lol Aim is right. A group of these forum guys could make a killing in Maine.

 

HAHA if I opened a shop and was king in town, it wouldn't say much for mechanics across Maine lol. But seriouslly, there are just a lot of losers I run into. Some guys do really great work and have great prices. Other places, my god, just pathetic, and cost me so much money. They don't deserve the privledge to work on my truck lol. I can't wait to get that sears kit. How long do you think it'd take to do that plenum job? Also, should I go with the Hughes or APS kit?

 

APS kit. And since it's your first time It'll probably take you about 12 hours, so either get up early or allocate yourself two days to do it.

 

Here is my only concern. I was reading over the DIY plenum replacement guide. And, a lot of the steps are under the assumption the person reading already knows themselves around an engine. I really would have a hard time finding everything he refers to. Is there something I could have to look at and see what he's talking about when referring to other parts? Is this where a Chilton or Haynes manual would come into handy? I just would never be able to follow that DIY guide for the plenum because I don't even know where half the stuff is that it refers for me to take off ya know? It's defiantly something I'd like to do. How much money do you think I'd save to do that myself? Also, would a sears kit cover everything I'd need for that job??

 

http://www.alldata.com/vehicle_owner/index.jsp

cant go wrong with alldata .. 99% of shops use alldata for lookup , pricing , and how things are put toghter , and labor rates , so get an idea ....

 

Labor on the intake is around 3 hrs book time.
so 3x door rate (probably 75-100 hr) plus you wont pay markup on parts or shop supplies or tax on the whole deal.
You could easily save $300 on the job by doing it your self but this probably isn't the best job to start on if you've never done any mechanical work before.
I'm not saying you can't do it but starting with some easier jobs (oil change, tire rotation, serp belt, spark plugs) would probably be better till you get a bit more experience and confidence.

Any chance you got a buddy with skills to help / watch over you while you do it?

 

Sure wish I did. Put it this way...all of my friends CALL ME for all of their vehicle customization inquiries lol. I think I'm pretty good at knowing what looks good, and sounds good...but I'm very weak other than that. I agree, I'd like to build some confidence with mini jobs like that. I just don't want to wait to long on the plenum if it is infact leaking on me. Would explain why I had 12.5 in August, and now I have 9mpg.

 

75 -100 per hour ? OUCH !!!! we charge 55-60 hr. plus mark up on parts ??? lets say wipers cost 17.00 bux , but i get at my cost 14.00 , where is the mark up ?? you can only charge so much....also if a job takes 2 hrs and you do it in a 1 1/2 and another job calls for 30 min but takes you an hour how do you charge ???

 

I've contemplated how difficult the plenum would be for me. I can take off the throttle body in about 10 min, changed the spark plugs in about 10 (the one by the master brake cylinder is a toughy), but the ball joint thing wooped me. Once I go the right kit, however, it only took me about 2 hours. I pulled out the dash and installed my Panasonic deck in about 30 minutes, had to rewire a bunch of the old wires cause the previous owner broke everything and jimmy rigged a JVC deck in there. Beside the stereo, the rest were first times.

 

25 pages! Good nite! Ok so I just can't seem to bring myself to read all of it. Would anyone mind just writing 'yes' or 'no' as to whether or not the tranny is taken care of?