way too much. SHops tend to go step by step and remove things like the intercooler and turbo and what not which takes a long a$$ time and runs up the labor cost. Its not that hard to do, so unless a shop will give you a good deal(something you feel comfortable paying) then i say just go for it yourself. It is a pain but you stand to save yourself some serious money.

 

I paid 5 hours labour to a local shop here. The shop had never seen a WRX before. They also tapped the Manifold for my EGT gauge at the same time though so that might have added some cost.

 

I don't know where you're located, but I had the guys down at Vishnu install their 321 up-pipe in mine for 525 dollars(includes up-pipe, gaskets, all hardware, labor, and cel fix). That was a little while ago so they may be able to do it cheaper now.

 

I did mine "by the book"...it took 5.5 hours and was a pain. Now I know the shortcuts and we can do one in about 2 hours. As a yardstick, in SoCal...with the cel fix (no big deal), you supply the uppipe and gaskets, the charge is about $95 to $120 for the reputable local shadetree guys to do it.

If you do it yourself, it's easier if you do take the TMIC off, and simply unbolt the pass. side motor mount and jack up the motor to pull out/install the uppipe. Also, you DO NOT need to drain the coolant or remove the turbo like many of the instructions want you to do. Just use the proper torque specs and take your time...and buy a O2 socket, get some extra bolts for the downpipe to exhaust pipe connection (the ones with the springs always break) and extra studs and nuts for the up/down pipes (just in case).

 

$525?!?!? Granted that it "was a little while ago," that's still an arm right there!

Take it to Gruppe-S or GB Motorsport and get it done for much cheaper.

 

I believe Gruppe-S will do it for $150 (not including parts).

 

I've seen quotes for uppipe alone of ~$200.

I had Nate and Joe (with Tony turning the wrenches) at Subaru Specialists in Sacramento install an upipe and also a complete TBE system for me while I waited (~3+hr) 2 days ago and cost with tax for whole thing was a very reasonable $313.

I HIGHLY recommend Subaru Specialists for their great service AND they have WiFi available while you wait AND I had one of the best cheese steaks I've ever had from the Burger Barn just across the street! That alone was worth the drive to SAC.

The uppipe is buried way down in there. Probably a lot easier to do if you have a lift and the right tools and have done it before.

Mods should be fun. Spend time doing fun/easy mods and leave the more involved ones to people that are real mechanics. Not only will you enjoy it more, but you're less likely to break something and really cost yourself some big bucks.

When you go to a real mechanic (that you are paying for with real money) you also get the benefit of being able to talk with them and learn from their advice and experience. But remember, advice is usually worth what you pay for it!

 

best way to save money is to do it yourslef with a bunch of buddies or find a local "subaru" guys who will do it for cheap . . .

 

SpeedRacerX, can you (either here or by direct e-mail). Give me a quick step by step of your easier way to do the up pipe? I plan on doing this soon to my F-XT with a Cobb up pipe. I'm sort of dreading doing it. I will do a proper scoobymods page though. Any info as a heads up would be appreciated. I also need to know where to get a good set of gaskets.
TIA

 

i got my helix up installed for 90 bucks.....it took 3 hours

 

where did you get that price for install?

 

Finally made a page for my install:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5157