Approx how many labor hrs?

**JrdnsEdu** · 02-03-04, 09:27 PM

About to embark on the mods finally and was wondering about how many labor hrs these should take. I'm going to be paying someone, so I want to make sure whatever cost/# of hrs they come up with is reasonable.

A)ZZ4 Engine swap
B)New ROD 6 speed- will have to cut x-member
C) New suspension- Probably VBP Perf Plus
D)Putting everything back together
E) Tuning Thanks for the input!!!!
-Eric

**AKRAY4PLAY** · 02-05-04, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by JrdnsEdu

About to embark on the mods finally and was wondering about how many labor hrs these should take. I'm going to be paying someone, so I want to make sure whatever cost/# of hrs they come up with is reasonable.

A)ZZ4 Engine swap
B)New ROD 6 speed- will have to cut x-member
C) New suspension- Probably VBP Perf Plus
D)Putting everything back together
E) Tuning Thanks for the input!!!!
-Eric

a- about 8 hours
b- depends on complications, probably another 8 hours
c- i installed mine in 9 hours without a lift or air tools
d- included in areas of interest
e- suspension alignment, 2 hours - engine tuning, up to 3 hours

a good wrench should be able to take care of your car in four days working 8 hrs/day. get quotes, a lot of shops refuse to work on Vettes because of perceived snobbiness. installing it your self would be a great learning experience and save you some money, best of luck. Brian

vmrod · 02-06-04, 06:35 AM

If you have the time, patience, and place to work, do it yourself. The money you save will buy any tools you need, and also fix anything you may inadvertantly damaged during the processes.

Most car shops use a software program to calculate the labor hours it takes to perform a certain task. Even if they can fix it in half the time, they still charge for the quoted hours. By doing this, most shops stay competetive, and good mechanics can crank out alot of work for their shops.

**billyvette** · 02-06-04, 09:18 AM

I was wondering if you have already obtained all these parts? and if you were willing to disclose prices you paid. I am very interested in the manual conversion of your project.
thanks

Originally Posted by JrdnsEdu

About to embark on the mods finally and was wondering about how many labor hrs these should take. I'm going to be paying someone, so I want to make sure whatever cost/# of hrs they come up with is reasonable.

A)ZZ4 Engine swap
B)New ROD 6 speed- will have to cut x-member
C) New suspension- Probably VBP Perf Plus
D)Putting everything back together
E) Tuning Thanks for the input!!!!
-Eric

**JrdnsEdu** · 02-06-04, 07:48 PM

Thanks for the responses...

I originally wanted to do everything myself to not only learn more about the process and my car, but I thought it would take my mind off other issues in my life. As it turns out, those other issues are preventing me from doing the mods. myself.
So, since I already planned on them.... I figured I might as well get someone else to do them or they'll never get done.

In response to billyvette:
No, I havent purchased anything, but I have over 14 months of research and a massive spreadsheet detailing vendor price comparisions.

The tranny question is an easy one. Numerous folks have done this already. The ROD 6 speed itself is approx 3K (Summit price) .

Vette Brakes is my suspension of choice . Everyone I know swears by them. They are a sponsor of another forum where they always provide a 10% discount off there catalog for the other forum members. I'll provide details if you want..just let me know.
As for the engine and misc parts..... I was set on a ZZ4 and boosting hp later, but I know someone who is bulding a 383 stroker that could bring the price of this project down significantly if I purchase and use that.
Misc parts need... use either hawaii racing or summit or jegs or ebay for that matter... not one of them is cheaper for everything. Gonna have to mix/match vendors as usual.

There are other details, for example...will everything fit under the hood when complete?.. I know I want to keep my stock SB 69 hood so I'll need a one off on my set up due to height constraints....

As for the hrs, I now have heard from friends and folks online ranges from 32- 55 hrs labor needed. At $60/hr, I think I should budget at least 3K for assistance.
3k would buy a lot of tools..... It's hard not to think I'm just throwing that cash away when I know if I had time I could do the work and enjoy it...
The trade off's I guess for wanting to have a fun driver...

**billyvette** · 02-07-04, 09:30 AM

I am interested in any information you have especially research around the manual conversion. What is the hawaii company you mentioned? Please pm me here or email at www.bathacker38916@yahoo.com thanks I appreciate it very much. also info about the 10% discount deal as well.