Harder to get custom exhaust work done

[Hulsty]

I had a similar situation maybe 2 years back, asked around a couple of locals, either not interested or I wouldn't trust them to do the work to an acceptable standard. Spoke with the Valiant workshop and they suggested Yarra Valley Exhaust. I've got a Hemi 6, with a 6 into 2 system with mufflers just before the rear diff, under the passenger seat the exhaust dropped way low and always scrapped.

Went into Yarra Valley Exhaust, old bloke behind the counter, explained what I wanted (lift the exhaust ~2inches), $150. Dropped it off overnight, picked it up and he showed me what he'd done, cut the exhaust off at the secondary's, bolt together flanges, nice tight system under the floor and replaced pipes all the way to the mufflers, painted block, great job. Went to pay, pulled out some notes "paying cash, make it $120", couldnt be happier.


Regarding welders, I work for a large fabrication company, getting welders is tough, even getting unskilled people to train is tough, we ended up moving to Australia welders from our Thailand sites, just couldnt get people. Last I head was 16 or so people we had bought over.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by Hulsty

I had a similar situation maybe 2 years back, asked around a couple of locals, either not interested or I wouldn't trust them to do the work to an acceptable standard. Spoke with the Valiant workshop and they suggested Yarra Valley Exhaust. I've got a Hemi 6, with a 6 into 2 system with mufflers just before the rear diff, under the passenger seat the exhaust dropped way low and always scrapped.

Went into Yarra Valley Exhaust, old bloke behind the counter, explained what I wanted (lift the exhaust ~2inches), $150. Dropped it off overnight, picked it up and he showed me what he'd done, cut the exhaust off at the secondary's, bolt together flanges, nice tight system under the floor and replaced pipes all the way to the mufflers, painted block, great job. Went to pay, pulled out some notes "paying cash, make it $120", couldnt be happier.


Regarding welders, I work for a large fabrication company, getting welders is tough, even getting unskilled people to train is tough, we ended up moving to Australia welders from our Thailand sites, just couldnt get people. Last I head was 16 or so people we had bought over.

Thats more than a decent price for the job. Might give them a bell for the next job, though I'm expecting the price to have hiked. One of the places I used to frequent, use to do the same re: cash payments, but doesn't do it anymore, maybe became too risky. Spoke to him a few months ago, he tried to pass the business onto his son, but his son had no interest. Had to come out of retirement to keep the business going, cos it was making too much $$$ to let go.

As a comparison, a few weeks ago I was ringing around to get a price on just to swap the rear section of my v8 exhaust over. I have the parts (including bolts and gaskets), no fabrication needed, I just needed someone with a hoist to get the rear section out and in....its too tight and tricky job on the BAs to do on stands. The cheapest quote I got was $170!

[roKWiz]

The price you pay for labour these days.