How long did it take to self build your ultima
Discussion
Hi All,
I am considering an ultima as a 40th birthday present to myself.
how long should it take for a fairly competent home mechanic to complete a 'typical' ultima build (i'm aware that you can spend untold additional hours finesseing things if you so wish)
Is it an 'assembly' job (ie does everything pretty well just bolt together as intended) or are you forever scraping knuckles on badly designed bits
Is the kit pretty well comprehensive, or are you forever ordering little bits and bobs. Same for the instructions
Sorry for the newb questions, but i can't find that much info on the practicalities
TIA
I am considering an ultima as a 40th birthday present to myself.
how long should it take for a fairly competent home mechanic to complete a 'typical' ultima build (i'm aware that you can spend untold additional hours finesseing things if you so wish)
Is it an 'assembly' job (ie does everything pretty well just bolt together as intended) or are you forever scraping knuckles on badly designed bits
Is the kit pretty well comprehensive, or are you forever ordering little bits and bobs. Same for the instructions
Sorry for the newb questions, but i can't find that much info on the practicalities
TIA
5 years for me.
That was a result of lack of time and money, plus I wanted to customise various things. Some have built theirs in a matter of months if they have all parts delivered at once, the right tools, the appropriate space and of course time.
If you go the factory route only, as long as you're methodical its fairly simple, especially if the factory were to profit th body for you.
Parts wise they're at the top quality wise, there will always be a degree of persuasion for some parts I'd say, but overall parts are a good deal higher quality than the west fields I've had.
Constantly ordering bits and bobs shouldn't be necessary as each stage is supplied with the correct amount of fittings.
If you want to build a uk kit of this type, the only options for me when I was looking were Ultima and GD. Chose Ultima as I preferred the GTR shape, but GD are exceptionally good alternative.
Probably worth you paying a visit to the factory, or stoneleigh or silver stone classic where you'll be able to see under the skin of some, or post where you are based and there's probably an owner somewhere that will gladly show you around.
That was a result of lack of time and money, plus I wanted to customise various things. Some have built theirs in a matter of months if they have all parts delivered at once, the right tools, the appropriate space and of course time.
If you go the factory route only, as long as you're methodical its fairly simple, especially if the factory were to profit th body for you.
Parts wise they're at the top quality wise, there will always be a degree of persuasion for some parts I'd say, but overall parts are a good deal higher quality than the west fields I've had.
Constantly ordering bits and bobs shouldn't be necessary as each stage is supplied with the correct amount of fittings.
If you want to build a uk kit of this type, the only options for me when I was looking were Ultima and GD. Chose Ultima as I preferred the GTR shape, but GD are exceptionally good alternative.
Probably worth you paying a visit to the factory, or stoneleigh or silver stone classic where you'll be able to see under the skin of some, or post where you are based and there's probably an owner somewhere that will gladly show you around.
I managed to do mine in about 15 months. I reckon about 500 hours build time as an estimate so my wife's patience was tested at times.
Ditto comments above.
I am someone who is sort of handy with tools but by no means a mechanic, and I managed to do it and am happy with the result.
Mark
Ditto comments above.
I am someone who is sort of handy with tools but by no means a mechanic, and I managed to do it and am happy with the result.
Mark
I'm almost 3 years in but went well off piste with the build,can only comment on parts up to rolling chassis as that's where I am. The parts are of good quality and fit well but need a little fettling at times but everything you need to complete each stage is in the package even down to washers and rivets. Factory are local to me and have always been helpful and more that happy for me to pop in and get advice from Jeff and Dave in the workshop when I have been unsure. The build CD can be a little lacking in some areas but there's lots of advice on this forum from people who have been there and done it.
Regards Tim
Regards Tim
15 months for me. I'm an able mechanic (I've built an airplane, restored motorcycles, etc.) and was impressed at the top quality of the various components. The documentation, however, is not up to the standards of my aviation background. No plans and/or proper mechanical drawings, outdated photos on the build CD, not much in the way of measurements provided, etc. That said, the factory support was absolutely first-rate. The entire crew was always accessible by phone and email and they went above and beyond in helping me to diagnose and fix a fueling problem.
So long as you're prepared for some frustration with the process, you won't have any trouble getting through the build.
Ken
So long as you're prepared for some frustration with the process, you won't have any trouble getting through the build.
Ken
Greg_D said:
What's the premium for a factory turnkey build over the equivalent kit?
i don't want to wimp out, but if it is only a couple of grand, it may well be worth it for marital harmony...
Good question. Self-build would be way beyond me.. I struggle to make a sandwich.. but I would assume it is a fair multiple of a couple of grand. £15-20k on top of the kit price maybe? Is there a definitive answer?i don't want to wimp out, but if it is only a couple of grand, it may well be worth it for marital harmony...
It's a tough question to answer as there's so many variables... For me, I was about 20mths, working occasional evenings & weekends, around a full-time job, wife & baby.
They're not a super difficult car to build, but you will have to "fettle" a few things, so will need a good tool selection
Your available time will always be a factor, as well as spec. That said, it's still possible to go non-standard without having to take a time penalty - there are some great options out there
It looks like you're not a million miles away from me in the Mids, happy to meet up and talk more, it's a topic that's worthy of a few hrs chatter!
They're not a super difficult car to build, but you will have to "fettle" a few things, so will need a good tool selection
Your available time will always be a factor, as well as spec. That said, it's still possible to go non-standard without having to take a time penalty - there are some great options out there
It looks like you're not a million miles away from me in the Mids, happy to meet up and talk more, it's a topic that's worthy of a few hrs chatter!
Thanks for the offer lads. I'll take you up on it over the next few months if you don't mind. I've built the single seater in my profile from scratch so am not entirely novice, but it's nice to know that they aren't like some kits where you get 'most' of the parts and have to hammer most of them in place.
I built my Canam in about a year. This was whilst working but with reasonable freedom. The build was not constrained by delay in parts at anytime. The factory did a body prefit and a few final bits in addition to SVA.
Not sure the marriage survived but that was not my fault and hey I still have the car!. This timing was realistic if you work most evenings and weekends. I do think that the build is over 60pct of the enjoyment of the ownership. To be totally honest you never actually finish the build as there is always something that you could add, update etc. Happy building.
Not sure the marriage survived but that was not my fault and hey I still have the car!. This timing was realistic if you work most evenings and weekends. I do think that the build is over 60pct of the enjoyment of the ownership. To be totally honest you never actually finish the build as there is always something that you could add, update etc. Happy building.
3 years. and some months perhaps 4-5 ... the body fit was more difficult than expected since the doors dont fit. secondly i put a audi engine in, which is super great now but was difficult to fit with bi turboes. and the wirring is omg. wtf
but in all it is also the best toy for an adult man to spend time alone.
good luck building
but in all it is also the best toy for an adult man to spend time alone.
good luck building
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