Needs a builder to work on my car. Recommended?

[badazz81z28]

Got news today that will I will be performing my duties for a year in the sandbox. I need to find a shop that can professionally install my Quadra link, mini tub and build me a custom exhaust while I'm gone. Looking for someone relatively close, affordable, and can helps my wife transport the car back to my home. Obviously the builder will not be rushed, completion date would need to be no later than February 2017

[MuscleRodz]

location?

[badazz81z28]

I'm in southern California about 1.5 hours north of LA

[badazz81z28]

Nobody huh? Looks like I'm also looking into the feasibility of just getting it done before I leave if the shop can get me in. It avoids any transport issues.

[3_z28camaro]

I do not have personal experience with any of these shops but I have heard good things about them.

http://www.ironworksspeedandkustom.com/
http://www.bentcustomandperformance.com/
http://www.jcgrestorationandcustoms.com/
http://hollywoodhotrods.com/

[killer69]

Give us a call glad to help out
435-628-4300

[RobNoLimit]

Call John at Dueces Wild Hot Rods near Ventura. He's a great guy to deal with and runs a very professional shop.

[MuscleRodz]

besides the opnes mentioned above I would add Best of Show Coachworks.

[badazz81z28]

besides the opnes mentioned above I would add Best of Show Coachworks.

I did contact them and I'm sure they do great work, but wow their labor rates are super high. I can't afford them. My budget has to be in the arena of no more than $6K. To have to get the tubs/Quadra-link/and exhaust done as well as re-weld the frame to the SFCs. Contacted Cris and trying to get time to call him. Sent him an email with no response yet

I'm also trying to find someone who has done the second gen before. I did contact folks like Iron works and have no experience with the DSE kits on the 70-81.

[Vegas 69]

Personally I would get it done before I left or would wait until I got back. Too many horror stories about guys that have done exactly what you're asking about.

Further. I would not a use a shop that is not local enough to drop by and check on progress on a regular basis. #1 rule in my book regardless of who's shop it is.

[badazz81z28]

Personally I would get it done before I left or would wait until I got back. Too many horror stories about guys that have done exactly what you're asking about.

Further. I would not a use a shop that is not local enough to drop by and check on progress on a regular basis. #1 rule in my book regardless of who's shop it is.


Yup, kind of want to get it done before I go. Two reasons...1. When I come back and move relatively quick, it will be done. and 2. If I shall die over there, the wife doesn't have to deal with all my parts all over the house.

[TheJDMan]

I'm wondering if one of our SOCAL members would be willing to act as your agent and keep tabs on the project for you while you're on deployment. If you were in VA near Quantico or Norfolk I would be willing to help out, it would be one small way to thank you for your service. I know that Larry is not far from JCG and has had a bunch of work done on MotiV8r there and no doubt knows those guys pretty well. Don't know how close you are to Oxnard but might be worth contacting Larry for his thoughts.

[badazz81z28]

I'm wondering if one of our SOCAL members would be willing to act as your agent and keep tabs on the project for you while you're on deployment. If you were in VA near Quantico or Norfolk I would be willing to help out, it would be one small way to thank you for your service. I know that Larry is not far from JCG and has had a bunch of work done on MotiV8r there and no doubt knows those guys pretty well. Don't know how close you are to Oxnard but might be worth contacting Larry for his thoughts.

Hoping to hear back from JCG. They are relativly close to me. Cris sold me the engine that's in the car.

[Decline]

Yeah, don't even mess around. Just take it to JCG. Your gonna have to pay somebody, might as well be one the best in the biz.

[MuscleRodz]

I did contact them and I'm sure they do great work, but wow their labor rates are super high. I can't afford them. My budget has to be in the arena of no more than $6K. To have to get the tubs/Quadra-link/and exhaust done as well as re-weld the frame to the SFCs. Contacted Cris and trying to get time to call him. Sent him an email with no response yet

I'm also trying to find someone who has done the second gen before. I did contact folks like Iron works and have no experience with the DSE kits on the 70-81.I doubt your going to get all that done for $6k, especially in CA. Your gonna probably get quoted more like 8-10k plus any parts/materials. It is alot more involved install than a first gen quadralink.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

^ Cosigned...

not a whole lot you can get with 6K unless you do most of the work yourself.. you already have all the parts?

[badazz81z28]

^ Cosigned...

not a whole lot you can get with 6K unless you do most of the work yourself.. you already have all the parts?

I have all the parts, I just need labor. I'm talking with Cris, we are evaluating the situation. I like turning the wrenches, I want to do as much as I can.

[Vegas 69]

Quadralink is about 30-40 hours labor and the minis maybe another 16-20

The exhaust is all over. I've seen quotes from 500-2500

[FlyDoc]

Give me a call, I started a small shop currently doing a '70 SS chevelle that should be done with about February. then I will be taking it to the coast to be shipped to Hawaii. I could pick it up then. I'm near Ft. Hood TX.
Bryan
254-371-0327

[Bryan O]

IMHO, I think you should seriously reconsider your choice here. Best of Show Coachworks did my car. 30,000 miles and 3 1/2 years later and I'm still beating on it as a daily driver.

The old adage applies: "You get what you pay for".

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Good luck with your build !! Just want to say thanks to you for your service !!

[MuscleRodz]

Quadralink is about 30-40 hours labor and the minis maybe another 16-20

The exhaust is all over. I've seen quotes from 500-2500That maybe roughly what a first gen takes, but its short for a second gen

[badazz81z28]

I do know Detroit Speed quoted me a good shop should be able to do the tubs and quadra link in 60-80 hours. That included welding the brackets on the rearend which is already done in my case.

[badazz81z28]

I do know Detroit Speed quoted me a good shop should be able to do the tubs and quadra link in 60-80 hours. That included welding the brackets on the rearend which is already done in my case.



Btw, I do expect to be variances as some folks have more or less experience with DSEs stuff and folks add engineering over a basic install to make the set-up better

[Matt@BOS]

I think you will need to allocate a little more to the budget. I know it sucks to hear that it is more expensive than you want. However, with $75+ hourly rates in SoCal, and the cost of materials, and time to finish the little things involved with the job, costs can creep up. Once everything is installed it is going to need to be seam sealed and painted or undercoated to keep from rusting. Then with the exhaust you have to consider what type of steel you want to use, and if it needs to be coated, etc. Also, is it being routed out the back? that can take time to make all of the bends involved in getting out and over the quadralink.

I know, it is terrible. Cars just eat up money, and always more than we want it to be.

Matt

[badazz81z28]

I think you will need to allocate a little more to the budget. I know it sucks to hear that it is more expensive than you want. However, with $75+ hourly rates in SoCal, and the cost of materials, and time to finish the little things involved with the job, costs can creep up. Once everything is installed it is going to need to be seam sealed and painted or undercoated to keep from rusting. Then with the exhaust you have to consider what type of steel you want to use, and if it needs to be coated, etc. Also, is it being routed out the back? that can take time to make all of the bends involved in getting out and over the quadralink.

I know, it is terrible. Cars just eat up money, and always more than we want it to be.

Matt

Time will tell. I'm working out details with the potential builder. Those little things were discussed and being evaluated. I'm not really expecting someone to give me a completed car. I can do the little things, just need the parts installed cause i can't weld and fabricate

[KB Camaro]

call duane mayer (shop manager at Boyd Coddington's old shop) at american hot rods in Anaheim. they are a great shop and have super low labor/fab rates compared to most socal shops. my 67 camaro is there now getting completely redone. LSX, DSE subframe, rear end with 4 link, interior, paint and exhaust. Duane is very easy to work with and seems to know everyone in the industry so he's really connected. I"m actually going up there this Friday to pick up old parts if you want to meet me there for an introduction. PM if you want his cell.

[badazz81z28]

Thanks for all the inputs! I have contacted Cris at JCG and as a courtesy, Im going to see what his final word is before I further solicit. It's been a week though and my click is ticking down :( hoping to hear something soon

[Vegas 69]

Don't get too caught up on shop rates. It's all about the total installed cost not the hours and rate.

If a $75 an hour shop works twice a fast as a $45 an hour shop you spend less on the job.

The other issue I have is how do you the customer track hours spent in a shop? Answer is you can't so the only way is to get a fixed price for the job or your'e giving them a blank check.

The written work order needs to be detailed and specific on exactly what is included and what is not.

Do not proceed without a written contract. Do not pay out a bunch of money up front. If you're supplying all the parts then there should be ZERO up front deposit. Set milestones in the contract and pay progress payment when the milestones are achieved.

[badazz81z28]

Don't get too caught up on shop rates. It's all about the total installed cost not the hours and rate.

If a $75 an hour shop works twice a fast as a $45 an hour shop you spend less on the job.

The other issue I have is how do you the customer track hours spent in a shop? Answer is you can't so the only way is to get a fixed price for the job or your'e giving them a blank check.

The written work order needs to be detailed and specific on exactly what is included and what is not.

Do not proceed without a written contract. Do not pay out a bunch of money up front. If you're supplying all the parts then there should be ZERO up front deposit. Set milestones in the contract and pay progress payment when the milestones are achieved.

Totally agree, I try to not get caught up in the hourly rate but when someone says $120 an hour and can't give me a quote that scares me. I can't spend money I don't have (open wallet)...What do you do if a shop quotes you 50 hours at $100 an hour and you go pick up the car and its 75-100 hours? Im all about a up front eval and cost, or maybe a Worst Case cost