Discussion
Just thought I would say hello, now that the order is in for the first few stages of my GTR kit, and take the opportunity to say thanks to all the posters who take the trouble to document their build on here, Facebook, their own websites etc etc, for people like me to get a lot of info, make an informed decision and generally get hooked on the idea of building an awesome (and slightly bonkers, in a very good way) car.
It was the GTW which caught my attention, and the sensational photographs of it - who'd have thought a cloudy day could complement the look of a car so well? I have still to get bored of admiring that car.
So, it was with thoughts of the need for bodywork mods that I went to the factory to have a look, only to realise the the car is pretty special in standard form. It was about two thirds of the size I had imagined it based on the photos I had seen (Internet research only gets you so far...) and all the better for it! Being so low gives you a great perspective view of the car, and then when the rear canopy was opened revealing the v8 neatly packaged in, I wanted one badly!
Still fancy a few bodywork mods, though, GTW stylee but given time available this is at least an 18 month project for me, so lots of time to be pondering!
All of the above makes it sound like it is all about the appearance of the car, but that's not the case. The thought of v8 muscle in a sub tonne motor, the race car vibe and the build that is just as important.
Anyway, that's a bit more rambling than I had originally intended, so I better go - still need to source that wok for the subwoofer install.;)
Cheers all.
It was the GTW which caught my attention, and the sensational photographs of it - who'd have thought a cloudy day could complement the look of a car so well? I have still to get bored of admiring that car.
So, it was with thoughts of the need for bodywork mods that I went to the factory to have a look, only to realise the the car is pretty special in standard form. It was about two thirds of the size I had imagined it based on the photos I had seen (Internet research only gets you so far...) and all the better for it! Being so low gives you a great perspective view of the car, and then when the rear canopy was opened revealing the v8 neatly packaged in, I wanted one badly!
Still fancy a few bodywork mods, though, GTW stylee but given time available this is at least an 18 month project for me, so lots of time to be pondering!
All of the above makes it sound like it is all about the appearance of the car, but that's not the case. The thought of v8 muscle in a sub tonne motor, the race car vibe and the build that is just as important.
Anyway, that's a bit more rambling than I had originally intended, so I better go - still need to source that wok for the subwoofer install.;)
Cheers all.
LuckyP said:
Good for you pal!! Wish you the best of builds. Do it your way and do it right.
Now, is it BLACK???!!!
Me, Wayne and GFWilliams will await the commission payment from Ted and the crew.......(think I already drank mine!!!!)
Thanks LuckyP! Got a couple of bottles of the Ultima vino myself!Now, is it BLACK???!!!
Me, Wayne and GFWilliams will await the commission payment from Ted and the crew.......(think I already drank mine!!!!)
As to the colour, that's been the easiest decision so far, definitely BLACK!!!
Wheras the engine and gearbox, that is going to take some figuring out...
Welcome and good luck with the build! You're definately doing the right thing researching & planning, so keep doing so and ask as many questions as you like on here.
I'm sure you'll find the build rewarding, but don't put any pressure on yourself to have it done in a particular timeframe, it's best done right, than done quickly!
Cheers, Mark
I'm sure you'll find the build rewarding, but don't put any pressure on yourself to have it done in a particular timeframe, it's best done right, than done quickly!
Cheers, Mark
356Speedster said:
Welcome and good luck with the build! You're definately doing the right thing researching & planning, so keep doing so and ask as many questions as you like on here.
I'm sure you'll find the build rewarding, but don't put any pressure on yourself to have it done in a particular timeframe, it's best done right, than done quickly!
Cheers, Mark
Thanks Mark - have been following your build on here and facebook - looking very nice!I'm sure you'll find the build rewarding, but don't put any pressure on yourself to have it done in a particular timeframe, it's best done right, than done quickly!
Cheers, Mark
Just wanted to say hello to all the fellow "PistonHeads"… I'm new here, but not to playing with cars.
I've been looking into the Ultima GTR, and I'm convinced I'm going to get myself one. I love the Idea of building the car from ground up, as thats my type of fun!!
Glad to say I've received the "thumbs UP" from the better half, so thats a good start if I do say so myself. LOL
Look forward to reading the forums, and learning what I can, as I save for my GTR!..
Hope to talk to you all later.
Brian - USA
I've been looking into the Ultima GTR, and I'm convinced I'm going to get myself one. I love the Idea of building the car from ground up, as thats my type of fun!!
Glad to say I've received the "thumbs UP" from the better half, so thats a good start if I do say so myself. LOL
Look forward to reading the forums, and learning what I can, as I save for my GTR!..
Hope to talk to you all later.
Brian - USA
356Speedster said:
No problems. I see you're in the West Mids.... possibly not a million miles away me? Always happy to meet up and talk Ultimas if it'll help you with your build 
Thanks Mark - that is much appreciated. I live just outside Solihull town centre, so hopefully not too far to compare notes once my build is underway?Stig said:
LS7 and Getrag - so job done 
...and welcome
Cheers Stig - i've spent a lot of time on your websites!...and welcome
LS7 and Getrag is the most likely route for me, as the idea of having a factory standard engine which should hopefully minimise future engine hassle does appeal. The thought of a 7 litre v8 does make me smile, too!
However, and I know this is daft given the weight of the car, but the thought of 600 bhp + does seem to sit nicely with the extreme nature of the car! Have been window shopping LS9's, but the thought of an extra £5k does make me wince, and will most likely break the (already pretty broken) budget.
That and the fact I have no idea if one will fit...
Ps sorry for the delay in responding all - just got back from Le Mans (my first time at the classic).
FLYNLOW said:
Just wanted to say hello to all the fellow "PistonHeads"… I'm new here, but not to playing with cars.
I've been looking into the Ultima GTR, and I'm convinced I'm going to get myself one. I love the Idea of building the car from ground up, as thats my type of fun!!
Glad to say I've received the "thumbs UP" from the better half, so thats a good start if I do say so myself. LOL
Look forward to reading the forums, and learning what I can, as I save for my GTR!..
Hope to talk to you all later.
Brian - USA
Good luck Brian - sounds like you've already done the most difficult part!I've been looking into the Ultima GTR, and I'm convinced I'm going to get myself one. I love the Idea of building the car from ground up, as thats my type of fun!!
Glad to say I've received the "thumbs UP" from the better half, so thats a good start if I do say so myself. LOL
Look forward to reading the forums, and learning what I can, as I save for my GTR!..
Hope to talk to you all later.
Brian - USA
Pedders said:
Cheers Stig - i've spent a lot of time on your websites!
LS7 and Getrag is the most likely route for me, as the idea of having a factory standard engine which should hopefully minimise future engine hassle does appeal. The thought of a 7 litre v8 does make me smile, too!
However, and I know this is daft given the weight of the car, but the thought of 600 bhp + does seem to sit nicely with the extreme nature of the car! Have been window shopping LS9's, but the thought of an extra £5k does make me wince, and will most likely break the (already pretty broken) budget.
That and the fact I have no idea if one will fit...
Ps sorry for the delay in responding all - just got back from Le Mans (my first time at the classic).
LS9 is a very nice idea, but getting it to fit will be a nightmare and not without some major surgeryLS7 and Getrag is the most likely route for me, as the idea of having a factory standard engine which should hopefully minimise future engine hassle does appeal. The thought of a 7 litre v8 does make me smile, too!
However, and I know this is daft given the weight of the car, but the thought of 600 bhp + does seem to sit nicely with the extreme nature of the car! Have been window shopping LS9's, but the thought of an extra £5k does make me wince, and will most likely break the (already pretty broken) budget.
That and the fact I have no idea if one will fit...
Ps sorry for the delay in responding all - just got back from Le Mans (my first time at the classic).
Greetings
well having brought a superbly built and very unique Sport with a 350 zz3 at 350bhp I am looking to maybe push 525bhp with its next engine.
I have been looking around and have come across some pretty impressive prices.
another life ago I had a cobra replica and brought in US muscle engines from California so I know something about these, just its 20 years out of date.
Which in real terms means fuel injection is new but not a lot else.
so with around 525bhp I reckon 400bhp at the rears is about right. nothing like a 720 or 840 but hey this is for me repping around Scotland not tracking around Silverstone
More later.
well having brought a superbly built and very unique Sport with a 350 zz3 at 350bhp I am looking to maybe push 525bhp with its next engine.
I have been looking around and have come across some pretty impressive prices.
another life ago I had a cobra replica and brought in US muscle engines from California so I know something about these, just its 20 years out of date.
Which in real terms means fuel injection is new but not a lot else.
so with around 525bhp I reckon 400bhp at the rears is about right. nothing like a 720 or 840 but hey this is for me repping around Scotland not tracking around Silverstone
More later.
Storer said:
600hp from an LS7 is easily possible and you get a 7500rpm V8 with no lag.
Having tried my LS7 I am not sure you want more on the road especially with the weather the way it is this year!
Paul
I'd be interested to hear what you have to do to an LS7 to get 600bhp, especially something easy!Having tried my LS7 I am not sure you want more on the road especially with the weather the way it is this year!
Paul
Many thanks.
SpiritedDriver said:
I have been looking around and have come across some pretty impressive prices.
More later.
I've also had a little look around. Started with American Speed, which seems so much more expensive than crate engine prices, I guess am missing something around the cost of ancillaries and anything else to get the engine up and running?More later.
Managed to track down my first post on this forum, which shows the date I placed my order for a first batch of GTR parts - July 2012.
I took my first drive in the GTR on Saturday morning - with the chassis arriving in October 2012, I just managed to keep the build time to under 4 years....
I got up early Saturday morning with the plan of clocking up 30 miles per the GM engine installation run in instructions, prior to changing the oil. I was a bit anxious. With pondering the decision to buy one in the first place, I'd spent the best part of 5 years wondering whether the car would be any good. I'd taken a chance on the engine by fitting the LSA. Would it overheat with the charge cooler rad placed directly in front of the main rad? I'd lagged the coolant pipes running through the side pods - had that been a mistake? Would it really feel powerful - I'd gotten used to pretty big power with previous cars - the LSA engine package was quoted at 650bhp, but was that pub bragging? I'd never had an american V8 before - would it be an agricultural lazy revving V8 that wouldn't suit my driving style?
I'd read about the bump steer issues some other owners had spent a lot of time and expertise in sorting. I'd done the suspension alignment with fishing line, a ruler and a spirit level from B&Q. Would it handle, or would I bounce into the hedge at the first sight of a pot hole?
It was not that long ago that I did a 1000 mile round trip in a Ferrari 458 Italia. That is a beautiful car to drive fast, and the engine is a work of art. I was worried the expectation bar had been set a little high for the Ultima....
The road out of my house is not the smoothest of surfaces. As I slowly trundled along the bumpy surface, the body work groaned and I was jiggled about, and I was left wondering whether I'd used enough wurth bond & seal. Steering wheel was nice and stable, though, even over the bumps.
I pulled out onto a really nice smooth B road, applying a bit of gentle throttle. Things were starting to look promising - keeping myself to well under 3k revs and using a very light throttle didn't seem to stop the car from going very fast. Up into 6th gear and even that didn't seem to dull response to throttle input much.
I spent the first few miles getting used to the car and gradually building up speed. It was already apparent the car could seriously shift, and has a lovely low centre of gravity making it feel super planted. Also, the steering was fantastic, weighting up very nicely in the bends, and not giving any kick back over bumps. The view through the windscreen is so cool - it really does feel like you're in your own little race car, and the first drive was starting to feel special, helped by virtually no traffic due to the early start, route choice and good weather.
As I increased the push of the accelerator pedal the engine was sounding fantastic under load. All the temperatures were rock steady. Even the cabin was cool - I'd put the air con on from the off, and was feeling a little chilly!
As I approached the 30 mile mark I decided to pull over to see what might be leaking out the bottom. I peered underneath and there was nothing to see - happy days. I opened the rear clam and everything was in the same place as before the start of the drive - good news again.
I got back in the car to do the final bit of the initial run in per the GM instruction : 4-5 runs of 50% throttle to 4K revs, and then the same again but using 100% throttle.
First attempt, am driving at around 40ish and push the loud pedal further down quickly to half way - WOW - the response from the car is just incredible. The noise of the engine awesome. With confidence growing I do the other 4 runs to 4K. By this point I am in awe of the car, and having a fantastic time in it.
Now I try the 100% throttle. I'm going through a gentle right hander, am exiting it in 3rd gear and plant the throttle - instant Tokyo drift moment - get the car back under control (easier done than bringing my heart rate down - didn't expect to be power sliding on the first drive....) and then try again. The car is so incredibly fast that by now I am genuinely frightened of it, having done two full throttle attempts to 4K, I can't bring myself to do another full throttle run. Tons of power available instantly in any gear - I have never driven anything like this before.
I get home and climb out of the car. It is the fastest, most extreme thing I have ever driven. The car has totally delivered on 5 years of build up. The engine is awesome. I love it and am scared of it in equal measure!
Thanks to the factory for an amazing car, the guys at Autobionics for a sensational engine and exhaust package, and everyone on this forum and on the Ultima Facebook pages for all the help and support. I loved doing the build, but can see that the fun has only really just started!
I took my first drive in the GTR on Saturday morning - with the chassis arriving in October 2012, I just managed to keep the build time to under 4 years....
I got up early Saturday morning with the plan of clocking up 30 miles per the GM engine installation run in instructions, prior to changing the oil. I was a bit anxious. With pondering the decision to buy one in the first place, I'd spent the best part of 5 years wondering whether the car would be any good. I'd taken a chance on the engine by fitting the LSA. Would it overheat with the charge cooler rad placed directly in front of the main rad? I'd lagged the coolant pipes running through the side pods - had that been a mistake? Would it really feel powerful - I'd gotten used to pretty big power with previous cars - the LSA engine package was quoted at 650bhp, but was that pub bragging? I'd never had an american V8 before - would it be an agricultural lazy revving V8 that wouldn't suit my driving style?
I'd read about the bump steer issues some other owners had spent a lot of time and expertise in sorting. I'd done the suspension alignment with fishing line, a ruler and a spirit level from B&Q. Would it handle, or would I bounce into the hedge at the first sight of a pot hole?
It was not that long ago that I did a 1000 mile round trip in a Ferrari 458 Italia. That is a beautiful car to drive fast, and the engine is a work of art. I was worried the expectation bar had been set a little high for the Ultima....
The road out of my house is not the smoothest of surfaces. As I slowly trundled along the bumpy surface, the body work groaned and I was jiggled about, and I was left wondering whether I'd used enough wurth bond & seal. Steering wheel was nice and stable, though, even over the bumps.
I pulled out onto a really nice smooth B road, applying a bit of gentle throttle. Things were starting to look promising - keeping myself to well under 3k revs and using a very light throttle didn't seem to stop the car from going very fast. Up into 6th gear and even that didn't seem to dull response to throttle input much.
I spent the first few miles getting used to the car and gradually building up speed. It was already apparent the car could seriously shift, and has a lovely low centre of gravity making it feel super planted. Also, the steering was fantastic, weighting up very nicely in the bends, and not giving any kick back over bumps. The view through the windscreen is so cool - it really does feel like you're in your own little race car, and the first drive was starting to feel special, helped by virtually no traffic due to the early start, route choice and good weather.
As I increased the push of the accelerator pedal the engine was sounding fantastic under load. All the temperatures were rock steady. Even the cabin was cool - I'd put the air con on from the off, and was feeling a little chilly!
As I approached the 30 mile mark I decided to pull over to see what might be leaking out the bottom. I peered underneath and there was nothing to see - happy days. I opened the rear clam and everything was in the same place as before the start of the drive - good news again.
I got back in the car to do the final bit of the initial run in per the GM instruction : 4-5 runs of 50% throttle to 4K revs, and then the same again but using 100% throttle.
First attempt, am driving at around 40ish and push the loud pedal further down quickly to half way - WOW - the response from the car is just incredible. The noise of the engine awesome. With confidence growing I do the other 4 runs to 4K. By this point I am in awe of the car, and having a fantastic time in it.
Now I try the 100% throttle. I'm going through a gentle right hander, am exiting it in 3rd gear and plant the throttle - instant Tokyo drift moment - get the car back under control (easier done than bringing my heart rate down - didn't expect to be power sliding on the first drive....) and then try again. The car is so incredibly fast that by now I am genuinely frightened of it, having done two full throttle attempts to 4K, I can't bring myself to do another full throttle run. Tons of power available instantly in any gear - I have never driven anything like this before.
I get home and climb out of the car. It is the fastest, most extreme thing I have ever driven. The car has totally delivered on 5 years of build up. The engine is awesome. I love it and am scared of it in equal measure!
Thanks to the factory for an amazing car, the guys at Autobionics for a sensational engine and exhaust package, and everyone on this forum and on the Ultima Facebook pages for all the help and support. I loved doing the build, but can see that the fun has only really just started!
Great write up. It is a rather special moment, that first run out!
If you think the car is fast using only 4k revs, just wait until it hits 5k+.
You soon learn to wait until you are in a straight line and if the rear is not 'moving about a bit' under acceleration, then you are not trying hard enough!
Took mine out for a run this evening, first time for a couple of weeks, and she still raises the adrenalin.
Build up gently and you will find little out there to compete, even a bike!
Paul
If you think the car is fast using only 4k revs, just wait until it hits 5k+.
You soon learn to wait until you are in a straight line and if the rear is not 'moving about a bit' under acceleration, then you are not trying hard enough!
Took mine out for a run this evening, first time for a couple of weeks, and she still raises the adrenalin.
Build up gently and you will find little out there to compete, even a bike!
Paul
deffo a car to get to know over time! take it easy and Id advise getting a tyrepal solar or something to keep an eye on tyre pressures and temps, as theses make a big difference to how far you can push the pedal!
With 650 you will simply never need full throttle on the road, so Id suggest a few track day sessions or even run what you brung sessions on a drag strip to get the power delivery nailed.
Ive it a few thousand miles under my belt now and still done feel like a fully know that car.... however i keep tweaking it!!
Its too easy to forget how amazing theses things are is its sat in a garage sucking up money.... but a drive or a visit to a car show meet is enough to reinvigorate you if you don't mind talking to people!
Good write up too.... even as i was reading your note, as soon as you mentioned 100% pulls I thought ' you'll be lucky!!'
With 650 you will simply never need full throttle on the road, so Id suggest a few track day sessions or even run what you brung sessions on a drag strip to get the power delivery nailed.
Ive it a few thousand miles under my belt now and still done feel like a fully know that car.... however i keep tweaking it!!
Its too easy to forget how amazing theses things are is its sat in a garage sucking up money.... but a drive or a visit to a car show meet is enough to reinvigorate you if you don't mind talking to people!
Good write up too.... even as i was reading your note, as soon as you mentioned 100% pulls I thought ' you'll be lucky!!'
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