How long does a custom manifold back dual exhaust system take to bend & install?

[Pyrotechnic]

That's total BS that they couldn't give you an estimate. Yeah, maybe they aren't an exhaust shop but if they are doing exhaust work it's obviously not their first rodeo. It's an exhaust for an old truck, not a Ferrari Enzo. They should have been able to agree upon a base price, then notify you if anything else was screwed up (pipes welded to manifold hack job, etc) that would take more time.

I know most shops mark up the tips, mufflers, and pipe and make some of their profit off these items. If you show up with your own stuff you scored cheap, you are under cutting them...or at least that's how they see it. I've heard of shops gouging because of customer supplied materials.

Also seen cases where you ask for a specific model of muffler (Flowmaster and Magnaflow alone have about a billion different models and sub models) and they don't have that one in stock, they just substitute something close or more common. Think about it, you are there, and ready to pay, why would they go through the hassle of ordering one and making you wait when they could just take your cash that day?

As you can see I don't hold most exhaust shops in high regard either. I'd rather rent or borrow some lift time, bring my welder and a pre-bent mail order system and have at it.

[motornut]

took Speedy over 24 hours $600,pipe+labour
restudded manifolds there too $100
I supplied the mufflers too
not much pipe either it's out before the rear wheels
total bout $1000
thought i posted already here...
but thats less that what i paid and it's stainless

[Rich84]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

I know most shops mark up the tips, mufflers, and pipe and make some of their profit off these items. If you show up with your own stuff you scored cheap, you are under cutting them...or at least that's how they see it. I've heard of shops gouging because of customer supplied materials.

This statement is the absolute truth in my opinion..Any project that is labor intense is a gamble for a contractor, or in this case a mechanic. The only money that I know I will make on a project is the markup on materials. The labor is an estimate, and if one thing goes wrong profit goes out the window.