Supercharger install labor hours

2kewl · Mar 21, 2007

So I'm getting a quote on a Vortech and am somewhat surprised when they say 22 hours to install. Should I be? Seems like a long time plus it translates to 3-4 no vehicle days.

KY_BOB · Mar 21, 2007

2kewl said:
So I'm getting? a quote on a Vortech and am somewhat surprised when they say 22 hours to install.? Should I be?? Seems like a long time plus it translates to 3-4 no vehicle days.

HELL YEA, you should be shocked.

I did mine in 12-14 hours with no experience on such a job. I was overly cautious because I was scared to screw something up. I would read one step, preform it and even put my tools up before reading the next step in the instructions. I think could do another one in 8-10 hours.

BTW, The instructions are very detailed and easy to understand with a lot of pictures. It's not a hard job.

2kewl · Mar 22, 2007

Hey, thanks for the tip! I told 'em I'd been looking around and quoted your numbers. They knocked it down to 15 hrs on the quote so they can't charge for more than that. Sales guy said the tech still figures it'll take waaay longer. Now I'm wondering if I got raped on the lift they did.

stingray502 · Mar 22, 2007

Do you know if this is the first one on an AV that they have done? I have never met KY BOB personally but I have found a lot of his information in other post has been accurate. You better shop around. Don't worry about the price ou paid for the lift, it is done and as long as you are enjoying it.

FlaBouy · Mar 22, 2007

stingray502 said:
Do you know if this is the first one on an AV that they have done? I have never met KY BOB personally but I have found a lot of his information in other post has been accurate. You better shop around. Don't worry about the price ou paid for the lift, it is done and as long as you are enjoying it.

An Intercooled Vortech on our tucks should be a 10-12 hour install for a average shade tree mechanic working at home without a lift, pneumatics, etc.

An experienced shop should be ready to dyno within 8-10 hours after letting the truck cool off and going to work. Hell, my guy in Orlando tore the top off my motor, including the Vortech and radiator, and installed heads, cam, blueprinted oil pump, new timing chain, rockers, lifters and put it all back in 15 working hours ready for tune and dyno.....

I say the 22 hrs tells you he has not done one before, and after checking around, has covered his behind with 15 hours to install and tune truck..... If the 15 hours include the dyno and tune, I would be satisfied with the estimate.... if that is just install time, find someone else......

My .02 cents...

KY_BOB · Mar 22, 2007

I wasn't thinking about tuning. If that's including a custom tune, 15 hours would be fair. Even that's a little much if they are just going to flash in the Superchips tune.

I was also thinking about the non-intercooled Vortech. If your going with the intercooled version, that would add some time to it.

Sales guy said the tech still figures it'll take waaay longer. Now I'm wondering if I got raped on the lift they did.

It almost sounds to me like he is a little scared of the install. Even if they haven't done one on a AV are you sure that they have installed a Vortech on something?

trannyman · Mar 22, 2007

Is that 22 hours Canadian or American

That seems extremely excessive to me and I've never installed a Vortech. My Whipple was done in less than 8. If it it something you are serious about I would look for a different place to do the work.

MyBigToy · Mar 22, 2007

I know it's not a Vortech but an experienced installer can do a Magnacharger in 8 hours. My shop took about 12 hours and it was the first truck they had done.

2kewl · Mar 25, 2007

It's a first time install on an AV but I think he's done jeeps. Post intall tune didn't enter the conversation. I dunno, I'm starting to get cold feet with these guys even though they're 4x4 specialists.

KY_BOB · Mar 25, 2007

2kewl said:
It's a first time install on an AV but I think he's done jeeps.? Post intall tune didn't enter the conversation.? I dunno, I'm starting to get cold feet with these guys even though they're 4x4 specialists.?

You may need to look around for a performance shop rather than a 4x4 shop for this install.

trannyman · Mar 25, 2007

KY_BOB said:
You may need to look around for a performance shop rather than a 4x4 shop for this install.

What Bob said

dhpro · Mar 26, 2007

2kewl said:
It's a first time install on an AV but I think he's done jeeps.? Post intall tune didn't enter the conversation.? I dunno, I'm starting to get cold feet with these guys even though they're 4x4 specialists.?

Look around...there are plenty of good shops in Calgary...Westers is there and they can definately point u in the right direction. The maggie comes with a great tune that u can load up urself in 10mins with the supplied unit. Dyno is nice and u can get it included in the install, but I'd say 2hrs of dyno time wud be alot even if they were tweaking ur tune. R/

tbyrne · Mar 26, 2007

I'd say about 12 hours for that Vortech kit. Maybe 14 if they are taking their time and making sure everything is perfect. 22 is waaaaayyyyyyy to long! That's a one handed install!

Armageddon · Mar 28, 2007

tbyrne said:
I'd say about 12 hours for that Vortech kit. Maybe 14 if they are taking their time and making sure everything is perfect. 22 is waaaaayyyyyyy to long! That's a one handed install!

They're factoring in lunch break, after they go home, and come back in the morning to finish :laugh:

ChevyThunder · Mar 28, 2007

2kewl said:
It's a first time install on an AV but I think he's done jeeps. Post intall tune didn't enter the conversation. I dunno, I'm starting to get cold feet with these guys even though they're 4x4 specialists.

Go to a place you will feel comfortbale with from the get go. This is a nice chunk of change to spend on a shop that you're not quite sure about. Good luck with your decision.