I have searched and searched and still didn't get the answers I was looking for so here's the question: Would you try to remove your Greddy Turbos in your garage without a lift? I need to have them rebuilt and replace exhaust manifold gaskets as well.

I have been to a shop, and understanding they need to make money as well, I am trying to decide if I should try to do this myself with the engine IN the car.
The shop will remove the engine of course but that will cost me +/- $3000 just for labor..and I HATE paying for something I can do myself...just trying to decide if I should attempt this in my garage on Jackstands...

Opinions?
Thanks in advance..

 

I did my install with the motor in the car and it was a pita but i did have a lift.I would guess if you are able to get it high enough with jack stands it wouldnt be that bad.

 

Without pulling the engine? Not for those with limited time or sensitive pain receptors... but without a lift? No thanks.

 

Boils down to, is your time worth 3000$

sure you can do it. Pulling the engine would be faster than trying to make the proper wrenches.

 

I would do it in my own garage by pulling the engine.

You can buy an engine hoist for just over 100$ or you can rent one. Money well spent for the trouble of trying to remove the turbos while the engine is in. You will also be faster removing the engine.

I won't even install headers on these cars without pulling the engine anymore.

 

3 grand is a bit much. that job should be about a $1000 in labor.

figuring $100/hr
3 hrs to pull motor,
3 hrs to re install motor
4 hrs pull and re install turbos

for 3 grand I would do it myself, but I think if you shopped around you could get it done for a grand. for $1000 I would have a shop do it

 

I installed the greddy kit on jackstands. it was a pain but doable.

 

not for 3k.
get some buddies together, buy a few 6 packs, pull the motor and do it yourself.
Or find a shop who will do it for less. That's an outrageous price imho.

 

+1

WOW! 3000 is mad overpriced.

 

+1. /thread.

 

Those hours are way low for any flat rate shop that I would be comfortable touching my car.

Under warranty the flat rate cost for labor to replace my transmission was 1600$. It takes almost no time to remove an oem transmission and put another back in. With a lift it takes me less than an hour to remove the transmission.

3k in labor sounds about right for most shops to pull an engine and do work.

 

If you are handy in the garage, id do it yourself. 3000 is alot of money to through down the drain. I pulled my engine alone in my driveway in a couple of hours on jackstands.

 

damn I paid 1400$ to replace my engine in a shop around here... and considered that "OK". but wow 3k to do that?? I'd say do it your self I have done it before and it's not too hard, you only need to lift the engine couple of inches to put everything in the right way.

 

I really appreciate all the replies...They want to charge 27 "shop hours" for labor...like I said, I understand..they need to make money too..these guys are friends of mine and I would not bad mouth them, it's just that I HATE paying someone for something I can do myself...except for mowing, weedeating and edging..LMAO two guys can do it in about 35 minutes for $30? HELL YES!

On another note I was told by another shop that their charge was $109.00 per hour and they charged a guy 37 hours to replace exhaust manifold gaskets on a twin turbo car...That's $4033!

I am looking for an engine hoist right now...no time constraints..could be down for 3 months..not a daily driver so WTH..I'm going to pull the front clip, put it up on stands and go for it..

 

It is better to do it yourself. I am in the process of installing my Greddy TT kit. I am NOT using a lift, just good old jack stands. It is a slight pain itn the a**, but overall not too bad. Plus it gives you more time to get familiar with the car, in case something does go wrong.

 

Just do it yourself. You'll learn a lot. Just spend a lot of time prepping where you put parts away and labeling things etc. Get a friend or two to help, offer them a hundred bucks each beer pizza etc to help you and you'll be set.

 

Tom, like I mentioned originally, grab a hoist from Harbor freight. It really is something that can be done in the garage with a hoist, and once it is out it is so much easier to work on the manifolds and turbos.

You can call me if you have any questions throughout the process and i'll shoot you an email with all the photos of my build.

 

ive pulled my motor 6 or 7 times in a tiny 1 car garage with just jack stands and a cherry picker.

i just vent my ac in my garage (ohh noo ) and leave the radiator and intercooler and condensor all attached to the front clip. Can have front of the car off in 20 minutes

 

crap..the ONE thing I forgot about..the AC! dayam. not worried about venting it..I guess just a screwdriver with a glove on the low pressure side?

Phil..i'll look forward to your pics!

 

It's easy Tom. I did it on my de z on jack stands and a cherry picker in 6 hours my first time. That's with labeling everything in ziplock baggies and taping an labeling all the lines aswell. This was with a Greddy Tt kit installed aswell