4kq header pipe / new parts place

[Jack Rich <102466.3676@compuserve.com>]

I visited a local muffler shop and was given a quote of $580 for a new
header pipe (high price because it's dealer-only) for my 84 4kq plus
assorted other parts plust $80 for installation.  One of the parts
places on the web-site vendor-list also said it was a dealer-only part,
though I eventually located one through "Foreign Auto Parts", which had
an ad in a recent QClub Quattro Quarterly.  This vendor is not listed on
the web site.  They are in Burlington, VT. Their number is (802)
254-8729 or (800) 544-4600.  The header pipe was only (a relative term)
$149, plus all the gaskets and screws which they also sent.  Seems like
a good place.  It looks like the right parts and all the necessary
stuff.

After crawling under the car and deciding it was worth the $80 to have
someone else do the work, I called the local muffler shop.  Now the
labor estimate went up to $190 since I was providing the parts and had
taken away their profit on the parts.  Is this usual and customary?

Anyone have any experience replacing the header pipe on a 4kq?  I've
always avoided my own exhaust repairs because I expect nothing but
frozen bolts and problems.  Am I being too pessimistic?  There looked
like plenty of odds and ends in the way of actually getting to the bolts
on the manifold end.  The cat end looks easy.  Should I try it myself or
shop around for a different muffler shop?

Jack Rich
84 4000S Quattro
88 Corvette convertible
90 V8 Quattro