I went to a local transmission shop to ask about installing a set of 3.73 gears into my 2.73 car. They said it would cost around 1000 -1200 bucks. Seems way too high. Anyone know of shop in the Pittsburgh area that would do the gear install for me? Or, what is a good way to find a shop that does gear installs?

 

haha, they are nuts! I paid $250 installed for mine, and that was including the gm limited slip additive. I'm sure someone will know of a good shop for you to go to. Try posting in the north eastern regional area as well. http://web.camaross.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30

 

I installed my own gears. Its a pain. Took about 6 hours b/c it was my first time. My brother back in the day's got some installed in his 96Z and he payed like $210. So I dont know where $1000 would go. Make sure you get a Master Bearing kit. Its worth it. Richmond has them in Summit for the 10 bolt.

 

Huh , a shop near me charges $400 CDN$ for a gear swap. If the shop KNOWS what they're doing, it shouldn't take that long, and they shouldn't be charging ~$1000 . Don't go to that shop!!!

 

you went to a transmission shop for a gear install..... its possible they dont want the job and quoted high due to the aggrivation of doing the job. Take it to a shop that does this kind of work. I would recommend most performance shops.

 

I've called all around and the cheapest I've found was over $450. They weren't the most renowned place around either. The quality shops were asking between $600 and $800. I'm still debating whether it's worth it or if the money should be put towards a 12 bolt or Dana.

Don't skimp out on a cheap place because it is a exact process and if it's not set right you won't last long.

 

I agree and disagree with your last statement ...

... while you don't want your gears setup WRONG, for someone who does it on a semi-regular basis, it shouldn't be a big deal, and they're only ripping you off if they're charging over ~$500 .

If you're not prepared to do it yourself, and/or you can't find someone GOOD, but who will do it for a FAIR price, it just doesn't seem worth the ~$1000, when, like a couple guys are saying, you can find a used 12-bolt for that price!!! I mean, what happens when you spend ~$1000 on your 10-bolt, to have a "reputable shop" do the job, and the gears bust ~2 weeks later anyways?????? Bet that'll be a nice kick in the *****?

Playing with 10-bolts is like playing with fire ... sooner or later you may get burned, but it's not worth PAYING someone to "burn" you knowingly .

 

True, true. At the very least though I would suggest getting some word of mouth from local enthusiasts on a shop before you go plunking down money. That place I had mentioned that would do it for $450 had a few customers from the local board. They all complained that the gears were noisy and one ended up having them re-done at another shop. Course the place they recommended wanted $600 for the job and wouldn't do 3.90s because they don't carry Motives, only Richmond 4.10s

 

I know this post is a lil old, I just broke my Moser 12 bolt, the tru trac diff to be exact, I wanted to switch gears.... so

its nearly 500 for a new diff
155 for gears
100 for install kit
20-30 in shop meterial and fluids
5 hours shop labor @ 75/hr
6% CT sales tax

im coming close to like 1250-1300 bucks, but if the diff didnt break 700-800 is bout the norm.

 

Blackrat,

Do you still need gears installed...I just got mine done about a month ago in Santa Clara. $550 including gears, labor, fluids, etc. Reputable place..a lot of folks around here have gone there.

Greg94Z,

$1000 is way too much. Gears are only $240 or so. If you find a shop that specializes in rearends, they could do the job with 1 guy in 2 hours...so add another 2 x $100/hr...you looking close to $450-$500.

Shop around some more. But yes, find a "rearend" specific shop. They have all the tools and can do them quickly. For my car, they did my car during some downtime when they were waiting for front/rear axles for a 4x4. With 3 people, it took them 1/2 hour.