Ultima Can Am Build: A Mini-Diary
Discussion
356Speedster said:
It's hiding in the conservatory, Keith 
It's a good place to put it actually, as I can paint the inside of it, fit the grills & lights, as well as buidling an air intake into the top of it down to the filter. The workshop is spreading 
If you want to add a little sport into the build try doing those jobs in the kitchen or better still the lounge. It's a good place to put it actually, as I can paint the inside of it, fit the grills & lights, as well as buidling an air intake into the top of it down to the filter. The workshop is spreading Steve
I admire those that build one of these cars in a single garage.
The minimum space I could imagine attempting a build in would be a double. I know I a very fortunate to have a large workshop which, at times, doesn't seem anything like big enough!!!
There is no way I would be allowed to bring parts into the house.
Paul
The minimum space I could imagine attempting a build in would be a double. I know I a very fortunate to have a large workshop which, at times, doesn't seem anything like big enough!!!
There is no way I would be allowed to bring parts into the house.
Paul
While more space would always be nice, for the vast majority of the time, the single garage has been fine... the caveat being, some overspill storage is required from time to time While on the dolly, it was easy to do all the hardware build up, as the chassis can just be pushed from side to side as needed.
With the body on, space got tighter, but mostly because of the height of the water heater in the garage and my workbench positioning. With the car on the floor & the rear clom off for painting & grills, etc, it's now back into easy mode. The water heater no longer intrudes and space all round is fine. If I want, I can now roll it onto the drive for max space.
I've done a few jobs sat in the lounge, which does get some huffs and rolled eyes, but they're always clean jobs, so no real probs there!
A Can Am is an easier car to work on because the bodywork comes off in more (smaller) pieces and the doors don't need any width to open, but I'd still say it's not too big an issue to build an Ultima in a single garage.... it just needs a bit more planning
While on the dolly, it was easy to do all the hardware build up, as the chassis can just be pushed from side to side as needed.With the body on, space got tighter, but mostly because of the height of the water heater in the garage and my workbench positioning. With the car on the floor & the rear clom off for painting & grills, etc, it's now back into easy mode. The water heater no longer intrudes and space all round is fine. If I want, I can now roll it onto the drive for max space.
I've done a few jobs sat in the lounge, which does get some huffs and rolled eyes, but they're always clean jobs, so no real probs there!
A Can Am is an easier car to work on because the bodywork comes off in more (smaller) pieces and the doors don't need any width to open, but I'd still say it's not too big an issue to build an Ultima in a single garage.... it just needs a bit more planning
Given how cold it is outside and my general lack of desire to freeze my backside off, I thought I'd do a quick update on the build. It's actually been an exciting week with interior panels going off for trimming, but more importantly the engine firing for the first time! My complete drivetrain, including engine electrical system, fuel system, 911 twin turbo gearbox and exhaust is installed in AB's spare chassis and being prepared for rolling road. Fingers crossed all will go well and I'll take delivery towards the end of the month. In the meantime, here's a short video for you to enjoy...
LS3 V8 & AutoBionics Exhaust
There's plenty of progress made in other areas with all engine bay work now complete and ready for the LS3 package's imminent arrival.
All the sidepod wheel facing surfaces have been PaintShilded...
The wheels have their machined billet centrecaps...
And the electronic servo controlled heater valve is fitted....
There's more updates to come on the interior and electrics, later in the month hopefully. Until then, enjoy the V8!
LS3 V8 & AutoBionics Exhaust
There's plenty of progress made in other areas with all engine bay work now complete and ready for the LS3 package's imminent arrival.
All the sidepod wheel facing surfaces have been PaintShilded...
The wheels have their machined billet centrecaps...
And the electronic servo controlled heater valve is fitted....
There's more updates to come on the interior and electrics, later in the month hopefully. Until then, enjoy the V8!
Wow!! I love your build. The Can-Am is an amazing car...I'm a couple of months from ordering an Ultima GTR, but was thinking about building a Can-AM instead. I'm still on the fence atm. By-the-way, have you seen this video:
http://youtu.be/HW-PvbmF6yA
Very hilarious!
http://youtu.be/HW-PvbmF6yA
Very hilarious!
LSX Fan said:
Wow!! I love your build. The Can-Am is an amazing car...I'm a couple of months from ordering an Ultima GTR, but was thinking about building a Can-AM instead. I'm still on the fence atm. By-the-way, have you seen this video:
http://youtu.be/HW-PvbmF6yA
Very hilarious!
Very funny!http://youtu.be/HW-PvbmF6yA
Very hilarious!
I am swinging between a GTR and Can Am, I suppose I will need to try both nearer the time, but on balance I think the GTR will win out
Mark - The heater valve has been supplied by AutoBionics and is a part they've used sucessfully in the past (so it's a proven replacement). The driver for it is to allow use of an electronic control switch, which gives more options in terms of placement and the finish of the control knob itself.
The GTR / Can Am video is very funny! I saw it last yr, whoever made it up did a great job
As for the coupe vs open top debate, there is no right answer to it. It's not a case of which is "best", it's more a case of which best suits your needs / wants. For me, I have other fast cars with a roof, so I want my weekend extreme toy to be as big an occasion as possible and in my book that starts with not having a roof! Of course, the fact that the Can Am with a wind deflector, sitting about 44ins high at the roll bar, looks (to my eye) more outlandish than a GTR doesn't hurt either
The GTR / Can Am video is very funny! I saw it last yr, whoever made it up did a great job
As for the coupe vs open top debate, there is no right answer to it. It's not a case of which is "best", it's more a case of which best suits your needs / wants. For me, I have other fast cars with a roof, so I want my weekend extreme toy to be as big an occasion as possible and in my book that starts with not having a roof! Of course, the fact that the Can Am with a wind deflector, sitting about 44ins high at the roll bar, looks (to my eye) more outlandish than a GTR doesn't hurt either
356Speedster said:
As for the coupe vs open top debate, there is no right answer to it. It's not a case of which is "best", it's more a case of which best suits your needs / wants. For me, I have other fast cars with a roof, so I want my weekend extreme toy to be as big an occasion as possible and in my book that starts with not having a roof! Of course, the fact that the Can Am with a wind deflector, sitting about 44ins high at the roll bar, looks (to my eye) more outlandish than a GTR doesn't hurt either
Yeah! I totally agree with you that the Can-Am does look more outlandish than the GTR (as impossible as that may seem). I never realized just how exotic it was until I saw one with the top installed. For some reason it reminds me of a Carerra GT. There's a guy on this site that has a red one with a black soft top...very awesome looking car.By-the-way...I love the diamond pleats on your firewall...are you going to carrout that theme to your seats?
The last few weeks have been pretty busy, so I thought I should post up a few pics... The Auto Bionics fuel system with it's 7 litre swirl pot & submerged HP pump is in, along with the necessary pipework for the heater. The AC drier has been moved to accomodate the re-spaced GM AC compressor. Next up is the engine harness (already partially installed) and gearbox, before moving onto the exhaust. This is really quite a milestone, it's starting to look like a car now... more to come next week.
Fuel system & bulkhead complete:
Engine installed:
Fuel system & bulkhead complete:
Engine installed:
While many of the Ultima group were out playing at Stoneleigh this weekend, I was tucked up in the garage playing with shiny bits. The engine bay is drawing close to completion, with only a few finishing jobs to do. This week, I'll have the manifold heatshields complete and hopefully have the AC pipes and gearshift cables done too. It's great to see the car coming together, but the next job is wiring, something I've been putting off for a while! Enjoy the pics....
Paul - I wasn't planning to coat the exhaust from day one, hence the shielding, but I'll see what happens in the future, if I feel it's getting too hot.
Mark - The shield is made from Nimbus sheeting, which is available from place like Demon Tweeks. I made a cardboard template of the base, transfered it to Nimbus and but it out. I then made an upstand, bent 2cm of it 90-degrees under the base and riveted the two together. The piece is then rivnut'd to the chassis. It's very flexible stuff and easy to work with, but you do need to make sure it's secure enough to not flex too much.
Mark - The shield is made from Nimbus sheeting, which is available from place like Demon Tweeks. I made a cardboard template of the base, transfered it to Nimbus and but it out. I then made an upstand, bent 2cm of it 90-degrees under the base and riveted the two together. The piece is then rivnut'd to the chassis. It's very flexible stuff and easy to work with, but you do need to make sure it's secure enough to not flex too much.
356Speedster said:
Paul - I wasn't planning to coat the exhaust from day one, hence the shielding, but I'll see what happens in the future, if I feel it's getting too hot.
Mark - The shield is made from Nimbus sheeting, which is available from place like Demon Tweeks. I made a cardboard template of the base, transfered it to Nimbus and but it out. I then made an upstand, bent 2cm of it 90-degrees under the base and riveted the two together. The piece is then rivnut'd to the chassis. It's very flexible stuff and easy to work with, but you do need to make sure it's secure enough to not flex too much.
Great info Mark ... thanks!Mark - The shield is made from Nimbus sheeting, which is available from place like Demon Tweeks. I made a cardboard template of the base, transfered it to Nimbus and but it out. I then made an upstand, bent 2cm of it 90-degrees under the base and riveted the two together. The piece is then rivnut'd to the chassis. It's very flexible stuff and easy to work with, but you do need to make sure it's secure enough to not flex too much.
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