Ultima Advice for a potential buyer
Discussion
Hey guys, potential buyer from the States here looking for advice/information from some of you in the UK that have a lot of experience with these cars. I'm very interested in doing a build of a new Evolution and any input would be much appreciated.
Ordering: I've read about suggested packages for ordering the parts that would coincide with the stages of the actual build but I can't find any online. The factory's only recommendation was to order at least $41k to avoid shipping costs to the states. While that may make sense, it still doesn't help me with what needs to be ordered first other than the obvious items. Are there recommended stages for ordering?
There is a ton of info out there on the GTR and Can Am but not as much on the newer Evo. I understand the factory has made some pretty nice improvements on the newer model. That being said, are there still certain items that are better upgraded or sourced elsewhere based on what past builders have experienced? I ask this question with performance/functionality in mind as I know personal customization can be endless on these cars.
Engines: I've read tons of posts on guys upgrading to an LS platform and it costing in the $15k range but the pricing I got was double that or more for the higher HP options from the factories recommended supplier. Are there special mods that have to be done to fit an LS in this car or am I missing something? Seems to be some big differences in price so I'm just trying to understand why.
Also, anyone on here from the US (East Coast)? I'd love to see one of these cars in person if there was someone willing to let me have a look.
Thanks, B
Ordering: I've read about suggested packages for ordering the parts that would coincide with the stages of the actual build but I can't find any online. The factory's only recommendation was to order at least $41k to avoid shipping costs to the states. While that may make sense, it still doesn't help me with what needs to be ordered first other than the obvious items. Are there recommended stages for ordering?
There is a ton of info out there on the GTR and Can Am but not as much on the newer Evo. I understand the factory has made some pretty nice improvements on the newer model. That being said, are there still certain items that are better upgraded or sourced elsewhere based on what past builders have experienced? I ask this question with performance/functionality in mind as I know personal customization can be endless on these cars.
Engines: I've read tons of posts on guys upgrading to an LS platform and it costing in the $15k range but the pricing I got was double that or more for the higher HP options from the factories recommended supplier. Are there special mods that have to be done to fit an LS in this car or am I missing something? Seems to be some big differences in price so I'm just trying to understand why.
Also, anyone on here from the US (East Coast)? I'd love to see one of these cars in person if there was someone willing to let me have a look.
Thanks, B
Thanks Rowdy!
I'd love to take a trip over and visit the factory but not sure how feasible that is time wise in the near future. I did find an owner here in the States that may be bringing his GTR through my state on the way to an event. If so, I'm going to try and meet up with him to see the car.
I'm leaning more towards trying to swing the entire order at once. Like you said, it will save me shipping and the guy here in the States I've been talking to mentioned that Customs can take forever. So if I only have to do that once, it will be easier. I think the way to go is to source everything from Ultima and make a few minor changes that others have suggested. One being with the fuel system and combining the tanks to work together rather than switching between the two.
I don't think I need a 1000HP SC engine but I would like to be in the ballpark of 700HP with an LS7. I'm going to call my State's DMV today and see what all they require for registering a self built car. There are a lot of options out there but a lot of them are not going to be "street legal".
I'd love to take a trip over and visit the factory but not sure how feasible that is time wise in the near future. I did find an owner here in the States that may be bringing his GTR through my state on the way to an event. If so, I'm going to try and meet up with him to see the car.
I'm leaning more towards trying to swing the entire order at once. Like you said, it will save me shipping and the guy here in the States I've been talking to mentioned that Customs can take forever. So if I only have to do that once, it will be easier. I think the way to go is to source everything from Ultima and make a few minor changes that others have suggested. One being with the fuel system and combining the tanks to work together rather than switching between the two.
I don't think I need a 1000HP SC engine but I would like to be in the ballpark of 700HP with an LS7. I'm going to call my State's DMV today and see what all they require for registering a self built car. There are a lot of options out there but a lot of them are not going to be "street legal".
Ken
I'm in North Carolina. I've been emailing a guy in NY with one that may be going to FL in the next few weeks with his car. I may try and meet him somewhere on 95 and check it out. If that doesn't work out, I may be down for a road trip to FL. It might cost me a day at Disney with the kids but it would be worth it.
I'm in North Carolina. I've been emailing a guy in NY with one that may be going to FL in the next few weeks with his car. I may try and meet him somewhere on 95 and check it out. If that doesn't work out, I may be down for a road trip to FL. It might cost me a day at Disney with the kids but it would be worth it.
Thanks for the advice guys. I think the LS7 is a good platform and probably the way I'll go. I questioned why you'd need more because that's a heck of an engine in a ZO6 and we're talking about a car that weighs less and the weight of the engine is applied more to the rear of the car. I would agree that a supercharged 1000HP in an Ultima has to be more for bragging rights as I don't see how you can fully apply it to the road.
I met with Bob the other week on his way southbound with the Ultima. All I can say is wow! I can't say how awesome it was of him to stop on his trip and even take the car out of the trailer for me. Even got a ride and laid a little rubber in the parking lot. i was amazed at the attention it drew. We met in the parking lot of a restaurant and i'm pretty sure most of the staff was out there taking photos. It was very informative to finally see one in person, and they truly live up to their reputation.
I do have one question with regards to the extended pedal option. I'm exactly 6' tall and the car felt very small to me. I know his pedals were adjusted forward and could go further back, but i read that they offer an option where they're slightly extended for taller drivers. Are other guys in the 6' range going with the standard setup or extended?
I do have one question with regards to the extended pedal option. I'm exactly 6' tall and the car felt very small to me. I know his pedals were adjusted forward and could go further back, but i read that they offer an option where they're slightly extended for taller drivers. Are other guys in the 6' range going with the standard setup or extended?
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