I searched around the forum, and it seems like people are paying about $40-50 to get a high-flow cat welded onto their car.

I called around locally, and everyone seems to want $70-100, and that'* IF they'll even use my parts. About half of the shops question why I'd even want a cat on my car!

The best place I called initially said $100 installed for a Magnaflow, or $30 labor. Sweet, right? Well, I walked in today to see what model they would use, and perhaps get it done, and suddenly it'* $150 for parts and labor, or $40-70 for labor alone! When I told them what I'd been quoted earlier, they reduced it to $130 for parts and labor. I guess phone quotes aren't worth much anymore...

So seriously, where are you guys getting yours welded on for $40-50?

I hate to go back to these guys, but so far, they're still my best local quote.

people are paying 40-50 in labor alone.. get your cat off ebay for 40 and then go to the shop and have it installed for the quoted 40-70

It was 25 here at a ghetto shop, but they keep the old cat.

it only takes 20 minutes to install.

Avoid the chains, go to the mom and pop muffler shops

Very good advice, you have a little room to work them down on price....usually

Ed

Not much choice there. Most chains I called won't touch customer parts.

Most of the mom 'n pop places around here won't give me a simple quote. It'* either labor by the hour (scary), or they won't even guess until it'* up on their hoist. Annoying as heck.

I suppose I'll bite the bullet and go back to the shop with the magical changing quotes. It'* just not the first time they've done this to me, and I don't really like their attitude, anyway. Their motto could be "Relatively cheap auto repair, with a heaping dose of condescension and attitude!" or "Who needs professionalism?"

I've searched the threads and I know pretty well what fits. Is the Magnaflow 94006 or the 91006 the current hi-flow of choice? I'm leaning towards the larger 94006 since it'll be closer to the stock size, and I'd rather it was a bit more quiet than fast.

I would let a shop put it up on a lift to give you a quote (that’* what I did). Just because you let them look at doesn’t mean your locking the deal in. If I was going to work on someone’* car I would want to see what I have to work with before hand too. Let them know you are shopping around and would like a quote from them. Chances are they will give you a better price if they know you are/have been looking around.

As for the size of that cat… A 3” cat is not going to be much if any louder then a 2.5” cat. IMO I say a highflow cat makes your exhaust tone deeper, slightly louder on a OEM exhaust system.

Ed

I had it on one lift already yesterday. I may get it on a few more tomorrow. It'* just a lot of time and gas to actually drive around getting quotes. Not unreasonable, I guess, but annoying to me.

As for the size of the cat, I meant the length/capacity. Pipe diameter is the same between them @ 2.5.

I had a Midas install the cat on my 93 for about $80 labor. Its on the high end, but thats the going price around here.

Thanks. I'll feel less screwed now.

I was under the car changing the oil today, so I measured where my cat was at one time. Looks like about 16", same length as a 94006. So... hopefully I can get one put in for more like the $40 vs. the $70, since there shouldn't be any need for additional pipe.

Of course, I neglected to measure diameter while I was down there. Pretty sure it'* 3.5", being an SSE, but I'll have to be sure before I buy.

Yeah if that is a diesel SSE :P . Otherwise I think it should be 2.25"