Hi guys,


What amount should I expect to pay for the job of
1)Changing the cylinder head,
2)Fitting Schrick cam on the head and
3)Fitting the JCW 380CC injectors?

Does the whole engine needs to be remove from the chasis for fitting the head?


Thank you in advance..


Cheers

 

Depending on the shop i've seen anywhere from 4-6 hrs for a head swap. Not too sure about the injectors, but they are really easy to install with common hand tools and some mechanical skills. If you need help let me know -- Johan

 

The whole engine is not pulled.

 

Hi,

Glad to hear that..

Guess what, just got a quote from my regular mechanic that fitting the head,cam and injectors would cost me about USD700 just for the labour and this does not include labour if engine is needed to be hoisted....

I guess this is the mechanic's first time fitting/changing head on a Mini cooper S, though he done quite a few of the WRXs and EVOs...

Should I look for another workshop....

Any special tools needed to dismentle my stock head and put in the P&P head? what about special tools for changing CAMs?

Lastly does anyone have the bentley manual could advise whether step by step instructions could be found written in there? Or where could I get detail instructions on dismentling the head and changing of CAMs?

Quite abit lost here...

Rgs

 

700 bucks for a head swap is BS

 

I got quoted $1200 at a local Houston BMW/MINI shop.
Does the head swap need to be done by somebody familiar to BMWs or MINIs? or should any shop be able to do it?

 

Danny at Mini Corsa in Van Nuys, CA
$450 total. When you pull the head you have to dismantle everything anyway, so fitting the cam/injectors shouldn't cost any more.

Where are you located? That might give us a better idea of some local shops.

A head is complicated enough that I wouldn't want someone working on my car that hadn't done one on a MINI before. Too much of a risk IMHO.

 

I wouldn't let anyone open up the timing cover on my car without knowing what they're doing, too many issues...

 

I'm in Houston...

I replaced the injectors myself already... I really just need to install the head and cam, but considering the steep price, I might have to go another direction.

 

Does Texas Speedworks do installs in house? If so, check with them, if not, ask them for a recommendation

 

but it will take a while. Also remember there's a gasket kit you need for all the bits... That's a bit north of $100. But figure 4-8 hours, depending on the shop. Rates around here are well north of $100/hr for good shops, so $700 doesn't seem bad, especially if the gaskets are included.

As far as not trusting the car to someone who doesn't know minis, piffle! It's just a motor, and a good mechanic with good documentation will do fine.

Matt

 

Yeah.... you do have a lot more experience though Matt...


That's what I was thinking. I'm just wondering if the MINI engine has any odd architecture, etc. that a normal shop wouldn't be able to deal with...

 

is getting over the fear that you'll screw something up. On a 1-10 scale I'd give it a 5. The special tools aren't really needed. The other hard part is to find a big enough work surface to leave all the parts on so they can stay organized.

But there is little to the job that is really hard, and I haven't done very many heads (this is my third, and I just helped on one of them) in my life. Just go slow, don't rush what you don't understand (ask for answers and help before you brake something),, and use a torque wrench when you put things back together.

changing a cam on our cars is a snap, with the head in the car or out. Once the valve cover is off, it's an easy job. Once again, just go slow, and use a good assembly lube. Since it's a roller cam, the wear between the cam and the lifters isn't an issue like it once was.

Matt

 

'

Aw cmon Matt, now your going to burst the bubble for all the ppl who thing the MINI engine is "special"

Now if it were a V12 Ferrari ...

 

It's a Chrysler designed engine (or if you prefer to believe, was "jointly" designed by Chrysler and Rover) so any mechanic familiar with Dodge Neons will feel right at home. The R50's Tritec was even standard equipment on exported Neons.

 

Okay, seems like a general consensus that I can take it to any shop. Thanks guys.

 

Any good shop!

Matt

 

Any shop may be able to do it, but I would recommend taking it to someone that has done at least one before. It is easy to be ham fisted when you don't know your way around a specific engine compartment. Yes. it is just nut and bolts, but I have seen cars with nearly every clip and connector broken and nothing seemed to fit right. I did a cam last night, no big deal, but I could see how someone could make a mess of things. 4 hours may be asking too much for a person that hasn't seen a mini. $700 is a fair price for a tech with intergrity.

 

This was the price I was quoted...