How long should it take an experienced mechanic to install some high-flow cats? 30-60minutes tops?

 

it shouldn't take that long...i had mine... and it took about 30 mins....

 

With a lift and air tools...about 15 min.

With a floor jack and hand tools...about 30-45 min.

 

Hand tools, get a breaker bar w/18" extension, 1 wobbler and a 14mm deep socket.45 mins is about right.

 

Yeah man hit the manifold bolts with an impact and knock them off quick, just use some penetrating oil. Do it yourself don't friggin pay someone to install cats. I say in the driveway you can do them in 30-45min only because these cars are a bitch to jack up.

 

I installed my first set of cats myself. Before then, the only stuff I had ever done to *any* car was install the ztube and my front springs/struts. So I am a complete novice, and it takes me forever to do anything.

With my car on jackstands, it took me about 4 hours clock time to do the install myself, including a couple of smoke/drink breaks (in the middle of an Alabama summer's heat). One reason it took so long was to break loose the bolts from the stock cats to the ypipe. After that, I had to use a series of extensions, through the engine compartment, to get to the bolts on the exhaust manifolds. It took me nearly 20 minutes to break lose those bolts for each cat.

If you do it yourself, it requires the right tools. Like the previous guy said, get a breaker bar and some extensions.

 

i had it installed at my friend's shop, so he didn't charge me for full labor, but the mechanic took little over an hour. i had a CEL, so i had to go back next day, but they took care of it.

 

yeah it will take you 2-4 hours your first time. Its just a pain to get at the bolts connecting the cats to the headers. And like WTN1Db said, get a 18" or 2-12" extensions, because your gonna need to access one of the bolts through the engine bay. I might also add that you might need to pound the heat shields flat to prevent rattling, i did with my test pipes, anyways..goodluck