Well i'm in need of a new spawn of satan opti...the garage that will do the work says the estimate is 960 for opti, new plug wires, labor etc... Does 960 sound right? I know it's hard work and it is expensive everywhere, but how expensive? I don't think i can do it with the tools and resources that I have.

 

$960 is way too much. The opti is not difficult to install just a little time consuming. I would invest in some tools and do it yourself.

 

I'm not a very mechanically inclined person, and I am finishing up my opti tonight. I'd venture to say that it's easily doable by yourself in a day.

 

Well, considering that I live in an apartment and there really isn't anywhere I can do it, I guess i'll just have ti have someone do it for me...

 

wwwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy to much thats crazy for a tune up , , if you bring it out to california ill do it for half that . . if i were you id get the parts and do it my seld , , it isnt hard at all it just takes time and patients

 

I'd personally do the job myself too. Honestly, the job is fairly easy if you have a manual and take your time. It looks more daunting than it is. But, if you're not that mechnically inclined, $960 is not unreasonable.... depending on the plugs/ wires used.
When I was debating whether to tune my own car or not I got an estimate of $500 to replace plugs, wires, and opti + the parts. The opti is around $300? for a vented unit. Decent plugs can run$55. Good wires are another $60-90. Now if the guy is using crap parts, like generic plugs and cheap wires, it is a bit expensive.
Also, if you truly can't perform the mechanical work, purchase the parts yourself and then bring the parts into the garage for install. Get a written estimate on install charges with your own parts prior to this. Most shops mark up the cost of parts, so this will save you $$. Shopping around online wil save more $$. I got MSD 8.8mm wires from Year One for only $50 shipped and NGK iridium plugs were cheapest at O'Reilly Auto of all places at $55 for all eight.
The tune-up price should also include the PCV valve, oil change, flushing the radiator, and changing the trans fluid and diff fluid. Many places "overlook" these items and concentrate on plugs/wires only. Get this clarified before you commit.
Good luck whatever course of action you decide on.

Schantin
1997 Camaro Z28