Sending back my bolt on Y-pipe. Was thinking of just buying 2 new cats for about $110 each ($220 total) and estimated the cost to have a shop cut out the old cats and weld in the new cats would be about $180-200. That would put me at a total cost of about $390-$420.

I contacted my first local shop and sent them pics of what I wanted done and the quote of $1000 came back for parts and labor.

Since it was my first quote, my jaw dropped. So, can anyone tell me if this is the norm, or what should an average shop charge to cut and weld in new cats?

This is what I sent them https://discoweb.org/cats.htm

I asked the welding teacher at my school and he thought $200 was the norm as well. Thoughts?

Thanks!
Jamie

 

Your estimate of couple hundred just to replace 2 cats is fair, (maybe $250 just to make them happy & they do nice clean welds), but the $1000 they quoted you is just funny,!!
What kind of shop was it,? Why don't you try a privately owned muffler shop, they should be more fair,,,
(The pictures you posted makes it look very complicated, maybe that was reason for high price,,) replacing each cat shouldn't take more than 40-45 min,, 2 hours tops for both,,

 

I contacted a local shop, labeled as a performance muffler shop owned by a local guy who stands by his work. I just wanted to start close to home. I'll look around to other shops.

thanks!
Jamie

 

OK, finally got a "reasonable" shop with a good reputation who quoted $65 a cat to weld in and if he has to drop the pipe a bit to weld on top, it'll be a little more. He said $135 plus whatever extra to get access to a good weld.

I feel better now. :-)

 

That's more like it,, he seems honest & very reasonable,, I would even offer him a little more & ask him to do a perfect job,,

 

First guy and I chatted a bit more and his policy is he only will install his own parts. He wanted $299 per cat ($600) and $400 labor. I was later told this guy is more a performance muffler guy and the only game in town, and he wants to stick to top-notch work. That's all fine and good. Just not what I need. So, next town over are lots of muffler shops. Life is good again. :-)