I have a 95 Z-28 and I am looking for a mechanic that will know how to do everything (the right way) . I am in fox chase, Philly pa. I am looking for someone with racing and F-BODY experience. and that will save me some money every 1 wants 800-1200 just to do a cam labor WTF plz help

 

You are going to find that most people who are good are expensive. That is not to say thay everyone who is expensive is good! Generally, the only way to get good but cheap in a large city is to find a very knbowledgable amatuer or a pro who works "one the side" to help you do it yourself or in his home shop.

A pro just can't do it cheap and stay in business. A good friend of mine owns a speed shop. From him, I've learned about the economics of that business. He is currently charging $72 an hour. Sounds like a lot, but maybe 40% is profit.

So figure it out for a year. If you worked a nominal 2,000h year you would gross ~$144,000 with a $57,600 net. Sound ok, but you have to consider that you need at least $250,000 in tools, equipment, inventory, etc. Even with a yield of just 6%, you are losing $15,000/y on what you have tied up in the business. And the equipment depreciates, adding cost. So if you subtract the $15K fro the $57,600K net, you would be making $42,500/y for 2,000h work. That's $21.25/h, not a way to get rich in my book.

A mechanic working for a dealership can do better than this, that's why the independent garage is kinda dying out, FWIW.

Rich Krause

 

Thanks, Rich. That's a good economics lesson we all need to know, whether we like it or not. It's the same story in contract manufacturing.

We have a local top notch GM tech who is very good, and is also a gear head. He does things like cam changes, engine swaps/rebuilds, performance trans. rebuilds etc. in his garage nights and weekends for about 1/3 of the going dealership hourly rate. That's what I'd look for to do the cam swap. Ask around. There's probably one or more in your area, Dmx.

My $.02

 

Ditto on what Rich said. You have to look at what you consider "cheap". A shop that will do it "cheap" is either not knowing what they are getting into, or their definition of cheap isnt the same as yours. Either way you probably wont want to do buisness with them. Your best bet is to find someone on the side who is knowlageable and willing to do it. I would do it for you but it would depend on what your willing to spend. I agree that $1200 is a bit much but $700-800 isnt bad considering all the work thats involved. I am a mechanic, but I dont work on cars. I'm a diesel mechanic but working on cars is just my hobby and a way for me to make some side money. If your intrested, e-mail or PM me and we can work something out. I'm not all that far from you either. I wouldnt be able to do it untill my garage is done, but that shouldnt be too much longer. If you cant wait, I can try to hook you up with another local guy who might be willing to do it.



Brian


Edit:
BTW, to go along with what Rich said, the labor rate at my work is $105/hr and $88/hr for travel time, plus $1.95 per mile and tolls. OT and Sunday work... forget it, at over $200 and hour you can rack up a $2k+ bill in 1 day no problem. I'm currently working on a job that I have $7400 in labor alone. Quality work is not cheap.

 

Sounds like Brian may be your man!

Rich Krause

 

I THINK I FOUND THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT MAYBE 9-950 + 200-220 FOR A DYNO TUNE AT JDS AUTO WHERE PCM4LESS GOS SO HE SAID 1150 FOR A INSTALL WITH DYNO TUNING FROM BRIAN

 

Try Rapid Motorsports in Birdsboro,just east of Reading. Mikey knows his stuff. I've seen him do a cam job in an LS1 in 4 hours.

E-Mail mike@rapidmotorsports.com

 

thats what you want, a good mechanic that does work on the side at his home and most guys that do work on the side give big breaks off the labor charge, in the northeastern part of pa theres a couple of close friends that do that, giving people good service at a fair price, too bad i live in philly just to far for me to travel to get work done, but i think ive found somebody close to me that does work at his house, ill have to find out how much he charges for his time

 

yeah dude find out i live in philly also by u well, in fox chase area let me no dude my cell # is 267-767-1477 thanks alot ~~~will~~~

 

JD's is a good place to go. I rented his dyno for a few hrs last year to tune my car. Joe has done work for a few guys I know and all of them have been satisfied.

Mikey at Rapid also does good work but I can tell you he wont touch an LT1 anymore. Last time I talked to him he was turning away the work because he has so much LS1 work. An LS1 cam swap is easy.... you dont have to pull the intake to do it. Just pull the rad and timing cover, take off the rockers and the cam will slide right out and the lifters will stay up in the heads.

Unfortunatly and LT1 isnt so simple. Its a 12 hr + job at a minimum. At the rate of most shops ~$70/hr thats $850 and up. Thats why finding someone on the side is a good way to go.

If you dont find anyone to do it, my garage should have the electric ran out to it in the next month. I will be able to do side work then. As I said, I'll work something out with ya or I can try to hook you up with another local board memer who can do it too. Let me know if you dont find anyone to do it.

 

how much would you want??? to do the job if i waited for you to do it??? u can call me if u wanna talk to me 267-7671477 im will thanks dude

 

Will, I'll try and give you a call tomorrow sometime. Or you can call my cell too, 215-852-5095. I have it with me all the time, but if I dont answer just leave a message and I'll call ya back. I'll be more than willing to do it, but we would need to speak over the phone before I could even attempt in giving a price. I'm goin on Vacation Wensday so if you dont hear from me, I wont be home untill next Tuesday.

If all goes well I will have some cables run out to the garage soon after I get back from vacation. Cant work on anything without lights. The driveway isnt finished yet either but I can still get a car in. Talk to ya soon