Over $6000 to install TTI headers on 66 Barracuda

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cudajames

cudajames

FABO Gold Member
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The mechanic who has done most of the work on my car and friends is charging me over $6000 for the install of TTI headers on my 66 barracuda The sad part, the work is not completed. He called and asked for a payment.
We had discussed the work and budget of about $1000 for the install. ( I talked to a different mechanic who stated it would be about a day and ½ of work, about $1000) When I talked to him he stated it was hard and time consuming and would go over budget. Which was raised and I told him my max.
He continued to having problems with the install and wanted to change out the motor mounts (which are 2000 miles old) and other work. At this stage, the headers are not even connected to the exhaust. And he is at 60 man hours. This seems crazy to me. Am I wrong?
It looks like I have little recourse but to pay, to get my car back.
Is there anything I can do? The better business bureau doesn’t seem like much help
And yes, I will be pulling my uncompleted car out of there. I have lost faith in mechanics and I am really down on the car now, which I am now thinking of selling. This is turning into a nightmare of a experience
 
He's hosing you!

Early A's are a PIA to install headers, but 7 straight 8 hour days... LOL not a fricken chance unless he's totally incompetent.
 
holy cow man! get out of there NOW! what douche bag shop is this? bring it to my place in gilroy, ill help ya out...
 
mopardude318 said:
holy cow man! get out of there NOW! what douche bag shop is this? bring it to my place in gilroy, ill help ya out...
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No kidding.

It's a one day job for a competent shop/person. You'll work hard, but, get it done.

Reading the instructions help too. I'm sure that shop is too smart to have to read them!

Nice offer James! Hey, it's a tow job! LOL
 
Sounds like a mechanic that ran out of talent.
 
Jeez thats expensive! I hate installing headers but not enough to want 6k to change em.
 
I know the cost-of-living is high in Silicon Valley, but that is crazy. Sounds like his fault for lack of communication. There should have been a written estimate. If not, he is one hanging in the wind. CA has pretty strict laws to protect consumers for auto repair. I complained about a shop once and they actually called me back and investigated. Try that. After that, there is always small claims court.

Rule of thumb for most work - auto, home, whatever, is that labor costs are about equal to parts cost. Of course, not true if replacing a $5 clutch throw-out bearing, but usually true for high-end bolt on parts like your TTI headers.
 
WRB426 said:
Sounds like a mechanic that ran out of talent.
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Yes.

He was probably fine working on that other stuff he's done for original poster.

But this isn't easy and he got way over his head.

Did he give you a written estimate? Is he a licensed shop? Don't pay him over $1000 original estimate. Should be lot less. Call Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Needed to go to place familiar with Mopar header installs or a very talented muffler shop with lots of experience with hot rod custom installs.
 
Do you have all the required parts to install the headers?

90* filter adapter or remote? Compatible mini starter?

If not, you aren't really helping the situation, BUT, that should have been covered with a review of the de-structions.
 
I would contract with a towing company. Ride up there in the rollback with my JC Higgins double barrel and get my car and headers. Period.

Have done something similar before that was not car related. I stood in the middle of a computer showroom with that very shotgun. I got my stuff back with no charge.
 
i put tti headers on my car,and for the life of me,why anyone would even pay 1k to have them installed in crazy.im sorry,but if you cant cant put headers on your car,and have to pay someone to do it,then you need to be charged some crazy **** amount.
 
jdsduster said:
i put tti headers on my car,and for the life of me,why anyone would even pay 1k to have them installed in crazy.im sorry,but if you cant cant put headers on your car,and have to pay someone to do it,then you need to be charged some crazy **** amount.
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My thought was similar. I would find another hobby if I couldn't do it.
 
jdsduster said:
i put tti headers on my car,and for the life of me,why anyone would even pay 1k to have them installed in crazy.im sorry,but if you cant cant put headers on your car,and have to pay someone to do it,then you need to be charged some crazy **** amount.
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Was it a 64-66 A-body?? Those are particularly hard. More than a 67-76 A-body.
 
jdsduster said:
i put tti headers on my car,and for the life of me,why anyone would even pay 1k to have them installed in crazy.im sorry,but if you cant cant put headers on your car,and have to pay someone to do it,then you need to be charged some crazy **** amount.
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kinda the same deal here i bought some used tti's for the 440 ill be building for my duster, the headers themselves were very expensive i couldn't imagine shelling out even more money to have them installed.
 
Call the B.A.R., in California they can't hold your car. All they can do is take you to
court and try to get the money. If you didn't sign a written estimate they are out of luck.
 
So you have to pay because he doesn't know what he is doing.Go get your car and headers.
 
siuauto said:
Call BAR. You only have to pay what you signed for and they can not hold your car.
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I totally agree with all the posts like this.
$6000 is total BS, and CA law does not allow them to keep your car.

Personally it makes me wonder what you have already paid this guy for.

For 6 grand I'd fly out there, buy the tools new, do it for you in two days and take the rest of the month off.
(and STILL come out pretty good on it.)

It's not your financial responsibility to train this guy on how to do something he lead you to believe he was capable of doing.
4-600 I could see.
 
Bring it to me. I'll do it in my driveway for only $2K. LOL. Go get your car back asap.
 
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