Ultima Engine provider-Again!!
Discussion
I know this has been done a hundred times but just wanted to get some opinions. I am just about to order an LS3 engine and noticed American Speed have upped prices and HP to 575bhp. My thoughts are is this simply a hot cam (for the increased power)which will cause issues for running and emissions. And what are the issues with sourcing a crate engine from the UK and a provider such as Auto Bionics (or anyone who can assist) to sort the parts so it will fit just as one from AS does out of the box so to speak
I realise this probably is easier to source from AS but at 13k is there much to be saved using a UK provider and going the other route? Lastly I will not be able to carry out any of the modifications myself as this is beyond my ability, so need to factor in the costs of the additional work it will need to fit and work etc
I realise this probably is easier to source from AS but at 13k is there much to be saved using a UK provider and going the other route? Lastly I will not be able to carry out any of the modifications myself as this is beyond my ability, so need to factor in the costs of the additional work it will need to fit and work etc
I bought a standard ls3 from southern roadcraft , a run kit and ancillary kit from ab, ab put it through iva, first time pass!! Then had a cam fitted to get530 Hp , then Paul from wartec mapped it on the road, I saved a good deal on AS products, but the local contacts I got were worth far more to me. Don't tune an LS before IVA
If you do not have the facilities/ability to do the necessary work to source/modify and fit a crate engine yourself then I would get a package from either Autobionics, American Speed or Gardner Douglas.
I enjoyed sourcing all the bits myself and making stuff to fit it all together, but I have a fairly well equipped workshop.
Paul
I enjoyed sourcing all the bits myself and making stuff to fit it all together, but I have a fairly well equipped workshop.
Paul
Ult-Jim said:
I thought the the Factory's package from AS was suppose to gaurantee no emission and IVA issues, or am I being naive.
The package from AS is guaranteed no emission or IVA issues... This topic has been done to death, and there is no comparable package from Autobionics or Gardner Douglas - if there was, they would undoubtedly advertise the fact to encourage UK builders to buy it from them. You can buy piecemeal from those two, but then you are on your own.I am always happy to spend money instead of experiencing problems and stress, so I bought an AS package with my build and had ZERO problems - it's a personal decision. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
pilbeam_mp62 said:
Ult-Jim said:
I thought the the Factory's package from AS was suppose to gaurantee no emission and IVA issues, or am I being naive.
The package from AS is guaranteed no emission or IVA issues... This topic has been done to death, and there is no comparable package from Autobionics or Gardner Douglas - if there was, they would undoubtedly advertise the fact to encourage UK builders to buy it from them. You can buy piecemeal from those two, but then you are on your own.I am always happy to spend money instead of experiencing problems and stress, so I bought an AS package with my build and had ZERO problems - it's a personal decision. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
barriejames said:
I know this has been done a hundred times but just wanted to get some opinions. I am just about to order an LS3 engine and noticed American Speed have upped prices and HP to 575bhp. My thoughts are is this simply a hot cam (for the increased power)which will cause issues for running and emissions. And what are the issues with sourcing a crate engine from the UK and a provider such as Auto Bionics (or anyone who can assist) to sort the parts so it will fit just as one from AS does out of the box so to speak
I realise this probably is easier to source from AS but at 13k is there much to be saved using a UK provider and going the other route? Lastly I will not be able to carry out any of the modifications myself as this is beyond my ability, so need to factor in the costs of the additional work it will need to fit and work etc
The 575bhp LS3 is labelled as street legal in 49 states.I realise this probably is easier to source from AS but at 13k is there much to be saved using a UK provider and going the other route? Lastly I will not be able to carry out any of the modifications myself as this is beyond my ability, so need to factor in the costs of the additional work it will need to fit and work etc
what that power will translate to once it has a street legal muffler and drivetrain fitted is another question.
UltimaCH said:
pilbeam_mp62 said:
Ult-Jim said:
I thought the the Factory's package from AS was suppose to gaurantee no emission and IVA issues, or am I being naive.
The package from AS is guaranteed no emission or IVA issues... This topic has been done to death, and there is no comparable package from Autobionics or Gardner Douglas - if there was, they would undoubtedly advertise the fact to encourage UK builders to buy it from them. You can buy piecemeal from those two, but then you are on your own.I am always happy to spend money instead of experiencing problems and stress, so I bought an AS package with my build and had ZERO problems - it's a personal decision. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
There is far more to it than simply fitting a hot cam to make this happen. They are fully developed plug and play Ultima packages.
UltimaCH said:
pilbeam_mp62 said:
Ult-Jim said:
I thought the the Factory's package from AS was suppose to gaurantee no emission and IVA issues, or am I being naive.
The package from AS is guaranteed no emission or IVA issues... This topic has been done to death, and there is no comparable package from Autobionics or Gardner Douglas - if there was, they would undoubtedly advertise the fact to encourage UK builders to buy it from them. You can buy piecemeal from those two, but then you are on your own.I am always happy to spend money instead of experiencing problems and stress, so I bought an AS package with my build and had ZERO problems - it's a personal decision. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
There's been lots of chatter over the yrs on here about the AS cam'd LS3 not passing IVA, so be careful here.
So as a rich kid wanting pub bragging rights, I scroll to the bottom of the AS web page, pick the shiny lump that is the biggest in looks & numbers associated with it, follow AS & Factory Spec with all other relevant parts and follow the Factory build manual word to word only. Becoming road legal & MOT's down the road are a breeze, & I can look, sound & run cool while siting in traffic as I cruise down the high street playing the part? It's that easy?
"LEGAL IN 49 States", well than that means there is one state they are not legal (California of course) or if I quote our fine President "All 57 states" - wow.
So you guys have more lenient emission rules than California. Here in Calif. we must apply for a special permit, I thought your False "carbon" issues were more stringent than ours.
I have this permit on my factory five, they allow 500 per year. Our 500 per year become smog exempt-forever ! Funny thing, they haven't fulfilled the 500 in the last few years.
I let you know when I find those other 7 states and report - in.
So you guys have more lenient emission rules than California. Here in Calif. we must apply for a special permit, I thought your False "carbon" issues were more stringent than ours.
I have this permit on my factory five, they allow 500 per year. Our 500 per year become smog exempt-forever ! Funny thing, they haven't fulfilled the 500 in the last few years.
I let you know when I find those other 7 states and report - in.
356Speedster said:
UltimaCH said:
pilbeam_mp62 said:
Ult-Jim said:
I thought the the Factory's package from AS was suppose to gaurantee no emission and IVA issues, or am I being naive.
The package from AS is guaranteed no emission or IVA issues... This topic has been done to death, and there is no comparable package from Autobionics or Gardner Douglas - if there was, they would undoubtedly advertise the fact to encourage UK builders to buy it from them. You can buy piecemeal from those two, but then you are on your own.I am always happy to spend money instead of experiencing problems and stress, so I bought an AS package with my build and had ZERO problems - it's a personal decision. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
There's been lots of chatter over the yrs on here about the AS cam'd LS3 not passing IVA, so be careful here.
Can you direct me to a thread that backs up your claim about an AS cam'd LS3 not passing IVA ??
The factory will GUARANTEE a pass - ask them !!
Hi all
As I started this topic I feel it only right to state that it is now my intention to now go with American Speed as I did not realise or comprehend the amount of development work that has been done to mate these with an Ultima.
Also as I have the 2013 chassis the other suppliers discussed will provide systems that clash heavily with the new updated chassis roll cage. I was also incorrect in stating there had been a price rise from American Speed I had gotten confused with the new higher BHP LS3 unit on offer.
This was one area of the build I knew little about and with hindsight regret starting the thread in some ways. For me personally I shall now stick with American Speed as my chosen provider and will be placing my order very soon.
I apologise to all for any confusion or re-awakening an old post subject but for me it will be American Speed as my chosen supplier all the way.
As I started this topic I feel it only right to state that it is now my intention to now go with American Speed as I did not realise or comprehend the amount of development work that has been done to mate these with an Ultima.
Also as I have the 2013 chassis the other suppliers discussed will provide systems that clash heavily with the new updated chassis roll cage. I was also incorrect in stating there had been a price rise from American Speed I had gotten confused with the new higher BHP LS3 unit on offer.
This was one area of the build I knew little about and with hindsight regret starting the thread in some ways. For me personally I shall now stick with American Speed as my chosen provider and will be placing my order very soon.
I apologise to all for any confusion or re-awakening an old post subject but for me it will be American Speed as my chosen supplier all the way.
barriejames said:
I apologise to all for any confusion or re-awakening an old post subject but for me it will be American Speed as my chosen supplier all the way.
Not at all. It is good to hear the facts from an actual builder shared on this big decision part of your build. I cheated and acquired mine 2nd hand (with a GD lump & very happy with it for the moment).Apologise from me for my tongue in cheek remarks / stirring the cooking pot as I know it has been a popular talking point in the past.
I was planning on ordering from http://www.partsworldperformance.com/
These guys seem to be the cheapest around. Has anyone had experience with Parts World?
These guys seem to be the cheapest around. Has anyone had experience with Parts World?
GTRS said:
I was planning on ordering from http://www.partsworldperformance.com/
These guys seem to be the cheapest around. Has anyone had experience with Parts World?
If you buy cheap..... you buy twice These guys seem to be the cheapest around. Has anyone had experience with Parts World?
Don't forget that Ultima factory have changed their chassis design at the rear of the car in the roll cage brace department and also some of the new rearmost chassis braces (2013 onwards, I think ?) so the box-shifters packages may not fit.
If you buy from Parts World, I look forward to reading your questions on here, about how you will make it fit / get it running
Best of luck, with whatever you decide.
pilbeam_mp62 said:
... stuff...
You may have a point in that perhaps the people who've had issues had done other things to their installs to cause issues, so who knows, the full story is not always apparent in fairness I think the sensible thing to say is, anyone choosing an AS engine checks with the factory incase there are any on there that struggle with UK emissions. Best route to take to get an absilute view on each AS package.
There are other options for an off-the-shelf pass (as noted) with everything you need, so AS is not the only option. My AB install was totally plug & play, no messing around, fabrication or fettling required. It all arrived in a van, went stright in the car, first up first time and passed it's IVA without issue. I saved many £s in the process too. There may be other providers who can do this too, of course.
PWP don't offer this P&P package to pass IVA (that I'm aware of). However, if anyone is so inclined, it's not hard to fit their kit and with the right knowledge / contacts have an IVA pass, with some cash saved. Horses for courses, but there are options.
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