What to do now?
Discussion
I have a year to finish my medical fellowship and will have to wait a bit longer still before I am in the position to start a build.
I've been reading PH forums to keep the urge fed for now, but finished it. Well, not all PH, just the ultima forum... anything in the last year, or with an interesting title, or double digit post count... well over half the content I would guess. Well, through page 425 at least... there's some technical error in the forums and I can't seem to get to the last two dozen pages.
Next couple of years are going to be rough. My greatest fear is that there is a disaster and new kits aren't being offered then!
Suggestions on how to pass the time?
I've been reading PH forums to keep the urge fed for now, but finished it. Well, not all PH, just the ultima forum... anything in the last year, or with an interesting title, or double digit post count... well over half the content I would guess. Well, through page 425 at least... there's some technical error in the forums and I can't seem to get to the last two dozen pages.
Next couple of years are going to be rough. My greatest fear is that there is a disaster and new kits aren't being offered then!
Suggestions on how to pass the time?
I would suggest keep reading the forum, go to the FOD (Factory open day) and try to see owners or those building an Ultima. That should keep interest alive. Regarding kit cars in the future, I imagine that rules and regs may get stiffer even in the UK, but people like Ted and Richard will most certainly know how to adapt. Just my 2p vision from someone outside your "island".
Ah, I'm in the states. Would love to visit the factory one day. I suppose in a year or so I'll start tracking down owners here to get a test ride (though I can't imagine it making a difference), get an idea of options/upgrades/changes I might be interested in especially concerning what to buy this side of the pond vs shipping etc.
Going to be a tough itch to live with. 15 years of school/training since I first discovered the ultima, and now that I can see the light at the end the bug is biting hard.
Going to be a tough itch to live with. 15 years of school/training since I first discovered the ultima, and now that I can see the light at the end the bug is biting hard.
Richard good luck on the rest of your schooling. Next spring we will have another Ultima owners meeting in the San Francisco area. Great chance to see the cars, meet the owners and listen to well told lies. Keep your eyes on the blog, we will announce the date, place and time early next year. Lee
The Factory has always indicated that they thought the 6 speed box might be one more gear than such a light car with such high torque can use effectively. After years of driving a GTR with 575 ft lbs of torque I agree. Although the later model 6 speed box the factory had on display I think it was a 993 maybe 997 box appeals to me because it comes from Porsche with cable shift. My reasoning is that Porsche will out engineer anything the after market can come up with. I have a CMS side shifter cable adapter on the GTR and I have had few complaints with it. If the g50 with the side shifter was my only choice I would be happy with the result. Lee
I have the G96-50 twin turbo box with steel whizzy-bits a custom limited slip diff (which is wonderful) and a revamped 1st & 2nd gear set all built and supplied by CFM and I have to say the 6 gears seem to work for me, well spaced and not superfluous (and that is with over 600bhp on tap), but that is my opinion and I am sure that other might disagree.
ROWDYRENAULT said:
The Factory has always indicated that they thought the 6 speed box might be one more gear than such a light car with such high torque can use effectively. After years of driving a GTR with 575 ft lbs of torque I agree. Although the later model 6 speed box the factory had on display I think it was a 993 maybe 997 box appeals to me because it comes from Porsche with cable shift. My reasoning is that Porsche will out engineer anything the after market can come up with. I have a CMS side shifter cable adapter on the GTR and I have had few complaints with it. If the g50 with the side shifter was my only choice I would be happy with the result. Lee
I have a cable shift G50/52 5 speed box LSD pre-load reduced on trailing throttle, and I find the torque overlaps every thing to the point of leaving me wondering why I even need 5 gears let alone 6. F.C. said:
ROWDYRENAULT said:
The Factory has always indicated that they thought the 6 speed box might be one more gear than such a light car with such high torque can use effectively. After years of driving a GTR with 575 ft lbs of torque I agree. Although the later model 6 speed box the factory had on display I think it was a 993 maybe 997 box appeals to me because it comes from Porsche with cable shift. My reasoning is that Porsche will out engineer anything the after market can come up with. I have a CMS side shifter cable adapter on the GTR and I have had few complaints with it. If the g50 with the side shifter was my only choice I would be happy with the result. Lee
I have a cable shift G50/52 5 speed box LSD pre-load reduced on trailing throttle, and I find the torque overlaps every thing to the point of leaving me wondering why I even need 5 gears let alone 6. Paul
I wondered whether 6 speeds might offer the possibility of a 1st that makes crawling around lots or in heavy traffic easier and a 2nd really intended for performance starts. Or, a 6th geared for interstate cruising MPG and/or higher max speed. Or maybe both even. But would require a rework of at least one gearset I'm sure, maybe even ring gear change?
rhosch said:
I wondered whether 6 speeds might offer the possibility of a 1st that makes crawling around lots or in heavy traffic easier and a 2nd really intended for performance starts. Or, a 6th geared for interstate cruising MPG and/or higher max speed. Or maybe both even. But would require a rework of at least one gearset I'm sure, maybe even ring gear change?
See my post a few back...this works for me!rhosch said:
I wondered whether 6 speeds might offer the possibility of a 1st that makes crawling around lots or in heavy traffic easier and a 2nd really intended for performance starts. Or, a 6th geared for interstate cruising MPG and/or higher max speed. Or maybe both even. But would require a rework of at least one gearset I'm sure, maybe even ring gear change?
BEFORE you buy your transmission check the top gear ratio. there a lot of 911 boxes out there and the majority are geared for 160-170 MPH @ circa 7000RPM, Turbo and GT boxes tend to have higher overall gearing giving a top speed (theoretical) of around 210MPH, this also helps with fuel economy.I have considered modding my box to give a 240mph-ish top speed (theoretical) in order to make M way cruising a bit more bearable.
Looking at Keith's chart (seen others too), I was wondering if it is difficult to find a higher 6th ratio (does it exist) for a 96/50 TT box in order to improve motorway and road cruising. The amount of torque in a V8s for a light vehicle should make cruising even easier and decrease noise. I'm not interested in full out top speed.
UltimaCH said:
Looking at Keith's chart (seen others too), I was wondering if it is difficult to find a higher 6th ratio (does it exist) for a 96/50 TT box in order to improve motorway and road cruising. The amount of torque in a V8s for a light vehicle should make cruising even easier and decrease noise. I'm not interested in full out top speed.
Havent some changed the crown wheel/pinion ratios to lengthen the overall range of the box?Steve
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