How much should I expect to pay in terms of labour?

[Amuse370z]

Invidia Gemini CBE
Y-Pipe
Test Pipe

Painting and installation of roof and Amuse body kit.
Changing wheels.
Fairlady emblem (lol)

I plan on doing all these things at the same time. Would a tune be necessary? If so, what is the typical charge for that?

[TongMan]

If you're lazy, look about +/- $1000. Best way to know is to drop by a body shop and have them write you an estimate.

[Amuse370z]

I have absolutely no experience in installing bodykits, CBEs, etc. I'll feel more comfortable knowing that it was installed professionally too. $1000 sounds pretty steep though.

One more question, how close to the shade of white can they paint the Amuse kit? I've always had black cars so this hasn't been an issue for me, but I have noticed white cars don't usually have the colours matched 100%, the shade of white might be a little off?

[Vegitto-kun]

Originally Posted by Amuse370z

I have absolutely no experience in installing bodykits, CBEs, etc. I'll feel more comfortable knowing that it was installed professionally too. $1000 sounds pretty steep though.

One more question, how close to the shade of white can they paint the Amuse kit? I've always had black cars so this hasn't been an issue for me, but I have noticed white cars don't usually have the colours matched 100%, the shade of white might be a little off?

depends on how good the shop is.

The guy that is going to repaint my car pearl white has repainted the bumpers of several GT-Rs because the pearl white on the GT-Rs have MAJOR color differences on the bumpers. something to do with nissan not using white primer or too thin or something. I know he can paint it without color differences.

[Amuse370z]

Wow, this is making me nervous. Even stock nissan GT-Rs have colour differences.

[Jamaica]

Let's go with less then 500. 1000 is too steep

[bullitt5897]

Originally Posted by Vegitto-kun

depends on how good the shop is.

The guy that is going to repaint my car pearl white has repainted the bumpers of several GT-Rs because the pearl white on the GT-Rs have MAJOR color differences on the bumpers. something to do with nissan not using white primer or too thin or something. I know he can paint it without color differences.

its strickly due to the flake... too much flake equals darker... too light of flake equals too bright. simple as that.

[bullitt5897]

-Invidia Gemini CBE (2-3 hrs of labor) $250~$350
Y-Pipe
Test Pipe

-Painting and installation of roof and Amuse body kit. (a good shop will be about $1500 or more for a show finish) $1000~$1500
-Changing wheels. (rotating wheels? did you buy new ones?) $75~$150
-Fairlady emblem (.5 hrs of labor) $50~$75

[SeeyaBud86]

Do the Fairlady emblem by yourself its very easy.

Clean bumper with alcohol
Wipe down
Put emblem on
(The way it comes makes it easy to install. It comes in a blue styrofoam cut-out that you just put in between the tail light and the top of the rear bumper and its lined up perfectly.)

Its very very easy and it will save you some cash.

[370Z JT]

Lol at paying somebody to install emblems.

[Amuse370z]

Yea I'll do the emblems myself haha.

I'm actually very surprised at the cost of the paint job. What is the "show finish" you are talking about? I mean if I'm paying for it to be professionally painted, shouldn't the paint job match regardless and not charge me more for a better finish?

I forgot, the GT-R start button and rear fog lights as well.

[Scribe]

Now is a great time to start turning a wrench by yourself. The advantage is that you are not doing anything critical with the exhaust system and it is as simple as turning a couple bolts. I know, I just installed my cat back, which you can read about here. The same is true with the badge, which I also covered in part one of the project.

I'm not sure that the links will be allowed since I'm not a site sponsor so AK, if you're reading this and don't want to allow it, I'm just trying to help the guy out. Would it be possible to paste the pertinent portion of the article if not? Thanks.

Paint and body is better left to the professionals. A good shop will blend the flake, or 'color match' so that the human eye can't detect a transition in color. That is the proper technique and you should avoid any shop that doesn't bring up this step (especially on a metallic flake paint job). It will add a little cost because the fenders and hood will be prepped and sprayed as well in order to produce the proper fade.

The question is really whether you ever plan on turning a wrench on your car. Once the bolt-ons are done, you won't have many opportunities to do simple tasks such as these. If you aren't comfortable with something as simple as installing a cat-back exhaust, you will not be comfortable tackling something more complex.

Performing modifications (even easier ones) builds your confidence and starting simple sets you up for success. Some people like the idea of having someone else do it for various reasons. One of those reasons is that it something is wrong, it's someone else's problem. For something complex, like paint, I encourage you to seek professional services. For something like an exhaust, there isn't much to go wrong. If the exhaust sections aren't bolted tight enough and there is an exhaust leak, you will be able to tell immediately and reach down and tighten the bolt.

And you can't say that you need a lift; The exhaust on my Z was installed in a two car garage (which is half occupied by a '66 Mustang project) using nothing but hand tools and some ramps. As for the badge, you won't even have to remove the stock one since your new bumper won't have a badge.

I hope this helps you out in some way, whether it encourages you to do some work yourself or just give you an idea what to look for in a shop for painting your kit.

[Amuse370z]

Originally Posted by Scribe

Now is a great time to start turning a wrench by yourself. The advantage is that you are not doing anything critical with the exhaust system and it is as simple as turning a couple bolts. I know, I just installed my cat back, which you can read about here. The same is true with the badge, which I also covered in part one of the project.

I'm not sure that the links will be allowed since I'm not a site sponsor so AK, if you're reading this and don't want to allow it, I'm just trying to help the guy out. Would it be possible to paste the pertinent portion of the article if not? Thanks.

Paint and body is better left to the professionals. A good shop will blend the flake, or 'color match' so that the human eye can't detect a transition in color. That is the proper technique and you should avoid any shop that doesn't bring up this step (especially on a metallic flake paint job). It will add a little cost because the fenders and hood will be prepped and sprayed as well in order to produce the proper fade.

The question is really whether you ever plan on turning a wrench on your car. Once the bolt-ons are done, you won't have many opportunities to do simple tasks such as these. If you aren't comfortable with something as simple as installing a cat-back exhaust, you will not be comfortable tackling something more complex.

Performing modifications (even easier ones) builds your confidence and starting simple sets you up for success. Some people like the idea of having someone else do it for various reasons. One of those reasons is that it something is wrong, it's someone else's problem. For something complex, like paint, I encourage you to seek professional services. For something like an exhaust, there isn't much to go wrong. If the exhaust sections aren't bolted tight enough and there is an exhaust leak, you will be able to tell immediately and reach down and tighten the bolt.

And you can't say that you need a lift; The exhaust on my Z was installed in a two car garage (which is half occupied by a '66 Mustang project) using nothing but hand tools and some ramps. As for the badge, you won't even have to remove the stock one since your new bumper won't have a badge.

I hope this helps you out in some way, whether it encourages you to do some work yourself or just give you an idea what to look for in a shop for painting your kit.

Wow, fantastic links! I'll read them in a second, i can see why the Fairlady emblem is said to be easy to install, it comes with the blue foam which sorta guides where it should go on, can't say the same for my 200Turbo genesis emblem.

I'll highly consider tackling the job myself, I do need a way to get the car up, however.

[Amuse370z]

Originally Posted by Scribe

Now is a great time to start turning a wrench by yourself. The advantage is that you are not doing anything critical with the exhaust system and it is as simple as turning a couple bolts. I know, I just installed my cat back, which you can read about here. The same is true with the badge, which I also covered in part one of the project.

I'm not sure that the links will be allowed since I'm not a site sponsor so AK, if you're reading this and don't want to allow it, I'm just trying to help the guy out. Would it be possible to paste the pertinent portion of the article if not? Thanks.

Paint and body is better left to the professionals. A good shop will blend the flake, or 'color match' so that the human eye can't detect a transition in color. That is the proper technique and you should avoid any shop that doesn't bring up this step (especially on a metallic flake paint job). It will add a little cost because the fenders and hood will be prepped and sprayed as well in order to produce the proper fade.

The question is really whether you ever plan on turning a wrench on your car. Once the bolt-ons are done, you won't have many opportunities to do simple tasks such as these. If you aren't comfortable with something as simple as installing a cat-back exhaust, you will not be comfortable tackling something more complex.

Performing modifications (even easier ones) builds your confidence and starting simple sets you up for success. Some people like the idea of having someone else do it for various reasons. One of those reasons is that it something is wrong, it's someone else's problem. For something complex, like paint, I encourage you to seek professional services. For something like an exhaust, there isn't much to go wrong. If the exhaust sections aren't bolted tight enough and there is an exhaust leak, you will be able to tell immediately and reach down and tighten the bolt.

And you can't say that you need a lift; The exhaust on my Z was installed in a two car garage (which is half occupied by a '66 Mustang project) using nothing but hand tools and some ramps. As for the badge, you won't even have to remove the stock one since your new bumper won't have a badge.

I hope this helps you out in some way, whether it encourages you to do some work yourself or just give you an idea what to look for in a shop for painting your kit.

Wow, fantastic links! I'll read them in a second, i can see why the Fairlady emblem is said to be easy to install, it comes with the blue pad which sorta guides where it should go on, can't say the same for my 200Turbo genesis emblem.

I'll highly consider tackling the job myself, I do need a way to get the car up, however.

[Scribe]

Originally Posted by Amuse370z

Wow, fantastic links! I'll read them in a second, i can see why the Fairlady emblem is said to be easy to install, it comes with the blue pad which sorta guides where it should go on, can't say the same for my 200Turbo genesis emblem.

I'll highly consider tackling the job myself, I do need a way to get the car up, however.

I'm happy that you found the links somewhat helpful.

For getting the car up, you can pick up some automotive ramps from any auto parts store and they are pretty useful for oil changes, oil cooler installs, etc. and cost about $40 (which is small investment and you will add another tool to your garage). Getting the car up can make you a little nervous the first few times and is only slightly more difficult with a manual, but after doing it a couple times it's a piece of cake. In fact, AK370 posted a video of him pulling up on ramps in his DIY oil change thread, if I remember correctly. Great video.

Which reminds me, you have an entire community here that will help you if you have any questions. Just start when you know you have plenty of time and don't need to rush so in the unlikely event you do hit a snag, you will have time to seek advice and someone can respond.

Edit: I looked for the video and it appears to be pulled for some reason. Here is the picture from that thread though. I've got a few tips if you go this route as well, but you won't have any clearance issues getting the rear of the Z up.



Also, where are you located? Your profile says 'Tdot' right now. There may be someone nearby that would actually be willing to give you a hand.