Discussion
How reliable have you guys found your Ultima to be? I'm talking about those that've self-built. We're muddling through our build and have aspirations of one day doing a Top Marques tour in our Evolution but have reliability as a potential issue. Granted it's about build quality from the individual but it'd still be good to hear your stories.
Cheers
Cheers
Is anything in particular concerning you?
If you have a crate type LS there should be no issues there.
If you have a Porsche gearbox that is new or reconditioned ditto.
There are parts that are consumable and wear faster than normal cars, such as wishbone bushes if you have them, and of course dependant on use, road or track.
I think the main causes of issues if not carefully considered is wiring, fuelling and cooling.
Not sure if the Evo loom has changed from the GTR, but make sure all live circuits are suitable for the intended use, all connectors are clean and all grounds are good and secure. Don't overload any circuits, if you think you're close to capacity, put a separate new one in.
Keep the fuelling simple, the lines away from hot components and any tanks protected and cool. If you have the factory exhaust, well worth putting some nimbus heat shield between the manifolds and tanks imo.
Mark all fittings with torque seal so you can see if any are moving.
Anything you can do to help extract hot air from under the clam is beneficial long term.
Don't ever consider it a build and forget car. Once built and for any decent journey or event, have a checklist and go round the car making sure all is good. Doesn't take long but can save a lot of heartache.
In 7k miles only issue I have had is with blocked fuel filters, but if you have the new tanks that is no longer an issue.
There's no reason if it's well built that it should be unreliable, hope the above helps
If you have a crate type LS there should be no issues there.
If you have a Porsche gearbox that is new or reconditioned ditto.
There are parts that are consumable and wear faster than normal cars, such as wishbone bushes if you have them, and of course dependant on use, road or track.
I think the main causes of issues if not carefully considered is wiring, fuelling and cooling.
Not sure if the Evo loom has changed from the GTR, but make sure all live circuits are suitable for the intended use, all connectors are clean and all grounds are good and secure. Don't overload any circuits, if you think you're close to capacity, put a separate new one in.
Keep the fuelling simple, the lines away from hot components and any tanks protected and cool. If you have the factory exhaust, well worth putting some nimbus heat shield between the manifolds and tanks imo.
Mark all fittings with torque seal so you can see if any are moving.
Anything you can do to help extract hot air from under the clam is beneficial long term.
Don't ever consider it a build and forget car. Once built and for any decent journey or event, have a checklist and go round the car making sure all is good. Doesn't take long but can save a lot of heartache.
In 7k miles only issue I have had is with blocked fuel filters, but if you have the new tanks that is no longer an issue.
There's no reason if it's well built that it should be unreliable, hope the above helps
As an example of the reliability that can be extracted from this car I would sight my recent ring gear failure. The starter ring gear on my GTR broke off a tooth, the genesis of that is unknown. When I pulled the gearbox back to change the ring gear I took the opportunity to look at the clutch. After 27,000 miles behind a 565 hp LS motor the clutch looked new.I could have reused it. The flywheel had zero hot spots on it. I installed a new clutch plate and throwout bearing and buttoned it back up. I will second the thought above about keeping an eye on general tightness (sorry for the lack of a better word) One issue I did catch was the axel bolts on one end of one axel started to back out early in the cars life. I torqued them back up and haven't seen the issue since. I have to think this was a mistake made by me during construction. So far so very good for me. Lee
Edited by ROWDYRENAULT on Monday 25th April 16:03
I would agree the Ultima is reliable. Last year I completed the One Lap of America. Round trip was ~4,700 miles in 10 days completing track sessions every day except for the drive to and from the event. Modified LS1 and G50-01. I would agree with the others, try to protect the fuel (tank and pump)from heat. Coat or wrap the exhaust headers to limit heat as well.
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