vinny

hello everybody, this is to those with the cattman headers, it has been a few weeks now and i am attempting to get a general response on quotes people have recieved to get there headers installed. my mechanic who is a good friend normally gives me swell deals when i need his services. today i was alarmed when he told me it would cost $700 dollars and most of the day to install the headers on my 2000 maxima. he said the rear headers are the difficult ones because of the manifold. He says he has to remove quite a few things from the top part of the engine to access the necessary space. So i would like some feed back on some prices some of you org members have paid or are going to pay to get your headers installed. I just dont want to feel like i am alone in paying this high price. I also dont want to feel like i am getting ripped of. Thanks

whazzzzuup

iTrader: (22)

I think that's too much. It does take awhile to put them on though. However, some people can do it in about 4 hours. I have never taken my car to a shop before, but if I had to charge someone for a header installation, I will probably charge $250.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=435912

MaximaGT-R

iTrader: (7)

$700 sounds like a rip off to me but it is a lot of work tho.

LA02MAX

iTrader: (3)

$700 is too much, find someone else. I mean, yeah, it's a pretty extensive job and all, but not THAT extensive. You just have to remove the front and rear motor mounts (the whole cross member) and sort of jack the engine up to tilt it to the side to gain clearance in the back to remove/install the rear exhaust mainfolds. The front mainfolds and the y-pipe are cake you don't even have to remove the radiator (although it gives you a hellova lot more room)...

hayai240sx

700 (headers)+700 (Labor)= 1400
I'd use that money to purchase VQ35DE swap. Best bang for the buck IMO.

Ceasars Chariot

iTrader: (16)

back when i had mine installed it was around $380 at my local nissan dealership. while it is a difficult job, that price is way to high !

my advice would be to get quotes from several places, even the nissan dealership.

again 700 dollars is pure insanity !

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

See the last few posts here:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....tpost&t=484202

$250-$350 is more reasonable. Like Whazzzup said, I'd do an install for $250 too.

Post in your regional forum to see if any .Org members are willing to help you for that price range. I'm sure there are a ton of guys in TX with header install experience who would be willing to help. I'm not sure if Stephen Max still does work for people, but he's in Austin and knows these cars inside out.

Gle03Max

idk about the 3.0 but on all data the 3.5 calls for 10 hours total to install front and rear headers. So most shops labor rate being $70 an hour, $700 is just what you should be charged. I would never pay that but unfortunately that's the way most shops are gonna by when giving you a quote.

vinny

forgot to mention he will be fixing my oil pan leak and installing my o2simulator for this price as well as the headers. Sound any better

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Not to sound harsh, but I don't care for what All Data says, unless I'm working at a dealership or something and looking to make some money. I understand that it does seem "reasonable" on paper going by the book, but a header install can be done in about 4 hours or less by you and your buddies (with plenty of time for BSing and sitting around) if you know what you're doing, which is why many of us recommend finding other .Orgers or people who are experienced with these cars that will charge much less than 10 hours labor.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

I don't know the nature of your leak, but installing an O2 sim is easy and takes less than 30 mins. So I guess my answer, without knowing more about your leak, would be no, it doesn't make $700 sound any better.

ecsdesignz

iTrader: (18)

700 ? damn i was quoted anywhere from 350 - 600 for the install but i'd figure i do it myself be cheaper. is your oil leaking from the drain bolt or around the pan itself ? the little copper seal for the drain bolt is about 30 cents and the O2 sim installs takes someone who knows how to do it bout 5 mins flat.

vinny

he puppet with the oil pan and 02 simulator does that sound more reasonable

MaximaGT-R

iTrader: (7)

nope it doesnt, still too much money. get quote from different places like Ceasars Chariot said. We just giving advises but if you want to spend that much money and you think its reasonable go for it.

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

My Cattman headers+ ES motor mounts+ Passanger axle are getting installed for free and my HotShot headers were $100 to install.

Even if you don't know anyone at the shop, a headers install should not go over $300.

He has to remove NOTHING from the top of the motor, when you remove the lower engine brace with the front and rear motor mounts on it all you have to do is tilt the motor so that the rear bank faces you more. You get more room that way than if you pull the upper intake wich is a PIA.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

I think it's pretty clear you're getting Even if he tacks on OP repair and O2 sim isntall.

vinny

it is coming from around the oil pan, the oil pan has to be removed

SuperStasiu

iTrader: (3)

HUH? Why would he have to take off the oil pan. Man i have 01 and when me and Blackbird did the install of hotshot headers goofeing around takeign our time it took us about 2.5-3 hours with the 02 sim install.

whazzzzuup

iTrader: (22)

I think the oil pan needs to be removed in order to fix his oil leak. He is probably just changing out the gasket.

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

Reading > you...

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Another instance -- -> http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...2&postcount=10

Taken from http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....95#post5495995

vinny

oil pan has a leak, fixing the leak he told me there is no gasket on the oil pan just gasket maker needs to be used. sure hope he is right

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Scary and never a good thing when someone says that about their mechanic.

vinny

spoke to him again he says there is two parts to the oil pan, one part has a gasket and the other part does not. the part without the gasket is leaking

SuperStasiu

iTrader: (3)

OMG i think i have a stalker jeeze i miss read one thread relax dude seriously i thought he ment to install the headers. You want an autograph or something? lol

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

You act like this is some dumb club laugh my a$$ off...

SuperStasiu

iTrader: (3)

This ain't a club oh shnap

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

That's becauase you're not in it ...

maxima_kenny96

iTrader: (10)

^^ lol (10char)

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Back on track please....

bladerunr

iTrader: (14)

The lower oil pan uses an RTV gasket and takes no more than 30 minutes to replace. That includes removing 10 or 12 bolts, scraping off the old gasket, applying new RTV, letting it setup, and putting the pan back on. Tack on another 20 mins for curing and replace the oil.

Now if the upper oil pan has a leak that's another story.

SuperStasiu

iTrader: (3)

lol

NISMAX03

iTrader: (4)

I had my Hotshot headers and UDP installed for $250. It took most of the day for the install. No complaints.

vinny

it was the upper oil pan that was leaking not the lower whch was l little more difficult to fix. so that was done also. so lets say 350 for the headers and 150 for the oil pan that still around $500 dollars. no dealership would have done the upper oil pan and the headers for anything less than 600 dollars if your lucky

whazzzzuup

iTrader: (22)

That's true. However, it looks like you are in denial. Remember he is charging you $700. That's $450 for the headers install and $250 for fixing the oil pan leak. You should find another reliable/dependable, honest, and more importantly, reasonably priced (slightly depends on the other two characteristics). You posted on here, wondering if $700 is too much. We are all telling you (unless I missed something) that it is too much. I don't like seeing people getting ripped off. The key words are: shop around. Also, if you want to learn a thing or two, fix it yourself, with a more knowledgable friend.

Good luck with the headers and leak.

SuperStasiu

iTrader: (3)

Well do you change your oil yourself?

.If you do then you know where the oil pan is.

Do you have some basic tools and probably a 12mm or 14mm Wrench or socket?

.Im not sure but the oil pan bolts are probably that size. So all you would have to do is drain your oil. Remove the bolts, take off oil pan, get a scrapper from home depot or any hardware store, scrape of the old gasket from the oil pan also check on the engine if there is any gasket on there. Remmember that it's not a gasket but a RTV seal basically. Get some nissan rtv sealant from nissan its like 10-20 bucks. Apply the RTV sealant to the oil pan, then reinstall the oil pan, wait for it to cure and refill your engine oil. And then go have a heiny and pat yourself on the back that saved urself
200+ bucks muahahaha.
Hey reall quick question have you checked yourself where the leak is coming from exactly? Maybe its from the oil pressure sending unit. Its a plug with a wire coming out of it right above the oil pan plug. Maybe thats leaking?

vinny

thank you everybody for your good advice everything was done for six hundred dollars still a little high but he is dependable, now time to test it

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

3.0 Install is a bit harder than 3.5 IMHO.

How many of us are here?

Me, Upstate, Mike Jez, And the other guy that's gray lustre.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

And the latest dude with the nice video/commentary.