Am I getting ripped off??? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

uvraise · 09-26-2020, 09:12 AM

So my car needs a new cylinder head, valve and lifter/lash adjuster. I have it at the dealer and they want $5K parts and labor. Any opinions welcome!

Spec · 09-26-2020, 09:14 AM

That is steep.

Hadn't had that kind of work done, but they fixed my broken rocker and spring issue for 550.

Get a second opinion.

BuddyLee · 09-26-2020, 09:17 AM

Although a different car, Scion TC, son Little Ricky replace an engine but not at a dealer for 6K.

mikeman · 09-26-2020, 09:22 AM

Yeah, they're bending you over.

ariZona28 · 09-26-2020, 11:21 AM

Seems to me that you should be able to get heads, cam and tune upgrade from an LS performance shop for that amount of coin. Time to shop around.

uvraise · 09-26-2020, 12:36 PM

Thanks for the replies! I have an inquiry to a local speed shop who specialize in Chevys, specifically Camaros and Vettes, I'm waiting to hear back from them.

I think it's a lot of money as well. I can pretty much handle everything external to the engine with my experience, knowledge and abilities. But diving into the engine itself is outside of my scope!

Danial · 09-26-2020, 12:42 PM

Seems like a lot but then clear back in 1989 or so, I had a head replaced under warranty on my Mazda MX6 and if I had to pay for it, it would have been almost $2500 then.

mikeman · 09-26-2020, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uvraise

Thanks for the replies! I have an inquiry to a local speed shop who specialize in Chevys, specifically Camaros and Vettes, I'm waiting to hear back from them.

I think it's a lot of money as well. I can pretty much handle everything external to the engine with my experience, knowledge and abilities. But diving into the engine itself is outside of my scope!

Don't sell yourself short. Like you, I'm not experienced with engine internals. However, for some money, I dived into a headgasket/head rebuild project on a Lexus GS 300 2JZ-GE and it wasn't that bad.

Maybe a little easier due to it being an inline 6, but I don't think a V8 would be that much harder. I'm glad I challenged myself with that project. The car ran perfect afterwards.

Danial · 09-26-2020, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeman

Don't sell yourself short. Like you, I'm not experienced with engine internals. However, for some money, I dived into a headgasket/head rebuild project on a Lexus GS 300 2JZ-GE and it wasn't that bad.

Maybe a little easier due to it being an inline 6, but I don't think a V8 would be that much harder. I'm glad I challenged myself with that project. The car ran perfect afterwards.

And then there's that! My brother, who is not a motorhead at all, spent most of spring and summer doing a complete, on-the-engine-stand rebuild of the 350 in his old Chevy truck. I would have considered it amazing if he had even just given it a tune up. He's just not the kind of guy to spend any time under a hood. He's 62 years old and said WTH and just did it. Truck runs excellent now.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 09-26-2020, 02:04 PM

Wasn't someone selling a L99 takeout for around 5k?

Dealership? They should call themselves dentists

InFiD3ViL · 09-26-2020, 02:16 PM

$5500 is the price of a good used LS3/L99 long block..the complete engine. So yes, I would say that is an absolute rip off.

For that price you could get a brand new set of complete CNC ported heads and have thousands left over if you did your own work. I would expect maybe $1300-1500 for labor at a non-dealer shop, but that's just a guess, maybe a little bit higher. So still cheaper for BOTH brand new high flow heads, valves and springs included. OEM style lifters are around $130 if they can be found and you could replace all of them if you replaced the heads or had it done.

I feel bad for the guys that can't do this type of work at home (not saying that's you, I have no idea). It places them in prime position to get taken advantage of and it's BS.

Either way, you could still pay less than this by buying a set of nice complete heads, lifters, lifter buckets, hardened pushrods, all required gaskets, ARP head bolts and having a shop do the labor. At worst, you would break even to the dealer cost but be ahead in horsepower and reliability. You could then sell the remaining good head for $250 to recoup some $.

*Are you sure they said the cam lobe is ok?

hudson773 · 09-26-2020, 05:38 PM

are you out of warranty, I thought eng was 5/50

steakmaker · 09-26-2020, 06:26 PM

PLEASE ,Post the estimate in writing with the dealer's letterhead,so we all can steer clear of this dealer. If you don't have one ,get one,so you can compare with your other estimates you'll be getting. Good Luck! "Steakmaker"

uvraise · 09-26-2020, 07:09 PM

Yes, way out of warranty! I have 93K on the odometer. It's my DD and I'm a construction worker, so I travel a bit for work. The dealer is Hessert Chevrolet in Philadelphia. After your responses and the advice of a local speed shop (They can't take me anytime soon), I reached out to a local service center where I've taken cars in the past. I explained the situation to them and I'm awaiting a response. I'll let you guys know the outcome!

09-26-2020, 09:12 AM	#1
uvraise Drives: 2021 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 236 View My Garage	Am I getting ripped off??? So my car needs a new cylinder head, valve and lifter/lash adjuster. I have it at the dealer and they want $5K parts and labor. Any opinions welcome! __________________ 2015 SS2/RS, SCT Tune (Dynosteve), Vitesse Throttle Controller, Vararam VR-DRX CAI, Vararam Power Wedge TBS, Granatelli Performance MAF

09-26-2020, 11:21 AM	#5
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,276	Seems to me that you should be able to get heads, cam and tune upgrade from an LS performance shop for that amount of coin. Time to shop around. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

09-26-2020, 12:36 PM	#6
uvraise Drives: 2021 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 236 View My Garage	Thanks for the replies! I have an inquiry to a local speed shop who specialize in Chevys, specifically Camaros and Vettes, I'm waiting to hear back from them. I think it's a lot of money as well. I can pretty much handle everything external to the engine with my experience, knowledge and abilities. But diving into the engine itself is outside of my scope! __________________ 2015 SS2/RS, SCT Tune (Dynosteve), Vitesse Throttle Controller, Vararam VR-DRX CAI, Vararam Power Wedge TBS, Granatelli Performance MAF

09-26-2020, 02:04 PM	#10
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	Wasn't someone selling a L99 takeout for around 5k? Dealership? They should call themselves dentists __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

09-26-2020, 02:16 PM	#11
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,586	$5500 is the price of a good used LS3/L99 long block..the complete engine. So yes, I would say that is an absolute rip off. For that price you could get a brand new set of complete CNC ported heads and have thousands left over if you did your own work. I would expect maybe $1300-1500 for labor at a non-dealer shop, but that's just a guess, maybe a little bit higher. So still cheaper for BOTH brand new high flow heads, valves and springs included. OEM style lifters are around $130 if they can be found and you could replace all of them if you replaced the heads or had it done. I feel bad for the guys that can't do this type of work at home (not saying that's you, I have no idea). It places them in prime position to get taken advantage of and it's BS. Either way, you could still pay less than this by buying a set of nice complete heads, lifters, lifter buckets, hardened pushrods, all required gaskets, ARP head bolts and having a shop do the labor. At worst, you would break even to the dealer cost but be ahead in horsepower and reliability. You could then sell the remaining good head for $250 to recoup some $. Are you sure they said the cam lobe is ok? __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI Last edited by InFiD3ViL; 09-26-2020 at 02:27 PM.*

09-26-2020, 09:14 AM	#2
Spec Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,018	That is steep. Hadn't had that kind of work done, but they fixed my broken rocker and spring issue for 550. Get a second opinion.

09-26-2020, 09:17 AM	#3
BuddyLee Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 802	Although a different car, Scion TC, son Little Ricky replace an engine but not at a dealer for 6K.

09-26-2020, 09:22 AM	#4
mikeman Banned Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: My Garage Posts: 1,125	Yeah, they're bending you over.

09-26-2020, 12:42 PM	#7
Danial Drives: 2013 SS/RS, 2015 Camaro SS/RS Vert Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Southern Nevada Posts: 2,144 View My Garage	Seems like a lot but then clear back in 1989 or so, I had a head replaced under warranty on my Mazda MX6 and if I had to pay for it, it would have been almost $2500 then.

09-26-2020, 05:38 PM	#12
hudson773 Account Suspended Drives: 2014 camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: nj Posts: 268	are you out of warranty, I thought eng was 5/50

09-26-2020, 06:26 PM	#13
steakmaker Drives: '10 Camaro SS,Jeep Commander Hemi Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cicero,NY Posts: 567	PLEASE ,Post the estimate in writing with the dealer's letterhead,so we all can steer clear of this dealer. If you don't have one ,get one,so you can compare with your other estimates you'll be getting. Good Luck! "Steakmaker"

09-26-2020, 07:09 PM	#14
uvraise Drives: 2021 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 236 View My Garage	Yes, way out of warranty! I have 93K on the odometer. It's my DD and I'm a construction worker, so I travel a bit for work. The dealer is Hessert Chevrolet in Philadelphia. After your responses and the advice of a local speed shop (They can't take me anytime soon), I reached out to a local service center where I've taken cars in the past. I explained the situation to them and I'm awaiting a response. I'll let you guys know the outcome! __________________ 2015 SS2/RS, SCT Tune (Dynosteve), Vitesse Throttle Controller, Vararam VR-DRX CAI, Vararam Power Wedge TBS, Granatelli Performance MAF