Got a quote from a local shop for turbo work...

[bmwfan1957]

So I went to a local shop here, Idaho Speed Center... it's a real nice place, which is good because it's really the only performance shop within the valley...

Anyway the quote i got is for a complete engine rebuild, port and polished head, ARP head studs, Cometic HG, the standalone that shop is familiar with is AEM, i would prefer Megasquirt but i'd rather them know their way around it... they themselves told me the standalone and engine rebuild were overkill, so i at least know they're honest... I have always had good encounters with them. I also got quoted a custom stage 2 turbo kit... Anyway, if you're interested take a look at the quote, it's an adobe file... and let me know what you think. I have nowhere else to go for comparison...

here's the quote...
http://www.geocities.com/bmxrider2304/E ... eed_Ce.pdf

their website is here...
http://www.idahospeed.com

EDIT: I'd also go check out their video's, the one about the hillclimb event has an E30 that they built with an in-car camera and is pretty neat... the car doesn't look anything special but they didn't build it for that... haha

[turbodan]

You would consider forking out sixteen thousand dollars for that?

Sounds a little high.

[bmwfan1957]

well... i don't think i'd do the rebuild of the engine... but i dunno... that's what i was thinking (that it's a little too high) because i went online and sourced all the parts and everything with a TCD kit and exhaust and also all the suspension parts and brakes... and i think it was approximately the same price, this doesn't include brakes, or suspension... but if it did then i could see doing it... but that's why i posted it here to get opinions! oh.... also it doesn't include a new clutch... which i think i added into my self made estimate... now if i had a second junker to drive i could even do all the work myself.... but i don't.

[T_C_D]

TCD-s2 $5125
TCD exhaust $699
UUC Clutch $449
Fuel Pump $135
MLS $209
Studs $229

Nothing custom, all guaranteed to work if installed as designed.

Todd

[bmwfan1957]

is $90.00 and hour expensive for this kind of work??? i just realized that a few months ago when there was another performance shop in the valley they only charged $75.00 an hour... and that was more expensive then any other automotive work i've ever had...

[T_C_D]

is $90.00 and hour expensive for this kind of work??? i just realized that a few months ago when there was another performance shop in the valley they only charged $75.00 an hour... and that was more expensive then any other automotive work i've ever had...

Totally depends on the location. $90 in Cali and NYC would be cheap. I charge $75 an hr.

Todd

[bmwfan1957]

TCD-s2 $5125
TCD exhaust $699
UUC Clutch $449
Fuel Pump $135
MLS $209
Studs $229

Nothing custom, all guaranteed to work if installed as designed.

Todd

wow a whole 10k cheaper.... hmmmm... now i don't know what to do with that extra cash i don't have in the first place!

i think that pretty much answers my question...

now to go outside and look under rocks for money. HA!

That is rediculous labor costs for what i could install on my own with enough time! I'll have to save that quote for laughs i guess.

[bmwfan1957]

of course then i'd be wanting the TCD valve covers! which i already do want... 8)

[navyandy]

well... i don't think i'd do the rebuild of the engine... but i dunno... that's what i was thinking (that it's a little too high) because i went online and sourced all the parts and everything with a TCD kit and exhaust and also all the suspension parts and brakes... and i think it was approximately the same price, this doesn't include brakes, or suspension... but if it did then i could see doing it... but that's why i posted it here to get opinions! oh.... also it doesn't include a new clutch... which i think i added into my self made estimate... now if i had a second junker to drive i could even do all the work myself.... but i don't.

I am no stranger to spending a ton of money on my car. I had a 327k mile car that I love and would never consider selling (lots of sentimental value). I have spent probably about as much as your estimate on rebuilding the whole car. But that doesn't mean I have thrown money away in an estimate like that. Personally I think TCD's kits are on the expensive side. The thing is, the market for our cars is not big enough to garnish the sales a big market kit provider would supply. There is no "bulk" discount and the cost of engineering and testing a quality kit for our cars is not a luxury we enjoy. That said, the work Todd and Co. at TCD has done is downright admirable and the cost once you consider these factors is much, much more reasonable than you might think. Take your estimate for example. TCD is an order of magnitude less expensive than that and you get a tried and true, tested platform. Vice a custom job that may or may not meet your expectations. Plus any decently competent shop could assist you in the installation for a very reasonable price. The cost of tuning and dyno time would still be way under the price of that estimate. Might leave you some milk money to do the suspension and brakes you have in your minds eye for the future. My 2c.

[M. Holtmeier]

TCD is an order of magnitude less expensive than that and you get a tried and true, tested platform. Vice a custom job that may or may not meet your expectations.

Their "cusom" turbo kit would probably be a TCD kit marked up $3k!

[wjones]

well... i don't think i'd do the rebuild of the engine... but i dunno... that's what i was thinking (that it's a little too high) because i went online and sourced all the parts and everything with a TCD kit and exhaust and also all the suspension parts and brakes... and i think it was approximately the same price, this doesn't include brakes, or suspension... but if it did then i could see doing it... but that's why i posted it here to get opinions! oh.... also it doesn't include a new clutch... which i think i added into my self made estimate... now if i had a second junker to drive i could even do all the work myself.... but i don't.

I am no stranger to spending a ton of money on my car. I had a 327k mile car that I love and would never consider selling (lots of sentimental value). I have spent probably about as much as your estimate on rebuilding the whole car. But that doesn't mean I have thrown money away in an estimate like that. Personally I think TCD's kits are on the expensive side. The thing is, the market for our cars is not big enough to garnish the sales a big market kit provider would supply. There is no "bulk" discount and the cost of engineering and testing a quality kit for our cars is not a luxury we enjoy. That said, the work Todd and Co. at TCD has done is downright admirable and the cost once you consider these factors is much, much more reasonable than you might think. Take your estimate for example. TCD is an order of magnitude less expensive than that and you get a tried and true, tested platform. Vice a custom job that may or may not meet your expectations. Plus any decently competent shop could assist you in the installation for a very reasonable price. The cost of tuning and dyno time would still be way under the price of that estimate. Might leave you some milk money to do the suspension and brakes you have in your minds eye for the future. My 2c.

I've looked at turbo charging an E36 and an E28. I really don't think the the TCD kits are expensive (for a BMW) if you look at the total value. I talked to Todd once because I was looking at buying a used turbo package from another source. He was very generous with his time. If I needed help with a package I bought from TCD it would have only been moreso.

Buying a package of parts is easy, especially for an Asian import car. Getting them all to work is the hard part. TCD is growing a business and having satisfied customers is in their best interest. Five grand (S2 package) for every nut and bolt you need plus getting it to work right is a real fair deal.

[bmwfan1957]

yeah i absolutely love the TCD kit... i would want nothing less for my car... just thought i would do a direct comparison for what is availiable in Idaho.... and now i am very satisfied knowing there is nothing better than TCD, in either price or quality...

[Wiseguy]

You're better off taking the car to Todd at TCD and flying home.

It would not only cost less, but there's a rumor that Todd has some experience in installing these kits.

[chrism]

M/C Visa and Discover accepted. Get in debt like the rest of America.

wow a whole 10k cheaper.... hmmmm... now i don't know what to do with that extra cash i don't have in the first place!

[Duke]

You're better off taking the car to Todd at TCD and flying home.

....................................... Let us know how that works out for you.

And BTW - TCD charged me over $8200 for engine R&R and rebuild (+ I had to fly out to TCD's to personally fix damage that occurred during the R&R in order to get the car running), your shop quoted you $5350 for the same. Your shop is looking very good as far as those services go.

BOTTOM LINE - does your shop offer a warranty on their work? Ask, I did not ...........life lesson learned.

[chrism]

And your car ran the best of its short lives when it left TCD. Not untill your ego got to the laptop and dumped Todd's maps did it again head downhill.

Let it go dude. You bit off a huge block more than you could chew without having any teeth. I'd like to see you find a shop that warrenties against neglegence.

You're better off taking the car to Todd at TCD and flying home.

....................................... Let us know how that works out for you.

And BTW - TCD charged me over $8200 for engine R&R and rebuild, your shop quoted you $5350 for the same. Your shop is looking very good as far as those services go.

BOTTOM LINE - does your shop offer a warranty on their work? Ask, I did not ...........life lesson learned.

[Duke]

Let it go dude. You bit off a huge block more than you could chew without having any teeth. I'd like to see you find a shop that warrenties against neglegence.

I'd like to see you learn how to spell Jackass (of the TCDJG).

Not biting.

bmwfan1957 can ask me questing if he feels the need. I am just posting pure facts, thats all.

[bmwfan1957]

You're better off taking the car to Todd at TCD and flying home.

....................................... Let us know how that works out for you.

And BTW - TCD charged me over $8200 for engine R&R and rebuild (+ I had to fly out to TCD's to personally fix damage that occurred during the R&R in order to get the car running), your shop quoted you $5350 for the same. Your shop is looking very good as far as those services go.

BOTTOM LINE - does your shop offer a warranty on their work? Ask, I did not ...........life lesson learned.

Yeah i actually was quite impressed with the price they quoted on the engine rebuild and will probably have that done here... although as far as the turbo kit goes i think it may be best to get a TCD kit and install it myself... would save me a lot on labor... and then i have a friend starting up his own shop that could tune it nicely for me... either way TCD is my turbo kit of choice.

[wkohler]

Weren't you recently saying you had no money?

[bmwfan1957]

Weren't you recently saying you had no money?

Yes sir i was and this is actually still the case.... doesn't mean i can't find out what my future plans are though!

I decided that since the dynamics have changed a bit on this board and there are useless and annoying arguements to keep my conversations strictly to my e28...

But to further answer your question I am very poor... haven't been able to pay my rent this month, face eviction, and worry about that every day... I am currently going to start working 1 full time job, 1 part time with Primerica, 1 Internship in the Information Technology field and also go back to technical school to get my Cisco Certified Networking Associate (which i already am trained for, just have to take the test,) and Microsoft Certified Desktop Service Technician certifications... also am looking at writing up a business plan and starting a company building desktop/server computers as well as maintaining servers for companies...

so, hopefully i will solve my money issues and be able to have fun again soon... i am only 21 and have made many stupid mistakes with finances in my adolecence...

but to know how much this project is going to cost me, where i'm getting the work done, and where to source the parts just leaves saving money... so i still have plenty to do as far as planning...

[wkohler]

Planning is fine. I just wanted to know if you were planning on doing this in the very near future, what with a limited cashflow and all. Good to hear that isn't the case.

[bmwfan1957]

the only way i'd do it all in one shot anytime soon at all is if me and my friend actually get a good business plan/business loan and i get completely caught up and have any extra cash... but even then i would do it with the extra from each paycheck.... that way i can be excited every month when i recieve a new part! haha

[russc]

That quote is actually pretty much what I thought it would be if it was a shop in CA. I don't see alot of fluf in that quote. These guys are in business to make money, not go broke. At $90/hr, thats OK, the dealer charges $150! You wont find a shop to do all that work for ALOT less, not even TCD. Todd would charge ~$12k to do all that work, even with his $75/hr and MS SEM.

RussC

[bmwfan1957]

That quote is actually pretty much what I thought it would be if it was a shop in CA. I don't see alot of fluf in that quote. These guys are in business to make money, not go broke. At $90/hr, thats OK, the dealer charges $150! You wont find a shop to do all that work for ALOT less, not even TCD. Todd would charge ~$12k to do all that work, even with his $75/hr and MS SEM.

RussC

That's very true... and i know this as well... but since i am cabable of doing pretty much everything myself except welding i hate the idea of spending that much on labor... if i could weld i could save at least half that... and I LOVE working on cars too...

then i could make myself a real nice tubular manifold...

[rundatrack]

Weren't you recently saying you had no money?

Yes sir i was and this is actually still the case.... doesn't mean i can't find out what my future plans are though!

I decided that since the dynamics have changed a bit on this board and there are useless and annoying arguements to keep my conversations strictly to my e28...

But to further answer your question I am very poor... haven't been able to pay my rent this month, face eviction, and worry about that every day... I am currently going to start working 1 full time job, 1 part time with Primerica, 1 Internship in the Information Technology field and also go back to technical school to get my Cisco Certified Networking Associate (which i already am trained for, just have to take the test,) and Microsoft Certified Desktop Service Technician certifications... also am looking at writing up a business plan and starting a company building desktop/server computers as well as maintaining servers for companies...

so, hopefully i will solve my money issues and be able to have fun again soon... i am only 21 and have made many stupid mistakes with finances in my adolecence...

but to know how much this project is going to cost me, where i'm getting the work done, and where to source the parts just leaves saving money... so i still have plenty to do as far as planning...

Dont do the building of computers/servers... the markup isnt there anymore. Buy dell/hp computers/servers and configure them for you clients and maintain...

The building computers ship has left since 1999....


MSCE and CCNA are good...I have both....

You should be able to find tech work soon...just blow enough stuff up at your house and that can equate to years of experience

Good luck

[bmwfan1957]

Dont do the building of computers/servers... the markup isnt there anymore. Buy dell/hp computers/servers and configure them for you clients and maintain...

The building computers ship has left since 1999....


MSCE and CCNA are good...I have both....

You should be able to find tech work soon...just blow enough stuff up at your house and that can equate to years of experience

Good luck

I really need to pass my CCNA soon... i took the classes in high school and i hear the test is changing soon...

and i have money on the way for my MCDST classes.

[navyandy]

Dont do the building of computers/servers... the markup isnt there anymore. Buy dell/hp computers/servers and configure them for you clients and maintain...

The building computers ship has left since 1999....


MSCE and CCNA are good...I have both....

You should be able to find tech work soon...just blow enough stuff up at your house and that can equate to years of experience

Good luck

I really need to pass my CCNA soon... i took the classes in high school and i hear the test is changing soon...

and i have money on the way for my MCDST classes.

When I first took the test it was a glorified "do you know tcp/ip networking and how to configure a Cisco network device running IOS". When I had to renew my CCNA almost two years ago the test had gotten much harder to include topics such as VLANS, low level routing protocols (like OSPF, RIP, etc.) and ATM (hope this goes away since it was a fad of mostly Cisco fame cerca 1999) which made the test much harder. Given this keeps the stature of the certification at a competitive level, but it raises the bar for newcomers. If they are revising the test to bring the level of knowledge up to todays enterprise enviorments, jump on it. It is the BASIS of a good certification resume.

Another thing to consider is while the A+ might be regarded as a joke, Security+ and Networking+ are EASY to obtain and pad your resume nicely for someone attempting to get work in the IT field. I got both in 3 weeks easily (granted I am a professional).

Bottom line, go to school and get *or* be working on a genuine degree in the field. Managers would rather hire someone with certs and experience working toward a degree than someone who got a few certs and is resting on their laurels.

Besides, building and owning a turbo bmw is not for someone with a $7.75/hr job. Improve your condition in life and the boost will follow.

[bmwfan1957]

Improve your condition in life and the boost will follow.

And that is EXACTLY what i'm looking to do!

And yes eventually when it's something i can realisticly do i'll go back to school for a degree... luckily for me in the area i live in... Boise, Idaho that is... Employers don't look for that quite as much as in other areas... there is A LOT of technical work availiable around here and since it is one of the best places in the country to start one's own business I am looking at starting a web server company... which i have enough knowledge to do easily and at my leisure... i also enjoy computer work... i find it relaxing.