car needs tune up, got quote for $800
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
car needs tune up, got quote for $800
a local shop that seems pretty reputable here in Dothan, AL says i need a tune up (he says the spark plugs are original on my 1995 vette) and he says there is a vette kit that includes the plugs, wires, and distributor cap and with labor its $800, does that sound about right?
i thought i had a optispark and didnt use a distributor.
any ideas what kit he is referring to?
i thought i had a optispark and didnt use a distributor.
any ideas what kit he is referring to?
#2
Team Owner
The "Optispark" is a distributor as such. The cap can be replaced if needed. How many miles on the car? I would think that 100K or more would be time for a tune-up.
Don't know about a "kit. but you can get plugs at any parts store and also wires. The cap for the Opti can be anywhere from $100 to $150 depending on brand. Plugs can be $2 to $3 each for platinum, $5 to $7 for Iridium. Lots of options there. Figure on $50 or so for OEM-style AC Delco wires.
Labor will be the highest cost but I would expect that it will take a good tech no more than 2-3 hours if that to do everything
$800 is pretty high; 60-70% of that would be more reasonable even using quality parts.
Don't know about a "kit. but you can get plugs at any parts store and also wires. The cap for the Opti can be anywhere from $100 to $150 depending on brand. Plugs can be $2 to $3 each for platinum, $5 to $7 for Iridium. Lots of options there. Figure on $50 or so for OEM-style AC Delco wires.
Labor will be the highest cost but I would expect that it will take a good tech no more than 2-3 hours if that to do everything
$800 is pretty high; 60-70% of that would be more reasonable even using quality parts.
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
thanks for the reply. Yes the car has 121k miles.
He did say it would take about 2 to 3 hours for labor.
he then said the distrib cap was about $200
is this what i would need:
im coming up with:
labor x 3 hours = $225
distrib cap = $200 (his price)
wire set = $ 50
plugs x 8 = 24
total without the cap = 499
so where could the other $300 be? anything else that a tune-up would possibly include parts wise?
He did say it would take about 2 to 3 hours for labor.
he then said the distrib cap was about $200
is this what i would need:
Amazon.com: New Optispark Distributor Cap and Rotor Kit 1995 1996 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 V8-350ci 5.7L F/I Vin P: Automotive
im coming up with:
labor x 3 hours = $225
distrib cap = $200 (his price)
wire set = $ 50
plugs x 8 = 24
total without the cap = 499
so where could the other $300 be? anything else that a tune-up would possibly include parts wise?
#4
Team Owner
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Fuel filter, coolant flush, oil change, thats about all i'd ever let anyone lump into "tuneup" costs.
Nothing to explain the $300 extra expense. I wouldnt think they'd charge $300 for getting the opti out of the engine bay.
Nothing to explain the $300 extra expense. I wouldnt think they'd charge $300 for getting the opti out of the engine bay.
#5
Instructor
do it yourself, you can put the best parts in and it will cost you half that much. I just did mine, it took me 2 hours maybe...good luck! I'm sure they will have more "THINGS" you should change/fix while their already working on it! Good Luck
#6
Drifting
In order to get to the Opti he is going to be draining the coolant, pulling the water pump, and removing the harmonic damper off the crank pulley (it's two pieces). If the damper hasn't been pulled in the past and anti-seize applied to the mating surfaces - it could be a real bear to get off. Do a search - most people take a long piece of wood, go underneath the car and whack it with a hammer against the inner ring (don't want to hit the outer ring as you can damage the rubber sandwich between the rings). Sometimes it is really stubborn so I would not be so quick to criticize his fees. BTW, I do all my own work so I know how hard or easy it can be.
#7
Team Owner
Check with the members of the Corvette club there. The ones that I have met are really nice guys and they can advise you about the cost. They can also recommend shops that they use.
#8
Team Owner
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My feeling is that is she is running/starting fine then don't f--k with the electrical system, i.e. if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Now when it comes to fluids that's a whole 'nother story:
-coolant flush, refresh
-tranny flush & filter
-motor oil change & filter
-even diff fluid & posi additive change
Now when it comes to fluids that's a whole 'nother story:
-coolant flush, refresh
-tranny flush & filter
-motor oil change & filter
-even diff fluid & posi additive change
#9
Le Mans Master
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Helz-belz...I've spent almost an hour getting the #8 plug out of my (former) 95 LT1! Tossing in the Opti's distributor cap (and I'd replace the water pump too while I had it off, BTW), for 3 hrs work for someone reputable to do that work, $800 doesn't seem too far out of line. And, your alternator too, if it has never been replaced, I'll bet is at the end of it's life expectancy too. (From experience, I give the GM alternators about 120K miles before needing to be replaced or R&R'ed).
Of course you could hire yourself to do the work and save the labor costs AND the parts mark-up too, which is what I do on all my Vettes. However, the price they quoted you is about what I would expect to hear for similar work on my work vehicle - or somewhere near that. I don't think that is too far out of line, actually.
Of course you could hire yourself to do the work and save the labor costs AND the parts mark-up too, which is what I do on all my Vettes. However, the price they quoted you is about what I would expect to hear for similar work on my work vehicle - or somewhere near that. I don't think that is too far out of line, actually.
Last edited by Paul Workman; 07-30-2014 at 07:36 AM.
#10
Drifting
If he is servicing the opti.. then that is a reasonable amount.
IMO, change the plugs and wires. Flush all the fluids and don't touch the opti until you have to.
IMO, change the plugs and wires. Flush all the fluids and don't touch the opti until you have to.
#11
Racer
I've been talking with the folks in the clubs here for recommendations on shops. There's a lot of tribal knowledge.
#12
Racer
Helz-belz...I've spent almost an hour getting the #8 plug out of my (former) 95 LT1! Tossing in the Opti's distributor cap (and I'd replace the water pump too while I had it off, BTW), for 3 hrs work for someone reputable to do that work, $800 doesn't seem too far out of line. And, your alternator too, if it has never been replaced, I'll bet is at the end of it's life expectancy too. (From experience, I give the GM alternators about 120K miles before needing to be replaced or R&R'ed).
Of course you could hire yourself to do the work and save the labor costs AND the parts mark-up too, which is what I do on all my Vettes. However, the price they quoted you is about what I would expect to hear for similar work on my work vehicle - or somewhere near that. I don't think that is too far out of line, actually.
Of course you could hire yourself to do the work and save the labor costs AND the parts mark-up too, which is what I do on all my Vettes. However, the price they quoted you is about what I would expect to hear for similar work on my work vehicle - or somewhere near that. I don't think that is too far out of line, actually.
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info guys. I opted to just change the spark plugs. They started that project but stopped when they said they looked brand new. Seems like honest people to me.
Now off to find an electrician, im having alot of weird electrical problems with the coolant fans, radio and PKE working 10% of the time.
Now off to find an electrician, im having alot of weird electrical problems with the coolant fans, radio and PKE working 10% of the time.