Discussion
DS
There was about £1K difference between an LS3 and LS7 as soon as you wanted to get to about 550hp with 7K rpm.
The other smaller issue is the fact that crate LS7's are available in the UK for immediate collection but DS LS3's are only available in the States (wet sump crate available in UK).
My situation is also different as my business buys the vehicle/parts which makes quite a difference.
The 7 will be standard with potential for more power if I want it but should be nice and reliable.
There was about £1K difference between an LS3 and LS7 as soon as you wanted to get to about 550hp with 7K rpm.
The other smaller issue is the fact that crate LS7's are available in the UK for immediate collection but DS LS3's are only available in the States (wet sump crate available in UK).
My situation is also different as my business buys the vehicle/parts which makes quite a difference.
The 7 will be standard with potential for more power if I want it but should be nice and reliable.
Now into the refit stage.
It is a long-winded process as most things need at least cleaning, possibly painting or buffing. New bolts and nuts where required too.
Ordered a cable operated brake bias remote adjuster this evening to avoid groveling under the dash. Currently thinking of putting an access panel above that area in the body.
With the rather pleasant weather we are having it is a great pleasure to have the workshop doors open. The insulation on the inside of the roof is helping keep the temperature acceptable in there but I have a pheasant who keeps creeping in and crapping on the floor. His days may be numbered if he continues to do so!!!
I hope to get quite a bit done over the extended bank holiday. Guess where I will be next Friday!!!
Paul
It is a long-winded process as most things need at least cleaning, possibly painting or buffing. New bolts and nuts where required too.
Ordered a cable operated brake bias remote adjuster this evening to avoid groveling under the dash. Currently thinking of putting an access panel above that area in the body.
With the rather pleasant weather we are having it is a great pleasure to have the workshop doors open. The insulation on the inside of the roof is helping keep the temperature acceptable in there but I have a pheasant who keeps creeping in and crapping on the floor. His days may be numbered if he continues to do so!!!
I hope to get quite a bit done over the extended bank holiday. Guess where I will be next Friday!!!
Paul
Progressing slowly - bl**dy warm out there this afternoon.
Kyle
Throttle already fitted. I can imagine how difficult it would be with the body on hence the thought about an access panel into both foot-wells under the front clip.
I have had the engine in the chassis to check fitment - back out now. I will give you a call early next week to arrange a day to bring it over.
I ordered a brake balance remote adjuster yesterday and I will fit that too before the bodywork.
I keep adding new bits to the list. Today new silicone pipes and stainless high torque jubilee clips required.
The problem is that everything I install is or looks new so far, so if I can't refurb an item to look new I end up deciding to replace it. It will not be the cheapest refurb but at least it should look good and go well.
I will post some more photos soon.
Paul
Kyle
Throttle already fitted. I can imagine how difficult it would be with the body on hence the thought about an access panel into both foot-wells under the front clip.
I have had the engine in the chassis to check fitment - back out now. I will give you a call early next week to arrange a day to bring it over.
I ordered a brake balance remote adjuster yesterday and I will fit that too before the bodywork.
I keep adding new bits to the list. Today new silicone pipes and stainless high torque jubilee clips required.
The problem is that everything I install is or looks new so far, so if I can't refurb an item to look new I end up deciding to replace it. It will not be the cheapest refurb but at least it should look good and go well.
I will post some more photos soon.
Paul
A couple of pictures for those interested. Slow progress at the moment as refurbishment takes a bit of time but hopefully the results are worth it.
Clutch and brake lines fitted
Rear wheel bearing damage
I will bring my camera to Stoneleigh tomorrow for a bit more information/inspiration.
Paul
Clutch and brake lines fitted
Rear wheel bearing damage
I will bring my camera to Stoneleigh tomorrow for a bit more information/inspiration.
Paul
Edited by Storer on Saturday 30th April 21:35
Sounds a good plan Lee but I am a bit far down the road to do that now and I have the double skin floor which leaves a very small hole near the pedals.
Hopefully with a removable dash top and two access points into the top of the foot wells I should have plenty of access.
Lawrence Farmer is a great name. I am a farmer and my surname is Lawrence so he's got my name!!!
Paul
Hopefully with a removable dash top and two access points into the top of the foot wells I should have plenty of access.
Lawrence Farmer is a great name. I am a farmer and my surname is Lawrence so he's got my name!!!
Paul
robm3 said:
Yikes, I think those only have around 3,000 miles on them since the Factory replaced for me, wonder what happened??
RobYou had new front bearings fitted by the factory. The rear one's were the Ford one's fitted by the original builder (not supplied by the factory).
New rears should arrive tomorrow.
Paul
It's all taking a bit too long.
If you think a build takes a while then a rebuild takes twice as long.
It seems like for every step forward I take at the moment then the next step is backwards again.
The car has had new rear bearings at some point and the hub I stripped today had been butchered with a chisel to get the previous bearing off!! Another new hub tomorrow please Andy!
I could probably "stick" a new bearing on but that's not the way I work. I could have had the rear suspension completed today but for this little problem.
It's a good job I have some cold beer in the fridge to help me chill out or the enthusiasm would have wained somewhat by now.
Paul
If you think a build takes a while then a rebuild takes twice as long.
It seems like for every step forward I take at the moment then the next step is backwards again.
The car has had new rear bearings at some point and the hub I stripped today had been butchered with a chisel to get the previous bearing off!! Another new hub tomorrow please Andy!
I could probably "stick" a new bearing on but that's not the way I work. I could have had the rear suspension completed today but for this little problem.
It's a good job I have some cold beer in the fridge to help me chill out or the enthusiasm would have wained somewhat by now.
Paul
Ok. Time for a bit of an update.
Working a lot at the moment so progress is slooooooow.
All brakes refurbished and rears fitted. A fresh set of wheels and tyres purchased (thanks Jonny).
I am making a few changes but you will have to wait before I reveal them.
I hope to start re-fitting the body next weekend but I need to attend to the crazing in the gel coat as I go. My paint shop owner is holding my hand on the best method of producing an invisible fix. He is currently working on a Maserati Bora and Ghibli. The Bora's paint job is way better than it would have left the factory!
I'm still acquiring "kit" for my workshop.
I purchased a TIG welder a couple of weeks ago. I think I mastered it today (I learned to gas weld about 100 years ago) and it is sooooo cool compared with MIG.
My latest ebay purchase is a Bridgeport Milling machine. Now all I need is lessons on how to use it!!!!!!
It may be a slow rebuild but I am having fun.
I hope to post some pictures soon.
Paul
Working a lot at the moment so progress is slooooooow.
All brakes refurbished and rears fitted. A fresh set of wheels and tyres purchased (thanks Jonny).
I am making a few changes but you will have to wait before I reveal them.
I hope to start re-fitting the body next weekend but I need to attend to the crazing in the gel coat as I go. My paint shop owner is holding my hand on the best method of producing an invisible fix. He is currently working on a Maserati Bora and Ghibli. The Bora's paint job is way better than it would have left the factory!
I'm still acquiring "kit" for my workshop.
I purchased a TIG welder a couple of weeks ago. I think I mastered it today (I learned to gas weld about 100 years ago) and it is sooooo cool compared with MIG.
My latest ebay purchase is a Bridgeport Milling machine. Now all I need is lessons on how to use it!!!!!!
It may be a slow rebuild but I am having fun.
I hope to post some pictures soon.
Paul
Edited by Storer on Sunday 5th June 22:52
A week of sanding (when I have had time) has uncovered a previous repair to the back of the car above the number plate. I am not sure how it happened as there are other panels that protrude around it but I will need to reinforce the area of the damage as it is a weak spot.
Most of the scratches in the gel coat can be sanded out but crazing will need more work. At the moment I am sanding the whole body ready to accept paint before I carry out g/f repair or filling.
It is a slow process but I am improving my tan while doing it!
Paul
Most of the scratches in the gel coat can be sanded out but crazing will need more work. At the moment I am sanding the whole body ready to accept paint before I carry out g/f repair or filling.
It is a slow process but I am improving my tan while doing it!
Paul
Spent the day doing glass fibre repairs. This is all new to me but, like most things, it is quite logical and, as usual, if you plan first it is fairly easy to do.
Lots more to do tomorrow but that should see most of it done.
Decided to replace the fuel tanks as there was some corrosion on the ally making it a bit thin in places. I am going to have them powder coated next week to stop them oxidising.
Another 10 days and I finish a contract which will see me semi-retired, so I should have 5 days a week to spend on the Ultima.
Paul
Lots more to do tomorrow but that should see most of it done.
Decided to replace the fuel tanks as there was some corrosion on the ally making it a bit thin in places. I am going to have them powder coated next week to stop them oxidising.
Another 10 days and I finish a contract which will see me semi-retired, so I should have 5 days a week to spend on the Ultima.
Paul
A couple of pictures of a small mod I made today.
Access hole for the pedals - cut with a dremel
The return created and trimmed
The finished fit. I will insert some fixings and a rubber seal when it's painted.
Getting rid of the speaker holes and filling the gap at the bottom that had an inch high bead of mastic in it when I stripped her down!!!
Paul
Access hole for the pedals - cut with a dremel
The return created and trimmed
The finished fit. I will insert some fixings and a rubber seal when it's painted.
Getting rid of the speaker holes and filling the gap at the bottom that had an inch high bead of mastic in it when I stripped her down!!!
Paul
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