Newbie needs advice

[Mystery Train]

I'm buying a silver 97 with 25,000 miles. Seller wanted $7500, I may try to get him lower, pending the cost of pinning/welding the cams.

I priced the pin solution at shoshop in Huntington Beach; $1835. If this is the way I go, then I'm going to try to talk the guy down another $500. I'm familiar with shoshop (my dad had them mod his 95) so I trust their work, but the cost of pinning . . . damn.

So here's question #1: Does anyone know a trusted, skilled cam welder in SoCal? Someone who has done this with success on GenIII's? Someone with references on the longevity of this solution?

question #2: I've seen numerous prices on such work, I want to know from someone who had this successfully done what am I looking at total cost, total time?

question #3: What you would pay for a 25K, straight, no-accidents, 97?

Apparently this car was old-lady owned. Her husband bought it, and then "bought the farm", and she traded it in last year with 14K. The dealership mechanic couldn't resist it, but apparently his wife can, so she is making him sell to get a bigger car for the kiddies. Car has been sitting for "months" in the garage so it only needs a new battery, detailing, and of course the cam-job. Drove it last Sunday; smooth, fast, quiet.

Any help from the SHO community is appreciated!

MT

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Imagine that, another car owned by an old lady.

Damn, there sure are a lot of them.

LOL! Sorry I have nothing useful to add.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

If everything is as it seems, I might go $6K or so for it.

For cam welding in your area, try http://www.v8sho.com to see who (if anyone) does it out that way. FWIW, IMHO, avoid the pinning solution, more than one car has had problems, and that price is absurd. A competent cam weld job should run $500-$800 depending on who and what services are included.

Oh, and I'd also recommend avoiding SHO Shop at all costs. They have gone down hill terribly over the last 2 years, and just about every transaction they've had with other members here in the last year have gone bad in one way or another.

 

[kipp438]

Hey, Im a newbie too, just bought mine last week. There are a ton of great guys this forum that know way more than me, but here's my 2 cents after doing a ton of research.

1. I see on v8sho.com that there is someone who welds cams in Sacramento. I know, not quite so-cal but hey, Im driving accross WI into IL to get mine welded in a couple weeks by a guy I trust. I think the peace of mind is worth it.

2. My first quote I got for this work was well over $500, that included only the welds, cleaning inside and plug change was about $175 more. The second quote I got was $450 for welds, cleaning, plugs, oil change, and written warranty. From what I have been reading, it sounds like anywhere from $400-$800 depending on where you go.

3. Just for reference purposes, I paid $4000 for a 97 with 100k. Straight and pretty clean. That is in WI though, salty winters you know. $7500 sounds pretty good for that car with only 25k. Get a Carfax report to verify.

Good luck, Have fun!!

 

[Mystery Train]

Mr. Anon, Kipp -

Appreciate the input. Especially re: Shoshop. I found out that Tom G, the guy who I met a couple years ago is no longer there. The guy I just spoke to was named Vatim(?) and he definitely didn't sound as enthusiastic or knowledgeable as Tom. Interesting info about problems with pinned cams. I'm definitely leaning more towards the weld solution now.

kipp, Sacramento? Well, it could be worse, I suppose. Sacramento isn't much different than Illinos, come to think of it .

Anyone else? Thanks so much!


MT

 

[JSIL1]

Im driving accross WI into IL to get mine welded in a couple weeks by a guy I trust. I think the peace of mind is worth it.

Where and who are you getting this done. I am in the chicagoland area and have procrastinated enough time to get this stuff done. also is this place in IL the $450 quote?


And i agree Sacremanto is like IL, except for the awsome skyline that Chicago holds. Damn it's sweet :****:

 

[kipp438]

Eric Lehmann is doing my cams on the 26th. He is in Lombard, IL. I spoke with him briefly on the phone, seems like a really good guy, and extremely knowledgeable about SHOs. he his listed on the v8sho.com.

 

[JSIL1]

Thanks