Newbie with some questions

[solly]

I am the proud owner of a new Ultima GTR purchased yesterday. 550 bhp 383 stroker, G50 tranny. Car does not have a rear wing and I don't believe it has an Accusump, although it has a Canton baffled wet sump.

I am planning on mostly track use, so:

Does the car have enough downforce without the rear wing?

If not, does anyone know where I can obtain a rear wing quickly? (track event at Sebring early April).

Oil pan has 6 quart capacity, plus one in the filter, how much extra oil will be needed for the Accusump?

I would prefer to run slicks, but a previous post warned against this if I don't have an "RJ" suspension. What is an "RJ" suspension? How can I get one? Have any of you tracked your cars with the street tires? Can I run DOT-legal slicks without the RJ suspension?

Any advice on a simple fire suppression installation?

I live in NY, and typically attend track events at Lime Rock, Pocono, Watkins Glen, Summit Point in the summer, and Sebring/Moroso in the winter. I am a member of PDA, SCDA, Trackmasters and the Ferrari club. Hope to meet some of you at some of these events.

Any help with my questions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[builder]

Hi Solly,

Well, congratulations! I have yet to build my GTR. In fact, the kit isn't here yet, but on the way. So, everything I am about to spout is learned from this board, the US Ultima Builders, the US Ultima Club, and builder's sites from around the world. Some practical experience working on various other vehicles...

solly said:

Does the car have enough downforce without the rear wing?

Yes, with exception. A wing will help you in the corners, but slow you on the straights. You have to decide which is more adventageous for the specific track. Where do you spend most of your time; on the corners, or on the straights? If the straights, you might consider running without the wing. I have never been to Sebring, let alone with a GTR. But, my guess is that you would benefit from having a wing and higher corner exit speeds.

solly said:

...does anyone know where I can obtain a rear wing quickly? (track event at Sebring early April).

No clue here. Sorry.

solly said:

Oil pan has 6 quart capacity, plus one in the filter, how much extra oil will be needed for the Accusump?

Be very careful here! You must determine the length and size (capacity) of your feeders to-and-from your Accusump, if you have one. There are a few sizes of Accusump, as well. Find the model number and look at the Accusump site. That is...if it's an Accusump.

solly said:

I would prefer to run slicks, but a previous post warned against this if I don't have an "RJ" suspension. What is an "RJ" suspension? How can I get one? Have any of you tracked your cars with the street tires? Can I run DOT-legal slicks without the RJ suspension?

An "RJ" suspension is a "rose joint" or heim joint suspension. It seems indicated when full-slicks will be the primary rubber. Anything less, and it appears not needed. I gather that most folks run their cars on DOT-legal tires. To build an "RJ" suspension, you would need wishbones at $1374 and rose joints at $1891 (FOB factory). These are the prices I was quoted last week. To fit to an existing suspension, other parts may also be required. It was stated that the standard setup is what 98% of Ultima's customers use.

solly said:

Any advice on a simple fire suppression installation?

The only system I have read about is located here.

solly said:

I live in NY, and typically attend track events at Lime Rock, Pocono, Watkins Glen, Summit Point in the summer, and Sebring/Moroso in the winter. I am a member of PDA, SCDA, Trackmasters and the Ferrari club. Hope to meet some of you at some of these events.

Good luck and keep us posted as to what you do with your car and what you are up to. I am out on the west coast (Reno, NV) and am very anxious to get started with the building process. I wish I had a completed unit right now as it's turning into spring in the Sierras. The mountain roads are calling!

-- Scott

[steve_D]

I think Scott missed that you do not have an Accusump.
You will need one unless you want to go better and dry sump. Go for 6 pint size. Moroso also do a very similar system to the Accusump, they are so alike they either have the same parent company or one is a rip off of the other.

Steve

[solly]

Thanks for the help. I am going to install the big Accusump, and use DOT-legal slicks rather than change to a rose joint suspension. I just spoke with the mechanic who built the car and he sees no reason why it couldn't run full slicks as is, since all 4 corners are completely adjustable.

Hope to meet some of you soon. Thanks again

[GTR4ME]

An Accumsump or a Canton version of the same will not do you any good if you just install a manual version of same as these are just to prevent dry starts without oil.

You need to make sure you use one that has an electic valve. There are two versions of the electric valve. One automattically opens when the ign key is first turned on to make sure you don't have a dry start, and then closes to allow oil and pressure build up in the vessel and will not open again until the ign key is cycled. The other (and the one you want) is what is refered to as an EPC (electric pressure control valve). This valve will supply oil to the engine once the oil pressure goes below a preset value (say when you are in a heavy G turn and oil is not being scavanged by the wet sump oil pump), once the oil pressure gets above the preset value it closes and allows oil and pressure to be build back in the vessel for use the next time. This all occurs automatically by the EPC. The EPC version cost about $150 bucks US for this solenoid.

[steve_D]

solly said:

......I just spoke with the mechanic who built the car and he sees no reason why it couldn't run full slicks as is, since all 4 corners are completely adjustable.........

The adjustment is not the controlling factor.
The plastic bushes used in the standard suspension are fine for a road car but marginal for are hard driven road/track car with standard tyres. They would not be suitable with slicks unless you made your own replacement bushes from some other engineering grade plastic. Others on this forum have done that and could advise the grades used and/or tried and rejected.

Steve

[solly]

Thanks to all of you for the help. I am going to go with the suggested Accusump with ECP.

As to the bushing material I'm going to go to a separate post.