intake, exhaust, etc?) also, how is the sound? is it a deep tone to it?

later

[Nick]

do it yourself dude, if its bolt on it'll take you tops 1 hour

[Deep]

Is it bolt on or do you have to fab a short length of piping? If there's any sort of fabbing involved, take it to an exhaust shop and get a full-custom done up at the same time, it'll be cheaper over the long run.

[cman2000]

I have another quick question...hope it is not too "dumb"

If i install the rippmods headers, will it affect in anyway my annual TX inspection (smog, carb, etc)? Last time i got my car inspected, the first place gave me alot of crap for my injen intake, which is 50state smog legal. I went to another place who knew better and passed me. I just don't want to get into that situation again with the new headers. For anyone w/ the rippmods headers, does it remove any of the catalytic converters?

[augcam]

your new headers shouldnt mess with your emissions test. the stock headers have a place for a emissions sensor. if the rippmods dont you may have a prob. otherwise you shoud be ok. you can always put the heat sheild back on and they probably wont even know its different.

[cman2000]

thanks augcam for the info. When i place my order over the phone tomorrow w/ rippmods for the headers, i'll ask just to double check. but i don't think it will affect the emissions test

[Calvin327]

You are only looking at gains here. More Torque and HP, as for loudness it all depends. I have a customize straight flow short intake, Bosal Brospeed headers, high flow cat custom piping all the way to a APEX-N1 muffler. It sounds like deep at first and then sounds like a rocket. Basically I could hear the muffler and intake kick in, in the beginning then at high rpm I hear the headers the most. It just depends on what kind of stuff you have, (intake and muffler). Hope you get yours done right.

As for smog emissions, I don't know if you might pass. I know definitely won't pass my mine, because the way my is, I had two cats. One on the manifold and one on the downpipe. Since I had to eliminate the manifold cat its all bad right there! I also had to drill a 02 hole bung for my second 02 sensor, since I have a CA spec camry, because the Bosal Brospeed only comes with one pre-drilled 02 and I have two sensors.

P.S. The gas consumption sucks though! But Power in exchange for gas I guess. Also you'll be able to feel the power, don't worry.

Calvin

[cman2000]

hey calvin, thanks for that info. It helped alot to give me a better pic of what to expect. I think I will be happy with the rippmods headers. They said it is a direct bolt-on, so i'm assuming i can keep all my cats, etc and not alter the smog/emissions thing too much. You said your camry is a California spec car, and it won't pass emissions....so what are you gonna do? just curious, in case mine won't pass either (although to pass in texas it is pretty strict, i know it's nowhere as strict as in cali).

later
cman2000