Is $280 reasonable to install a catback?

TongMan · 02-03-2011, 09:47 AM

I was just curious how much it would cost to let a shop do it. Now I have an idea. I will be installing my catback in my garage with the help of my brother. Thanks for all your input.

djpathfinder · 02-03-2011, 11:11 AM

The install is pretty straight forward. Good luck and have fun.

daisuke149 · 02-03-2011, 11:15 AM

You shouldnt have to remove the underbrace for the gemini which makes it a easy install.
1 hour max for anyone who has a lift and tools and does this normally (aka a tech)

And for whoever said normal rates are 90 or 100 or whatnot that really depends on the city and also the cars you work on.

A porsche/ferrari/amg only shop (my neighbor runs one) charges more per hour. The tools, machines etc to work on some of those add a much higher cost and mechanics trained specifically for those type of high end cars arent cheap.

The thing that isnt good though, is that the hourly rate includes a profit for the shop. So its ridiculous for them to charge an additional hour or two just to pad more profits.

Footloose301 · 02-03-2011, 12:26 PM

A catback should be very easy to install. If you plan on doing HFC's or test pipes then go to a shop. I see too many people busting their balls and/or tools installing them.

TeamARK · 02-03-2011, 02:43 PM

It all depends on the location of the shop. Shops around Socal charges around 80/hr

johnnydrama · 02-03-2011, 06:24 PM

Shops around here charge 70-80 an hour. I paid $75 for my fi catback install. Took about 45 min. $140 is ridiculous and so is 2 hour install.

draper · 02-03-2011, 09:51 PM

I paid CAD $240 to have Catback and HFC installated, this includes getting the cross threaded bolts out.

tyler20c · 02-04-2011, 04:17 PM

Got mine installed by a shop for 80 bucks

TongMan · 02-04-2011, 09:42 PM

Just installed my Invidia catback by myself in my garage using a 14mm socket wrench and jack stands. Saved some dough instead of paying someone $90-140 an hour to do it.

Waiz · 02-04-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongMan

Just installed my Invidia catback by myself in my garage using a 14mm socket wrench and jack stands. Saved some dough instead of paying someone $90-140 an hour to do it.

Nice, congrats man.

TongMan · 02-04-2011, 09:50 PM

There you go:

Nitrouz · 02-05-2011, 12:15 AM

Good job. I wouldn't pay anything over $0 for such an easy install. Got my test pipes and exhaust installed for $0. I did end up with cuts on my hand though. Oh well...blood's cheaper than money.

TongMan · 02-05-2011, 08:50 AM

Did any of you guys reset your ecu after a catback install?

jpritche · 02-05-2011, 09:18 AM

The cost of living in Murray County is wayyyyy lower than anywhere else haha. If someone quoted $90 an hour for labor to install anything, they would get shot! Around here its more like $35. However, good work is hard to come by.

P.S. Another example of cost of living. Our house payment is about $30 more per month than for me staying in an apartment near school :/

Our house is almost 3,000 square feet, with a two car garage, and 8 acres of land. I feel bad for those in Atlanta.....

CATCHINZZZS · 02-05-2011, 09:56 AM

KIND OF steep search around some other mod shops..

02-03-2011, 11:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	The install is pretty straight forward. Good luck and have fun. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

02-03-2011, 12:26 PM	#19 (permalink)
Footloose301 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,659 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 21	A catback should be very easy to install. If you plan on doing HFC's or test pipes then go to a shop. I see too many people busting their balls and/or tools installing them. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

02-03-2011, 06:24 PM	#21 (permalink)
johnnydrama Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bloomington, IN Age: 40 Posts: 601 Drives: Nismo & FPace SVR Rep Power: 2231	Shops around here charge 70-80 an hour. I paid $75 for my fi catback install. Took about 45 min. $140 is ridiculous and so is 2 hour install. __________________ 358WHP/271WTQ BUILD THREAD

02-05-2011, 12:15 AM	#27 (permalink)
Nitrouz Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 934 Drives: 40th Z, GTR, 420z-tt Rep Power: 15	Good job. I wouldn't pay anything over $0 for such an easy install. Got my test pipes and exhaust installed for $0. I did end up with cuts on my hand though. Oh well...blood's cheaper than money. __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

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02-03-2011, 09:47 AM	#16 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	I was just curious how much it would cost to let a shop do it. Now I have an idea. I will be installing my catback in my garage with the help of my brother. Thanks for all your input.

02-03-2011, 11:15 AM	#18 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	You shouldnt have to remove the underbrace for the gemini which makes it a easy install. 1 hour max for anyone who has a lift and tools and does this normally (aka a tech) And for whoever said normal rates are 90 or 100 or whatnot that really depends on the city and also the cars you work on. A porsche/ferrari/amg only shop (my neighbor runs one) charges more per hour. The tools, machines etc to work on some of those add a much higher cost and mechanics trained specifically for those type of high end cars arent cheap. The thing that isnt good though, is that the hourly rate includes a profit for the shop. So its ridiculous for them to charge an additional hour or two just to pad more profits.

02-03-2011, 02:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
TeamARK Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: CHINO Posts: 957 Drives: Black 350z/370z Rep Power: 17	It all depends on the location of the shop. Shops around Socal charges around 80/hr

02-03-2011, 09:51 PM	#22 (permalink)
draper Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ontario, canada Posts: 32 Drives: g37 Rep Power: 15	I paid CAD $240 to have Catback and HFC installated, this includes getting the cross threaded bolts out.

02-04-2011, 04:17 PM	#23 (permalink)
tyler20c Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 174 Drives: G37 Rep Power: 14	Got mine installed by a shop for 80 bucks

02-04-2011, 09:42 PM	#24 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	Just installed my Invidia catback by myself in my garage using a 14mm socket wrench and jack stands. Saved some dough instead of paying someone $90-140 an hour to do it.

02-04-2011, 09:50 PM	#26 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	There you go:

02-05-2011, 08:50 AM	#28 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	Did any of you guys reset your ecu after a catback install?

02-05-2011, 09:18 AM	#29 (permalink)
jpritche A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cartersville, Ga Age: 32 Posts: 2,570 Drives: '15 RR, '14 IS250 Rep Power: 31	The cost of living in Murray County is wayyyyy lower than anywhere else haha. If someone quoted $90 an hour for labor to install anything, they would get shot! Around here its more like $35. However, good work is hard to come by. P.S. Another example of cost of living. Our house payment is about $30 more per month than for me staying in an apartment near school :/ Our house is almost 3,000 square feet, with a two car garage, and 8 acres of land. I feel bad for those in Atlanta.....

02-05-2011, 09:56 AM	#30 (permalink)
CATCHINZZZS Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 221 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 14	KIND OF steep search around some other mod shops..