I've went through some big builds on other platforms, but around the 350z community, what are guys paying up front to start work and during the build? I always felt that 25% to start work and 25% at the midway point was fair with full payment on delivery. What is the standard with the supporting vendors here?

And when I say big build, I'm talking engine + F/I + supporting mods, $15,000+ Thanks.

-Mark

 

nothing. You just won't get your car back if you don't pay afterwards lol...

 

but i had all of about 4k paid on my build before it was complete but i trust the vendors i did business with

 

sounds fair ...

 

On my build, I paid for most of the parts up front, then paid for the labor at the end of the build.

 

+1, enough to cover the cost of parts and get things started.

 

I've enjoyed the Vortech kit we've had on the stock block for a couple years now, but never took the Z any farther. I had an all out 10 sec drag vehicle to satisfy my need for speed. There were also no local shops I would trust to do a large project..

Recently I moved to San Diego and sold off my drag vehicle, so I'm considering a couple options for the Z. One is to improve on the vortech kit with the stock block (ditch the SS box, meth inject, smaller pulley, fuel sys upgrades, etc) while the other is a built block, T-trim, nitrous, supporting mods, etc...

-Mark

 

lol yeah that is pretty much correct

 

Usually enough to cover parts, labor is paid when done or in steps, every shop will be different.

OT-I wouldnt waste $$$$ on a Vortech + build, its been attempted (T-trim) with no good results IMO

 

just like with a contractor I would be wary to put up more than 25% until the job is done to my satisfaction. unless I know them, and then 50% is possible... too many stories... too many problems with builds.

 

plus $15000 really isnt that much. i am spending just a few thousand shy of that to get what is a fairly basic greddy tt setup with no built motor. you may want to reconsider what you're about to spend on this project

 

I really don't want to play the California game of finding someone to pass me with a turbo setup. I'd be happy to get 425hp out of a built engine/Vortech setup and get the rest of the way with nitrous.

-Mark

 

I was using that number as a starting point of what I consider a "big build", not what my budget is.

 

Say you have a $20,000 build with $15,000 worth of parts. You wouldn't expect a shop to front a bunch of money to buy your parts, would you?

 

I paid 50% up front for parts and some labor and of course the rest at the time of pick up.

 

Ideally, yes, you would expect them to front the cost minus a reasonable deposit. But in reality, many shops aren't big enough to take on that debt while your car is being built (along with the other builds they are involved in).

Also, those $15,000 in parts didn't cost the shop $15,000, so I don't believe that is a fair number no matter the size of the shop. If the shop can't handle the debt during your build, the most they should want up front is their cost on the parts.

-Mark

 

I personally paid all upfront, but I did trust my builder and it really wasn't that much comapared, just Vortech installed and tuned, no built motor or other mods.

I would expect paying for atleast the parts up front and then labor upon completion.

Also, keep in mind, the Vortech is only CARB legal as the full kit exactly as it comes, stock pulley with SS, etc. Granted, most people will not be able to catch that, but just an FYI. GL.

 

Yep, I realize that, but easier to pass than a couple turbos handing off the engine

 

half up front, half when its done unless you add a lot during the process is what we do...

 

50% up front and a little every month after that.